Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) representative Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday, July 22, warned the Union government that the ongoing protest could witness a much larger mobilisation if the Centre failed to address the demonstrators’ demands, describing the July 20 protest as merely a “trailer”.
Speaking to ANI, Ranka termed the agitation the “biggest movement in India’s post-independence history” and claimed that millions could gather in Delhi if the government continued to disregard the protesters’ demands.
He said the protesters would not remain silent and warned that the movement would intensify in the coming days if their concerns were not addressed.
Ranka also rejected claims that the demonstrators had not maintained peace during the protest. He alleged that the July 20 march remained peaceful until police intervened and used force against the protesters.
According to him, the youth had been protesting peacefully for 31 days while following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. He claimed that unrest began only after police allegedly used force against students.
The CJP representative said the protesters were also seeking an assurance that no further FIRs would be registered against participants. He maintained that the agitation would continue until such a commitment was made.
Ranka further appealed to political parties across the political spectrum to support the movement, saying that leaders from any party, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, would be welcome.
Meanwhile, opposition Members of Parliament were scheduled to stage a protest outside Makar Dwar of Parliament on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue.
