Punjab’s education minister, Harjot Singh Bains joined the Cockroach Janta Party’s Jantar Mantar protest yesterday i.e. 20th July. He shared the ground reports from the protest site and gave the actual view of the situation in New Delhi. He said that the ongoing situation at Jantar Mantar were ‘deeply unfortunate’. To this he added, that it seemed like it was ordered to make Delhi free of all protestors.
Situation at the protest site
Talking about the situation, he said that protestors were seen throwing stones at the Delhi police appointed at the location. According to him, it was equally wrong and “Violence from either side is objectionable and weakens the objectivity of the protest”. Bains urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and prioritise their safety, stating that there are many effective ways to carry forward a movement without resorting to confrontation. He also claimed that police were continuing to remove protesters from different parts of the city.
Violent actions from both sides
Talking about the violence at the protest site he said that, in 2 hours of his presence, he saw police and security beating the young protestors causing them major injuries while the police was also being attacked in retaliation and in defence of the students. He urged the Gen-Z that the police appointed are also the nation’s brothers and sisters and violence should be created.
Gen-Z Movement
Bains described the movement as a “Gen-Z movement”. In support of this he said, that the protest had attracted college and university students from different parts of India, who had gathered to support climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and demand stricter measures to prevent examination paper leaks. He informed that Jantar Mantar and approximately 10km of area near the protest site was packed with college and university students supporting the protest. He added that this Gen-Z movement is clearly not confined to Social media.
Responsibility as an Education Minister
Talking in the video, he said that the purpose of joining the protest and being a part of the movement was his sole responsibility as an Education Minister. In support of the protestors he claimed that strict laws and actions should be made to curb the paper leaks and the wanted the government to engage in conversation with the protestors.
Appeal to the centre government
Harjot Bains stated "If the government continues to overlook these concerns, it will face the consequences. Set aside your ego and hold talks with Sonam Wangchuk," appealing the centre government to put forward dialogue.
