JAIPUR: Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was slapped by a group of youths while his supporters carried him on their shoulders during a protest at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Monday. The incident triggered a scuffle between the accused and CJP supporters. Police arrested five individuals in connection with the incident and launched an investigation.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Rajarshi Raj, five persons—Rohit Sharma (25), Rakesh Gurjar (30), Ajay Sharma (25), Kuldip Singh (27), and Niket (28)—have been arrested under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The protest, organized by the CJP over the alleged NEET paper leak, flaws in the education system, unemployment, and other youth-related issues, drew hundreds of participants to Shaheed Smarak. Protesters carried placards demanding action against corruption and examination irregularities, and sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to eyewitnesses, Dipke was being carried on the shoulders of supporters as he entered the protest venue when several youths from the crowd slapped him. CJP supporters immediately caught hold of some of the accused and assaulted them before police personnel intervened and brought the situation under control.
After the incident, Dipke wrote on X: “Physical attacks are a sign of fear and cowardice. We will continue to raise our voices peacefully. I am a follower of Gandhi and Ambedkar, and I will keep fighting this battle with peace and love. PS: Dharmendra Pradhan must resign!”
National spokesperson for CJP, Ashutosh Ranka, told TOI: “Hopefully, the police will take suo motu cognisance. Else, we are considering lodging a complaint. It is evident that these people belong to the BJP. Therefore, it is clear that it was orchestrated by the BJP.” Uploading photos of one of the accused, Ranka wrote on X: “BJP k Gunde.” “The people who attacked Dipke all belong to a national party. Their faces have been identified. All of these miscreants will be exposed,” he wrote.
Despite the disruption, the protest continued, with participants raising slogans against paper leaks, corruption, and unemployment. Addressing the gathering after the incident, Dipke urged supporters not to be divided on religious or caste lines and reiterated his demand for accountability over examination irregularities.
“Hindu-Muslim politics will not work. We have achieved freedom through sacrifices and should not be divided on the basis of religion or caste,” Dipke told protesters. He also announced that the party would march to Delhi again on June 20 and would continue its campaign demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
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