Confrontation maybe ... :::: Govt says assurance of FIR withdrawal was only for “peaceful protesters” and did not cover “anti-social elements” who infiltrated Jantar Mantar and other protests

Assurance to CJP on FIR withdrawal was only for “peaceful protesters” and did not cover “anti-social elements” : Centre 

"What senior BJP leader and Health Minister JP Nadda expressed as the government’s assurance was carefully worded. He clearly said there would be no case against protesters and organisers for the activity of protests," a BJP source says.  

This could open avenues for 'confrontation' as a large number of cases are being field in Delhi, Patna, Kolkata and various other parts of the country against 'anti-social elements' and others. 

However, the government sources also said that the Centre is committed to withdrawing FIRs against genuine protesters and also positive on providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide after the NEET-UG exam was cancelled. 

Notably, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has already threatened to resume its agitation, accusing the Centre of backtracking on its promise not to take legal action against protesters.

The official contention is clear - there was "no immunity" extended to those accused of violence or those with a criminal background.

One of the key demands of the CJP before it reached an agreement with the Centre on calling off the protests against paper leaks in Delhi and elsewhere was that cases registered against protesters be withdrawn. 

They have also pointed out that the signed agreement the Centre promised had not yet been handed over.

"It is clear as per law and precedent those who have engaged in violence or have a criminal background should be dealt with according to law,” one minister said on the condition of anonymity.

The Govt side says even in the written communique with the Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk before he ended his 26-day fast, the government committed only to not taking action against “peaceful protesters”. 

The matters related to police actions and 'firing' against protesters was raised by Congress MP, Priyanka Gandhi in Lok Sabha during the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill.

Priyanka Gandhi said,

"What was the need to use tear gas on those students, to lathicharge them, and to use water cannons against them? 

"What was the need to humiliate those young women, tear their clothes, and treat them in such a brutal and inhuman manner? What was the need to use pellet guns and AK-47s against the youth of this country?" 

Meanwhile, the government said there was still 'no signed written pact' between the Centre and the CJP.

That means only "articulation" of the understanding is Health Minister Nadda’s press conference on Saturday with two CJP spokespersons. 

The proposal submitted by the CJP, which was to be returned with the government’s signatures by Tuesday, had not yet been handed over yet.

 

At Saturday’s joint press conference, Nadda had said, “Broadly, their proposal demanded that no FIRs be registered and if there are then they be withdrawn, be they in Delhi or in other BJP-ruled states. We will give a copy of those FIRs to them, and we will not take any action after withdrawing those FIRs… 

There will be no case against protesters and organisers in future for this activity (protests).” 

Technically, the 'advantage' on this with the Government. 

The presence of Kapil Sibal at a CJP press conference wherein the two-month old outfit has threatened to renew the stir, makes it clear that the orgaisation may seek legal remedies vis-a-vis a petition in Delhi High Court or even the Supreme Court. 

The written assurance to Wangchuk before he broke his fast stated: 

“the government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026.”

The BJP governments in Bihar and Assam have announced that they would withdraw cases against protesters detained before 6 pm on July 26 and release those arrested before that cut-off, while maintaining that action would continue against those involved in violence. 

The newly installed BJP Govt in West Bengal has nevertheless continued a crackdown, registering seven FIRs and arresting 16 people in connection with the July 24 violence in Kolkata. 

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has maintained that many of those identified were “not students” but anti-social elements.

Meanwhile, sources says the Centre is exploring avenues to help affected families of students who committed suicide.

As far as compensation is concerned, the government can do much more than just giving cheques. It can even provide jobs to the next of kin, a government source said.

The government or the law enforcing agencies would act against “anti-social elements” involved in the protests only after assessing the current law and order situation. 

The CJP also announced a nationwide legal aid cell and launched an online evidence-gathering platform, SAAKSHI, with Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal announcing a Rs 1 crore corpus to provide legal assistance to protesters facing criminal proceedings.

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