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The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protest as it entered 34th day on Thursday (July 23) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Amid the protest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure action against those involved in exam paper leaks.

The party said that internet services were shut down around Jantar Mantar on Wednesday night, where its supporters have been staging a sit-in, and questioned if the government was preparing for another police crackdown on the agitation.

In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, “Internet service shutdown at Jantar Mantar. Govt planning another brutal crackdown?” In another post, Dipke appealed to police and paramilitary personnel deployed at the protest site not to use force against demonstrators.

Also read: Has CJP protest revealed a chink in BJP’s armour? | Talking Sense With Srini

“Appeal to police and paramilitary forces deployed to crush the protest. Do not obey illegal orders that ask you to beat up innocent protesters. This is your test as well. Will you stand with the people, or with authoritarians,” he wrote.

Modi’s big message

Modi said the welfare and future of the youth are important.

“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” Modi said in a post on X.

CJP’s warning to Modi govt

CJP’s spokesperson Saurav Das warned the Narendra Modi government over police crackdown. “I would sincerely, sincerely, sincerely ask the government to NOT TAKE this risk of cracking down on peaceful protesters. Government is only ignoring the protests at their own peril! (sic),” he wrote on X.

Also read: Fresh police crackdown on Jantar Mantar protesters; tear gas fired, internet cut off

The posts came as protesters continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day after the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, during which the Delhi Police used baton charges and tear gas shells to stop demonstrators from marching towards Parliament.

The CJP has alleged excessive use of force during the police action, while the Delhi Police has maintained that action was taken after protesters attempted to breach security arrangements.

Congress hits back at Nadda

Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday hit back at Union minister J P Nadda for his attack on Rahul Gandhi, saying the former BJP chief’s press conference was an unending series of “what-aboutery” and a sure sign of the ruling regime’s increasing desperation.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said Nadda should have gone beyond “juvenile finger-pointing” at the press conference by first acknowledging the “failures” of the “Pradhan Mantri and the Mantri Pradhan”.

“The Union Health Minister and former BJP President J P Nadda’s late evening press conference to counter Rahul Gandhi’s sharp and pointed exposure of the Modi government is a sure sign of the regime’s increasing desperation,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

“The whole press conference was an unending series of ‘what-aboutery’. Mr Nadda must go beyond such juvenile finger-pointing to first acknowledge the uniquely spectacular nature of the Mantri Pradhan’s and Pradhan Mantri’s failures. Aap chronology samajhiye…,” he added.

Follow live updates of the CJP protest and developments throughout the day, here.