Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday stressed that public grievances should be addressed through peaceful protests and dialogue, hours after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called off its 37-day agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Hazare said democracy offers the most effective way to resolve public issues, warning that confrontation and violence only weaken people’s movements.
“It is democracy, not rule by diktat, and one should always follow the path of democracy,” Hazare said.
Recalling his own years of activism, the 89-year-old said he had led 22 hunger strikes without resorting to violence, adding that peaceful movements had resulted in significant legislative reforms.
“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.
Hazare emphasised that constructive dialogue remains the key to resolving conflicts and urged both governments and citizens to engage through democratic means rather than confrontation.
“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 called on governments to remain attentive to public concerns and place citizens’ welfare above all else.
“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.
Hazare’s remarks came shortly after the CJP formally announced the end of its month-long protest following a third round of discussions 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 withdrawing the agitation “in good faith”, expressing confidence that the assurances given by the government during the talks would be implemented within the agreed timelines.
The protest, which had continued for 37 days at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities, ended after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union education minister amid mounting public and political pressure.