'Use Dialogue, Not Violence': Anna Hazare After CJP Calls Off Jantar Mantar Protest

Social activist Anna Hazare said public grievances should be addressed through peaceful agitation, dialogue and democratic means, hours after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) withdrew its 37-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The 89-year-old activist said democracy- not confrontation or violence- was the only sustainable path to resolving public issues.

“It is democracy, not rule by diktat, and one should always follow the path of democracy,” Hazare said. Drawing from his own experience, Anna Hazare recalled leading 22 hunger strikes without resorting to violence, saying peaceful protests had helped bring about significant legislative changes.

“I did 22 fasts, never used

violence, and because of that, 10 laws were enacted. Creating violence is not right. Whoever the person may be, one should never indulge in violence,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of dialogue, Anna Hazare said tensions and confrontation only delay solutions.

“Any issue gets resolved through dialogue. Dialogue leads to solutions. Creating tension and going down the wrong path will not solve anything,” he said. He also urged governments to pay attention to public sentiment and prioritise people’s welfare.

“One has to see what the public is saying. For the public’s welfare, even if we have to step forward, there’s no harm in it. But public interest must happen. Issues are never resolved by violence but by dialogue among people,” he added.

Anna Hazare’s remarks came as the CJP formally announced the withdrawal of its agitation after a third round of talks with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club of India.

Announcing the decision, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation was ending the protest “in good faith”, with the understanding that the commitments made during the talks would be implemented within the agreed timelines.

The protest, which had continued for 37 days at Jantar Mantar, was called off after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister amid mounting pressure over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.