CJP Protest Evokes Bangladesh's Jihadi‑Led Student Movement, Says Taslima Nasreen

At a press conference in Kolkata on Sunday, Bangladeshi author‑activist Taslima Nasreen said the recent Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar reminded her of the student uprising that shook Bangladesh two years ago. She hinted that, in her view, that earlier movement had been steered by “jihadis”, a claim that quickly sparked debate on social media.

Nasreen recalled watching a short video clip of the CJP rally. “It looked a lot like the Bangladesh protests we were fooled by,” she said, adding that the visual similarity made her uneasy. She clarified later on X that she wasn’t equating the two struggles, but the imagery, she argued, sparked memories of a “disastrous” outcome in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has taken a different route. On July 29, the Home Department announced that, apart from individuals with prior criminal records, no adverse legal action would be taken against those who joined the CJP protest over alleged NEET‑UG exam leaks. The statement promised a swift review of any existing arrests and the release of detainees where appropriate. By that evening, thirteen FIRs had been lodged against participants.

“The protection, however, shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated by the Supreme Court,” the order read, underscoring the government’s attempt to balance law‑enforcement with political sensitivities.

Earlier, on July 24, Nasreen had already drawn parallels between the Delhi demonstration and Bangladesh’s July 2024 student-led movement, warning that similar tactics could lead to “disastrous” consequences. Her comments were met with criticism, prompting her X clarification that the comparison was visual, not ideological.

On the activist front, CJP member Abhijeet Dipke appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to go beyond a social‑media “forgiveness” and order the police to withdraw all pending cases against the students. “Don’t just post a ‘forgive’ meme on Instagram; tell the police to drop the charges,” he told ANI.

The CJP’s 37‑day sit‑in at Jantar Mantar, which featured Sonam Wangchuk’s 26‑day hunger strike, forced the central government to make concessions: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, compensation was promised to families of aspirants who took their own lives, and the FIRs were slated for withdrawal.

Nasreen’s comparison, the Delhi government’s legal reprieve, and the CJP’s push for a full amnesty together illustrate how a single protest can ripple across borders, media narratives, and policy decisions.