NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the police action against student protesters during the CJP’s march to Parliament in Delhi.He called the previous day a “Black Day” for Indian democracy and demanded that July 20 be observed annually as “Coward’s Day,” news agency PTI reported.Addressing a press conference, Raut said the country’s youth had expressed their anger in a democratic manner and alleged that police used “inhumane” force against the protesters.“Yesterday, the youth power of the country expressed their anger and outburst in a way that we consider as democracy. The kind of inhuman lathi charge, tear gas, dragging, breaking legs, and splitting heads that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah’s government and their police did on those young boys and girls,” Raut said.Repeating his demand for a symbolic observance, Raut said, “That’s why I said yesterday was a very dark day in Indian democracy, a ‘Black Day’. From now on, July 20th should be observed as ‘Coward’s Day’.”Raut said he remained in touch with the protest leaders throughout the night and also visited the protest site.His remarks came a day after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists marched towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.According to Delhi Police, the protest left more than 118 police personnel injured, while more than 60 protesters were also reported injured.Earlier, CJP spokespersons met Union health minister JP Nadda and pressed three demands: Pradhan’s resignation, compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of NEET aspirants, more than 20 of whom the CJP claims have died, and the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, who remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after being taken from the protest site.CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke has vowed to continue the agitation, accusing police of using violence against protesters.The protest has triggered strong reactions from the Opposition over the government’s handling of the demonstrations.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also alleged that “students were beaten for asking legitimate questions about their own future.”Gandhi demanded a detailed discussion during Parliament’s Monsoon Session on the alleged police brutality against students and the NEET examination paper leak controversy in a post on X.(With agency inputs)
