Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke clarified that he pursued his M.Sc in Public Relations at Boston University with the help of a university scholarship and an education loan. Photo: PTI
CJP's Dipke dares 'emperor' to reveal degree after BJP targets his education funding
Following an RTI application on his foreign education and its funding, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned why his educational background had become a political issue
A day after a BJP worker sought details of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke's foreign education and its funding through an RTI application, the activist hit back at the BJP, challenging its leaders to make their own academic qualifications public.
In a sharp post on X, Dipke took an indirect swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing, "I am ready to reveal my scholarship letter and education loan letter. Will the emperor show his degree?"
Dipke’s challenge
He reiterated the challenge in a video message, questioning why his educational background had become a political issue.
"I just saw that a BJP worker has filed an RTI asking how I completed my education. I want to ask him — will your leaders show their degree?" Dipke said.
He also questioned the criticism surrounding his studies at Boston University.
"If an ordinary boy has studied at Boston University, why does it bother them? Why are they so against education?" he asked.
‘Scholarship and education loan’
The remarks come amid an ongoing political row over Dipke's educational qualifications after a BJP worker filed an RTI seeking details about the funding of his studies in the United States. The BJP had not responded to Dipke's latest remarks at the time of publishing.
Also read: ‘How did Dipke’s father fund son's foreign studies?’: RTI activist seeks probe on CJP
Earlier, Dipke had clarified that he pursued his Master of Science in Public Relations at Boston University with the help of a university scholarship and an education loan.
"I received a scholarship from Boston University for my education. I also took an education loan, which I am still repaying. Everyone is free to investigate," he had said.
CJP movement
Dipke returned to India in June this year and subsequently emerged as one of the faces of the youth protest movement that gained national attention.
Backing him, CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur criticised the RTI application, describing it as a targeted attempt to scrutinise a private citizen. She questioned why similar scrutiny was not directed towards public institutions and government entities, including the PM CARES Fund.
Also read: Got a scholarship, have loan to repay: CJP founder replies to questions on US education
Before studying in the United States, Dipke completed a degree in journalism in India and worked on digital campaigns, election strategy, and meme-based social media operations for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
He first created the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as a satirical campaign highlighting political disillusionment among young Indians. The initiative later evolved into a real-world youth-led protest movement that drew nationwide attention.