Maharashtra Congress leaders have claimed that the central government's crackdown on the Central Janata Party (CJP) came after an Intelligence Bureau (IB) warning about possible unrest. The CJP had recently launched a campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak.
According to state Congress leaders, the IB alerted the Centre that the CJP's agitation could escalate into widespread protests across the country. In response, the government moved swiftly to curb the party's activities, leading to the detention of several CJP members and the imposition of restrictions on their public gatherings.
Background of the NEET-UG Paper Leak
The NEET-UG paper leak, which came to light earlier this month, has sparked outrage among students and opposition parties. The CJP, a relatively new political outfit, had taken a strong stance, accusing Minister Pradhan of negligence and demanding his immediate resignation. The party had organized marches and sit-ins in several cities, drawing significant support from affected students.
Congress's Allegations
Maharashtra Congress chief stated, "The IB report clearly indicated that the CJP's campaign could lead to unrest. Instead of addressing the genuine concerns of students, the Centre chose to suppress dissent." He further alleged that the government was using intelligence agencies to target political opponents.
The Congress party has demanded a thorough investigation into the paper leak and questioned the timing of the crackdown. "Why was the CJP targeted when they were merely demanding accountability? This shows the government's intolerance towards any criticism," said a senior Congress leader.
Government's Response
The central government has denied the allegations, stating that the actions were taken to maintain law and order. A Home Ministry spokesperson said, "The IB warning was about potential law and order issues, and the government has a duty to prevent any untoward incidents. The CJP's activities were not peaceful and could have led to violence."
Meanwhile, the CJP has called for a nationwide protest on June 1, vowing to continue their demand for the minister's resignation. The party's leader said, "We will not be silenced. The government's heavy-handed tactics will not deter us from seeking justice for the millions of students affected."
The situation remains tense, with both sides digging in. The Congress party has pledged to support the CJP's cause and has called for a joint opposition meeting to plan further action.
