Jaipur: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was slapped by a group of youths during the party’s protest at the Shaheed Smarak here Monday, triggering a scuffle between the accused and CJP supporters. Police arrested five people in connection with the incident and launched an investigation.DCP South Rajarshi Raj Varma said the five persons – Rohit Sharma (25), Rakesh Gurjar (30), Ajay Sharma (25), Kuldip Singh (27) and Niket (28) – were arrested under Section 170 of BNSS (arrest to prevent commission of cognisable offences).The protest, organised 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.Some protesters arrived carrying the national flag and posters bearing slogans such as “Paper Leak Band Karo” and “Mujhe Desh Se Pyar Hai, Bhrashtachar Asweekar Hai”.According to eyewitnesses, Dipke was being carried into the protest venue on the shoulders of supporters when a few youths from among the crowd slapped him repeatedly. His supporters immediately caught hold of some of the accused and beat them up, before police intervened and brought the situation under control.One of those arrested, Rakesh Gurjar, claimed as he was led out of the venue that he was a nationalist, and accused Dipke of misleading the public. “These are people with a jihadist mindset,” he told reporters.After the protest, CJP supporters formed a human cordon around Dipke and escorted him to a waiting vehicle while raising slogans of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.Writing on X later, Dipke said, “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!”“Hopefully, the police will take suo motu cognisance. Otherwise, we are considering lodging a complaint. It is evident that these people belong to the BJP; it was orchestrated by the BJP,” CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told TOI.Uploading photos of one of the accused on X, Ranka wrote, “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 said. “What BJP has done today is beyond disgusting. As a proud Rajasthani, I am ashamed that Jaipur was chosen for this gundagardi,” he added.Despite the incident, 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 achieved freedom through sacrifices and should not be divided on the basis of religion or caste,” he told protesters.Dipke also announced that the party would march to Delhi again on June 20 and continue its campaign demanding the resignation of the Union education minister.Monday’s demonstration witnessed other minor disturbances, apart from the assault. In one case, police intervened after an argument broke out among protesters over sloganeering. Several participants also complained about mobile phone thefts at the event, prompting organisers to issue announcements from the stage asking people to safeguard their belongings.The organisers later said they would file a complaint with police on the issue of phone thefts at the protest venue.
