The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced on Monday that it shall launch a dedicated online portal to connect protestors facing legal action with lawyers across the country, with senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal pledging Rs 1 crore towards a nationwide legal aid fund. 

The outfit made the announcement amid fresh allegations by Opposition parties that in several states, police had begun tightening the reins on students, detaining them, despite an alleged assurance from the Union government that no punitive action would be taken against peaceful protestors. 

Kapil Sibal weighs in at press conference

While addressing a press conference alongside CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, Sibal said that the proposed website would serve as a legal platform and would pave the way for the protestors to document cases registered against them, as well as help them in accessing legal assistance.

Sibal added that the portal will maintain details of incidents from across the country, shall identify affected students and protestors and record the legal action initiated against them.

He went on to say that advocates willing to provide pro bono legal services would be able to register themselves on the platform by specifying their location and the nature of legal assistance they could offer. He then announced an initial contribution of Rs 1 crore and pleaded to the lawyers as well as the commoners across India to support the initiative financially. 

He asserted, “I will contribute Rs 1 crore and urge lawyers across India and others to contribute to this fund so that wherever the law is misused and false cases are filed against peaceful protestors, we will stand with them.” 

Akhilesh Yadav alleges students illegally detained in UP

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav alleged that several students protesting against exam irregularities had been picked up by the UP police in connection with Prayagraj protests. 

He shared visuals from a local television channel on his official ‘X’ handle and questioned the reported action, claiming it contradicted the Centre’s assurance that no student would face police action.

Furthermore, he demanded the immediate release of the detained students and sought the suspension of senior police officials allegedly responsible for the operation. He also urged the Supreme Court (SC) to take suo motu cognisance of what he termed a serious threat to the safety and rights of protesting students. 

Congress extends legal support to students

Congress also echoed similar sentiments and condemned the alleged police action, announcing legal assistance for students who have received legal notices, or have been either detained, summoned for questioning or had their social media posts removed. 

The party urged the affected students to contact its legal support helpline, promising that the Indian Youth Congress, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Indian National Congress would provide all possible legal assistance to them. 

CJP warns of fresh agitation

Earlier in the day, the CJP issued a public ultimatum to the Union government, alleging a complete breach of an understanding that no police action would be taken against peaceful protestors after the negotiations held recently. 

The party claimed that police forces have arrested hundreds of students in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers assisting protestors were either allegedly being detained or were being subjected to harassment and surveillance.

It demanded that all FIRs registered against protestors be withdrawn immediately, detained students must be released and no police action must follow in the future, while seeking a written assurance from the Centre by Tuesday. 

The outfit also warned of fresh agitations if the demands were not met, signalling the possibility of fresh nationwide mobilisation in the coming days.