Rayat Kranti Sanghatana president Sadabhau Khot sparked controversy by labeling the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protesters as “terrorists.” He dismissed calls for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, emphasizing that the government should not entertain such demands. Khot alleged a conspiracy behind the chaos caused by paper leaks and mentioned that culprits had been apprehended with ongoing investigations.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Khot for his terrorist remarks towards the protesters, accusing him of betraying farmers for personal gain. Wadettiwar expressed sympathy for the youth protesting against paper leaks, condemning the violent attacks on them and highlighting the importance of peaceful protests.
Shiv Sena MLA Bacchu Kadu advised Khot to retract his statement, emphasizing the historical significance of agitation and protests in the country’s fight for independence. State Minister Shambhuraj Desai reiterated the right to protest in a democracy but condemned violence and stone-pelting, clarifying that protesters, even if students, should not be labeled as terrorists.
Shetkari Sanghatana founder Raju Shetti denounced Khot’s statement, alleging close ties between individuals involved in paper leaks and the RSS and BJP. Shetti supported the students’ demand for an end to malpractices and called for Pradhan’s resignation on moral grounds, suggesting that if not, Prime Minister Modi should step down. Social activist Anjali Damania criticized Khot’s arrogance of power, questioning his understanding of education and the essence of agitation.
The CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar turned violent as the group planned to march towards Parliament, leading to a lathi charge by Delhi Police and severe injuries among protesters. The incident has heightened political tensions nationwide, eliciting varied reactions from political figures in Maharashtra.
