The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leaders paid visits to the students, who have been protesting against examination irregularities, alleged paper leaks and failures in India’s competitive examination system. The protests started in Delhi, the capital city of India, and later transformed into a nationwide mobilisation marked by solidarity marches, sit-ins and demonstrations across several states.
CPI and CPI(M) support protesting students
On the 20th of July, thousands of protesters attempted to march towards the Parliament from the Jantar Mantar area in Delhi, and they were met with heavy police deployment, barricading, tear gas and allegations of baton charges. The crackdown, which left several protesters injured and resulted in multiple FIRs, became a turning point and intensified anger among students, triggering demonstrations in states including Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Kerala. What began as a demand for accountability over examination failures has expanded into a wider confrontation over the State’s response to peaceful protest.
To show solidarity with the protesters, leaders of CPI, General Secretary D. Raja, National Secretary P. Sandosh Kumar, MP, AISF General Secretary Dinesh Seerangaraj and AISF National President Viraaj Devang with CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke went to Jantar Mantar.
In a separate social media post, D. Raja stated that "The remark by the CJI Surya Kant that the he doesn’t have time to watch videos of police brutality against protesting students is disturbing and insensitive. The country has seen countless videos showing police action against peacefully protesting students at Jantar Mantar. Those videos are not entertainment. They are evidence placed before the Court by citizens seeking justice. At a time when people have lost faith in an Executive that chose lathis over dialogue, such a remark from the highest court of the country is deeply insensitive and disappointing. The judiciary is the last hope for citizens when the State violates their rights. Those who came to the Court were not asking for a favour. They were asking for protection of their constitutional rights. Allegations of police brutality against peaceful protesters deserved urgent judicial attention. Democracy cannot survive if the Executive resorts to force and the cries of those seeking justice are left unheard. The country expects constitutional institutions to stand with the Constitution, not turn away from those who seek its protection." And Sandosh Kumar spoke to DCP, New Delhi Range and urged him to refrain from violence and provide security to the peaceful protest.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau member R Arun Kumar and senior leader Brinda Karat visited Jantar Mantar to meet the protesting students and youth and those who were injured in the violence unleashed by the Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces. Addressing the protesting students, Brinda Karat praised their resolve and strongly condemned the police brutality. She reiterated the demand for the immediate resignation of Union Home Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. SFI Joint Secretary Aishe Ghosh accompanied the comrades during the visit.
In a social media post, the Party said, "The wounds are real. The questions remain unanswered. Students and youth demanding accountability for the complete failure of the education system were met with brutal force. Visuals from Delhi suggest the use of shock batons, and at least one protester underwent surgery after sustaining pellet injuries during the July 20 crackdown by the Delhi Police and the Central Armed Police Forces. The truth cannot be buried under official denials. We demand an answer from Home Minister Amit Shah."
(Photo: Deepak Jha)