The nationwide student movement against paper leaks is taking a new turn every day. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Sourav Das strongly criticized the central government, saying it had completely failed to keep the promise it had made. He recalled that they had temporarily called off their protests only after Union ministers assured them that FIRs registered against students and protesters who had taken part in agitations across the country would be immediately withdrawn.
However, Sourav Das alleged that the Centre had gone back on its word, and that instead of withdrawing the cases filed against students so far, police in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar were illegally arresting protesters. He said they were consulting with lawyers on the matter and demanded that all cases against the victims be withdrawn and detained protesters be released by the next day. He made it clear that otherwise they would resume the nationwide agitation, and that Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh must intervene immediately on this issue.
Meanwhile, political tensions flared between the opposition and the central government over Bihar. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi levelled serious allegations that police had opened fire with AK-47 rifles on students protesting peacefully in Bihar, and had used pellet guns in Delhi. He criticized the Centre for making false promises with the sole aim of silencing the youth. During the “Bihar Bandh” held on July 25, a video of a constable in Siwan district aiming an AK-47 at protesters went viral, following which authorities suspended the constable.
The Supreme Court, the country’s apex court, strongly criticized the police lathi-charge and excessive use of force against students during the protests held in Delhi on July 20. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant made it clear that citizens have a fundamental right under the Constitution to protest peacefully. He expressed anger that using police force against students under the pretext of the protests was in no way an appropriate action.
While upholding the right to peaceful protest, the Chief Justice observed that there is a need to draft clear, uniform guidelines nationwide regarding police conduct. Hearing the petitions filed by the victims, he warned that police must not act in a manner that tramples on citizens’ democratic rights.
At the same time, the Supreme Court bench expressed concern over disruptive elements creating anarchy within the protests. Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked that it was unacceptable for miscreants to infiltrate peaceful demonstrations and launch attacks on police personnel. He noted that in a democracy, the lives of on-duty police officers are just as important as those of the protesters, and suggested that protesters should exercise self-discipline without resorting to violence.
The petitioners urged the bench to order an independent investigation into these incidents and to preserve key electronic evidence such as CCTV footage from the sites and police body-camera recordings. They also requested that the Centre and state governments be directed to pay adequate compensation to students and protesters seriously injured in police violence.
The apex court also made significant remarks on petitions seeking that NEET and other competitive exams be conducted securely through an online system. It stated that it was awaiting the report of the high-level task force set up by the central government to permanently prevent question paper leaks in exams conducted by the NTA.
The Supreme Court clarified that it would issue appropriate orders on this matter only after examining the recommendations of this high-level committee, headed by Nandan Nilekani, on the online examination system and technical security standards. This report will be crucial in determining whether the digital approach can curb leaks.
Overall, the paper leak crisis has grown more complicated, with the Centre failing to honor its promise to withdraw cases on one hand, and the Supreme Court expressing anger over excessive police action on the other. The bench announced that the next hearing on these petitions has been adjourned to Tuesday.