CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and volunteers were allegedly assaulted by a mob during a school infrastructure inspection in Jaipur's Rampura Kanwarpura.
The clash erupted over the dilapidated state of a government primary school where students are currently forced to study inside a buffalo shed.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused ruling BJP workers of orchestrating the violent attack to cover up the state's failing education infrastructure.
A group of people allegedly assaulted Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and several volunteers during a school visit in Jaipur's Rampura Kanwarpura village on Friday. The clash broke out when the team arrived to inspect the state-run primary school's infrastructure as part of their "School Thik Karo" campaign, PTI reported.
One volunteer suffered a fractured arm in the attack and the windows of the CJP vehicles were smashed. CJP leaders stated that ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were behind the assault to stop the inspection.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted on X: "What the F is happening in Rajasthan?????" He alleged that "goons of BJP" were targeting CJP volunteers and questioned why police allowed the incident to happen. Bagru DSP Dharmendra Sharma said he was unaware of the development.
Clash Over Dilapidated School
The dispute stems from the poor condition of the government primary school in Rampura Kanwarpura. Authorities had declared the building unsafe because sections of the roof and support beams decayed, forcing its closure. Consequently, students have been shifted to a buffalo shed about 50 metres from the main building, where they study under a tin roof next to animal fodder.
The confrontation began when the CJP team approached the village. A group of people barricaded the main road and checked entering vehicles. The standoff escalated into stone-pelting and a physical clash, forcing the CJP activists out of the village. The team had planned to inspect two schools that day, including another facility at Bhatta Wala on Vatika Road.
Ranka said the BJP sent men to block the inspection. "Children are being taught in a buffalo shed, and to stop us from exposing this, the BJP is sending its goons," Ranka said in a social media post.
A video of the incident purportedly shows a crowd chanting "Jai Shri Ram" while confronting the CJP team. Following the clash, villagers and BJP workers staged a sit-in protest outside the school. The protesters raised slogans against the CJP, claiming the building could be repaired locally and that government funds had already been sanctioned.
Controversy Over School Entry
The dispute follows an August 15 CJP protest over school conditions in Thanagazi, Alwar. That protest ended after the administration gave written assurances to repair the school building, construct additional classrooms and provide drinking water.
On August 16, the Secondary Education Department issued directions restricting the entry of outsiders and journalists into government schools. The order requires prior written permission from the principal or headmaster to enter classrooms, take photographs, record videos or live stream. The department warned that violations could invite legal action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Opposition leaders strongly criticized the restrictions. Congress MLA Sachin Pilot said the government is trying to hide its failures. "State Govt has issued a fresh order that no journalist can enter a school, no photos can be taken, and nothing can be reported. They want to keep their failures hidden. The bad condition of schools - dilapidated buildings and children have died. The situation is very serious. Instead of taking remedial measures, Govt is issuing such orders. They will have to withdraw this order. This is not the right direction for our democracy..." Pilot said.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar said there was no blanket ban on media entry but clarified that permission is required before interviewing, photographing or filming students, particularly minors.
Ranka accused the education minister of adopting an authoritarian approach to hide the poor state of education. "The education minister is adopting an authoritarian approach to hide the poor state of education in Rajasthan. We will not be intimidated by the government's order. Our mission will continue until the condition of all government schools in Rajasthan improves," Ranka said.
Detailing the violence, Ranka said: "The entire country saw BJP's hooliganism live today. Stone pelting was already happening there but the Police remained mute spectators. Police said that they won't do anything. This has been done at the behest of Madan Dilawar. Our volunteers had their hands broken. Our vehicles have been vandalised. There was stone pelting here. Elderly people pelted stones at the women in our team and broke their phones. This was pre-planned. All these goons should be arrested within 48 hours and withdraw the order; otherwise, this protest will expand from education to Madan Dilwar now..."
