Days after its confrontation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre came to a halt with the resignation of former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) seems to have found itself on a collision course with BJP-ruled states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
Also read: SC questions police excesses on students; uproar in Parliament over crackdown
As the governments of the three eastern states take strict action against protesters who joined the recent agitations there, the outfit asked the authorities to abide by the promise that the Centre made on Saturday (July 25) that no punitive action would be taken against the demonstrators and urged the release of those detained in those states.
It also warned of legal action.
On Monday, the CJP expressed concern over the protesters’ arrest in Bihar, Bengal and Assam.
CJP warns Bihar, Bengal CMs
In a post on X made on Monday, it asked Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and his Bengal counterpart Suvendu Adhikari not to violate the assurance that was given by Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and drop criminal cases slapped on protesters.
Dear @samrat4bjp & @SuvenduWB,
Don’t break the assurance given by @JPNadda & @DrJitendraSingh. Drop all criminal cases put on the protestors.
— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 26, 2026
The CJP’s message saw a backlash as many netizens backed the states’ actions with one saying such steps were being created against “criminals” and that law and order is a state subject.
In another post, the CJP appealed to the police across the country to adhere to the “Delhi Agreement” and not to take action against any student.
Also read: The Cockroach Effect: Two new online movements now target E20 fuel, caste quotas
Chief spokesperson Saurav Das issued a statement the same day saying they were deeply concerned by reports about students and other protesters being targeted, detained or arrested by various state agencies, particularly in Assam, Bengal and Bihar. Saying that the CJP called off the nationwide protests on the condition that the Modi government would not punish the protesters, he said the reports emerging from the three states were worrying.
It also gave an ultimatum, seeking assurance in writing by Tuesday (July 28) that the government’s commitments are met. Das said any U-turn from the assurance would mean a “breach of trust” for several youths who prioritised dialogue over protests.
Also read: Bihar cop seen with AK-47 in Siwan protest suspended; probe launched
In Bihar’s Siwan, police firing injured at least three protesters as anti-paper-leak demonstrations turned violent across the state. One policeman was suspended after a video showed him firing from an AK-47 against the protesters. In Bengal, CM Adhikari said 70 people identified for attacking police and journalists during a protest in Kolkata on Friday (July 24) would face action under the state’s new anti-goons law. In Assam, six were arrested and over two dozen detained during solidarity protests in Guwahati.
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