The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) expressed its disapproval concerning the initiation of a criminal case against a woman, Ruchika Singh, accused of making derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest in Delhi. This protest took place at Jantar Mantar on July 23, where demonstrators were rallying against alleged discrepancies regarding the NEET examination.

Saurav Das, the spokesperson for CJP, articulated that those who feel aggrieved should pursue civil defamation actions rather than resorting to criminal charges. He remarked that while language that may be viewed as objectionable should not be overlooked, subjecting protesters to criminal prosecution might negatively influence free speech.

Das stated, “If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned. However, the use of the criminal justice machinery against protesters is highly condemnable.” He indicated that merely using objectionable language should not warrant punitive measures.

CJP’s Concerns About Free Speech

Reiterating his concerns, Das emphasized that invoking the criminal justice system for such remarks would create a chilling effect that could deter free expression, especially among the youth. He advised young protesters to be judicious in their choice of words but maintained that criminal actions were inappropriate and excessive.

“I would request the younger generation to be very careful about the words they use and the kind of insults or remarks they make. That said, the use of the criminal justice machinery is a big no-no,” he added, highlighting the necessity for restraint in expressing dissent.

Das also appealed to law enforcement to avoid misusing their powers for political purposes, underlining that the focus should remain on serious issues rather than targeting young demonstrators. Following this, he reiterated his stance on social media, characterising the case against Singh as misuse of police authority.

Details Surrounding the FIR Against Ruchika Singh

The First Information Report (FIR) against Ruchika Singh was lodged on July 29 at the Expressway police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar, based on a complaint from Ghaziabad resident Smriti Singh. The complaint alleged that Singh’s remarks compromised the dignity of the Prime Minister’s constitutional office and were purportedly designed to incite hatred and disrupt public peace.

As a result of these claims, police filed charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 352, 353(1), and 356(1), which relate to provocation of breach of peace, public mischief, and defamation, respectively. The classification of a Zero FIR allows any police station to record a case regardless of jurisdiction, thus preventing delays in investigation.

This case has its roots in a larger movement led by the CJP, which focused on addressing irregularities during the NEET examinations. This agitation lasted for 36 days, concluding on July 25, after various confrontations with police and the eventual resignation of the then Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests ceased when the Centre agreed to key demands raised by the demonstrators.

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