CJP Protests: As CJI Looked On, SCBA Chief Urges Judicial Enquiry Into Lathi-Charge On Students

In a hard-hitting speech primarily dealing with the students protests on NEET question paper leak and resultant actions, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh has sought a judicial inquiry into the lathi-charge and other excessive actions during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.

Significantly the remark was made at a time when Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was present on the dais and the occasion was the Independence Day celebration organised by the SCBA in the Supreme Court.

"While we have developed infrastructure, we have developed institutions... we need to introspect why in spite of more colleges added in this country, in spite of jobs being created, why our own students are on the street... obviously something is wrong in the system... I know Supreme Court is grappling with the issue also regarding the unfairness in the entire exam system. Large scale leaking of question papers and instances where undeserving became beneficiaries... meritorious not getting admission... viksit bharat cannot be achieved when students are on the road protesting," he said.

Speaking further, Vikas Singh said, "We need to inculcate a sense of pride in this institution that no student ever will do which the NALSAR students have done. We need to create a situation where everyone believes in this institution... nobody should question the motive of any judge probably... I have not appeared in that matter... I think the CJI will go a long way by ordering a judicial enquiry into the lathi-charge."

The CJP-led youth protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the NEET question paper leak, which lasted for 36 days, culminated in the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

When the protesters tried to march to Parliament on July 20, the Delhi police blocked their way and used force to disperse them, triggering clashes between the two sides.

The CJP withdrew its protest on July 25 following the resignation of Pradhan and talks with the government, which accepted the agitators' demands.

With inputs from PTI