New Delhi : Protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi continued as thousands of supporters from different age groups gathered to raise their voices against the alleged lathi-charge on students during a march towards Parliament on June 20. The protest was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, whose supporters alleged that police action against young demonstrators was excessive.
Abhijeet Dipke, Founding President of the Cockroach Janta Party, expressed regret over the incident and apologised to supporters, particularly women protesters who he claimed were subjected to violence during the police action.
He said, “I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police.”
He further alleged that the government used excessive force against protesting students and raised concerns over the condition of injured demonstrators. He claimed that a girl injured during the alleged lathi-charge was in critical condition at RML Hospital.
Meanwhile, several opposition leaders visited Jantar Mantar to meet students and express solidarity with the protesters.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar visited the protest site to inquire about the alleged police action and meet injured students.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal also reached Jantar Mantar and extended support to students who were injured during the protest. He said that “Modi ji doesn’t have his own children, so he doesn’t know what it is to have children. All these are our children. It is not right to beat up children. FIRs have been registered against students. I want to tell the students to stand firm. Even the biggest dictator has to bow down before the public.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray offered legal assistance to protesters in Maharashtra, stating that young Indians protesting across the country should not face police action and legal cases for raising their concerns. He demanded withdrawal of cases registered against protesters.
Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda visited Lady Hardinge Medical College to meet people injured during the protest and take stock of their condition.
The incident has triggered a political debate over the handling of student protests, the use of police force and issues related to youth aspirations, education and employment opportunities.
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