Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The rising online profile of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has attracted a mix of admiration, trolling, and threats. This volatile environment around digital political expression has prompted police intervention to prevent any untoward incident on the ground.
On Saturday, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police deployed security outside Dipke's residence in Waluj after he allegedly received death threats targeting him and his family members. The threats come as his satirical online campaign gains massive nationwide traction amid the ongoing outrage over the alleged NEET examination paper leak and student anger.
Abhijeet recently shared screenshots and videos of the alleged threats on social media, highlighting both support and backlash. Police sources said several messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp warned of 'dire consequences' and threatened to trace and attack his parents and family members.
'The security has been deployed to ensure there is no law and order situation, or any other untoward incident,' said Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar on Saturday, confirming precautionary deployment outside Dipke's home in the Bajajnagar area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Atulkar also conducted a spot visit. 'The security will continue for the next few days to avoid any untoward incident near the Dipke family's residence,' he said, citing growing public curiosity and sharp reactions around Abhijeet's online movement. The security cover comes as Dipke's digital footprint surges. His Instagram and X accounts linked to the CJP have reportedly gained millions of followers within days, with the Instagram handle alone reaching around 22 million followers.
Abhijeet's parents have expressed both pride and concern. Born on September 29, 1995, Dipke hails from a family originally from Santuk Pimpri in Hingoli district, later settling in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after his father, Bhagwanrao Dipke, got a job at the MIDC and retired as a deputy engineer. His mother, Anita Dipke, is a homemaker, while his elder sister is based in the United States.
His mother said his political interest surfaced early. 'Abhijeet has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides on something, he goes ahead with it. That is what worries us,' she said, expressing concern over his possible entry into active politics. She added that politics was 'not a good field' in the current climate and hoped he would avoid that path.
Abhijeet studied at Alphonso English School in Waluj MIDC and completed his higher secondary education in science at SB College. After dropping out of engineering studies in Pune, he shifted to mass communication and journalism from Symbiosis, Pune. He later moved to the United States, where he is currently pursuing a master's degree in public relations.
According to family members, Abhijeet was drawn to public causes as early as Class VIII, during the Anna Hazare movement, when he wore the 'Main Anna Hazare' cap during protests. He later worked with a social media team of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) before launching the now-viral satirical initiative.
