Greta Thunberg stands in solidarity with CJP-led student protest (Image: X@/epppyyy)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg on Sunday expressed support for the CJP-led student protest over irregularities in the education system, saying their movement demonstrated “the true meaning of people power.” Speaking at a gathering organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in London, Thunberg said the students’ fight for justice and the broader struggle for democracy and liberation was a shared cause that required international solidarity.”The Indian Student Protest, has made us all proud! They have given us hope! They show what we can accomplish when people come together and resist. They show the true meaning of people power. The Indian student’s struggle for justice and the broader struggle for democracy and liberation is also our struggle. So we all have to come together now and rise up in solidarity with India,” said Greta Thunberg. She was attending a gathering organised by SFI in London,” she said while addressing the gathering. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) UK organised the weekend gathering, describing it as a celebration of the movement’s victory. “SFI UK salutes the struggle of the student movement and its success in pushing the education minister to resign,” SFI UK said in a statement. “The fight has been very inspiring and courageous. But it has certainly not yet come to an end. We continue to grieve for the 21 students who have lost their lives due to the handling of NEET, and of course, the brutal police repression against protestors,” it stated.The developments come after the 36-day agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) culminated in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister.The protest, which began on June 20, gathered momentum after police action against demonstrators on July 20 and went on to receive backing from several student organisations and activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, who undertook a prolonged hunger strike in solidarity with the movement.The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced on Saturday that it was calling off the 36-day agitation after the Centre agreed to its remaining demands, including compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and the withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters.Calling the past 36 days “really, really difficult”, CJP leader Dipke thanked supporters across the country for backing the fledgling outfit despite widespread scepticism about its campaign.
