Tensions erupted in Rajasthan's Jaipur district on Friday after a team of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleged that its members were assaulted and vehicles vandalised during a visit to a government school in Rampura Kanwarpura village. The CJP alleged that BJP workers were behind the confrontation, while villagers rejected the charge and said they did not want the school issue to be politicised.
The CJP delegation had reached the village as part of its 'School Thik Karo' campaign, under which the party has been inspecting government schools and highlighting alleged deficiencies in infrastructure and facilities.
According to CJP members, the team was confronted by locals who allegedly used sticks, pushed volunteers and pelted stones. The party also claimed that vehicles were damaged during the confrontation.
CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka, speaking from the spot, accused the police of failing to intervene and alleged that the attack had been planned.
“Stone pelting was already happening there, but the Police remained mute spectators,” Ranka alleged.
He further claimed that volunteers were injured and vehicles damaged, demanding arrests within 48 hours. Ranka also linked the confrontation to the CJP's campaign to inspect the condition of government schools.
The CJP said its visit was aimed at examining the condition of the school, which it alleged had been operating from a makeshift cattle enclosure after the main building was declared unsafe.
Ranka alleged that the school had been functioning from a buffalo shed for about a year and said the party wanted the authorities to address the situation.
CJP team member Sanju also alleged that the delegation was attacked soon after arriving at the village.
“They hit us with sticks, pushed us, and even pelted stones at us,” Sanju alleged, adding that he had suffered an injury to his hand.
CJP founder blames BJP, questions police
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also alleged that BJP workers were responsible for the attack. In a post on X, Dipke said, “Ashu has been attacked by BJP goons in Rajasthan,” and claimed that other CJP volunteers had also been injured. Dipke further questioned the response of the Rajasthan Police, alleging that the force had remained a “mute spectator” during the confrontation.
Ranka separately alleged that the people involved were not local villagers but men allegedly brought to the spot by the BJP. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Villagers gave a contrasting account, denying that they had attacked the CJP delegation. According to the villagers, the confrontation was largely a heated exchange over the party's visit to the school.
One villager told PTI that the community did not want the matter to become political.
“We don't want to politicise the issue. Rs 12 lakh has been approved for our school. Villagers are capable of building the school,” the villager said. The villager also alleged that residents objected to views attributed to the CJP concerning Lord Ram and the country's unity. These claims, like the CJP's allegations of assault and BJP involvement, could not be independently verified.
