Jantar Mantar Protest LIVE: RAF Probes Alleged Use of Pellet Guns during Delhi
Wiki Article
The current protests at Jantar Mantar stopped in focus on
Friday as the management and governments of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
held thoughts at the Components Club of India. The meeting charted the Centre's
reported agreement to the CJP's demand that the talks be directed at a neutral
venue.
The negotiations come amid continued protests by students and
protesters demanding responsibility over alleged cheque indiscretions and paper
leaks. The CJP has continued that the removal of Union Teaching Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan would represent the heaviest possible government response to
the issue.
The growths followed Prime Minister Narendra
Modi's statement that the management would announce
legislation in the assembly aimed at imposing stricter penalties for inspection
paper leaks.
RAF under Scrutiny over Alleged Pellet Gun Use
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said
on Friday that it was confirming media reports about the alleged use of pellet
guns by workers of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) through a July
20 march towards Assembly in New Delhi.
The development comes after reports confirmed that pellet
guns were used compared to strikers during the protest. The allegations have
driven questions over the behaviour of security workers during the protest and
the use of force compared to that of protesters.
The CRPF's verification process is expected to establish the
circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any security
personnel used pellet guns during the march.
Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike
Activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk ended his
unlimited lack of food strike, resulting in declarations from the government as
regards his demands.
Wangchuk in fact called off his fast before Union ministers JP
Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital
in Gurugram late Thursday night and conveyed the government's assurances.
His decision to end the hunger strike came after weeks of
protest and amid increasing attention to the stresses raised by students and
activists. Wangchuk had been calling for better accountability over checking
wrongdoings and had also sought assurances that young activists would not face
punitive or retaliatory legal action for joining in the movement.
Congress Criticises Government Over University
Advisories
The political debate immediately preceded the protests, which
increased on Friday after Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal
Nehru University (JNU) reportedly issued advisories urging schoolgirls
to stay away from the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
The Congress criticised the government over the growth,
alleging that educational institutions were being used to dissuade students
from participating in protests.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge
accused the government of attempting to undermine student voices instead of
addressing the protesters' demands.
"Instead of making Dharmendra Pradhan resign and then
start a meaningful discussion on the education system, Modi-Shah have resorted
to denigrating our centres of learning," Kharge said, according to the
party's statement.
He further alleged that the government's policies had
contributed to growing dissatisfaction among young people and students.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised
the reported advisories and questioned whether students were being threatened
for exercising their democratic rights.
Government-CJP Talks Underway
The government-CJP meeting at the Structure Club is being
closely observed as both sides seek to address the concerns that have fuelled
the student-led drive.
The CJP has continued to press for culpability over
examination peccadillos and has maintained its demand for action against those
responsible for alleged paper leaks. The group has also highlighted the need
for reforms to ensure greater openness and fairness in the country's education
and investigation systems.
The organisation's proposed regulation on paper leaks is
expected to become a key theme of discussion as the assembly considers events
aimed at avoiding examination-related efficiency.
Protests Continue to Draw Political Attention
The Jantar Mantar protests have occurred as a major political
and social issue, depicting involvement from students, activists, opposition
leaders, and civil society organisations.
Though the government has directed a disposition to engage
with protest governments, queries continue over the application of the words
made to Wangchuk and whether the constant thoughts will lead to real action.
The expected use of pellet guns during the July 20 march has
also added an extra layer to the disagreement, with the CRPF's review probably
intended to provide additional simplicity to the actions of RAF personnel.