Rajasthan villagers stop CJP team from inspecting school, ‘push’ them out

The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign ran into rough waters on Friday (August 21) when a delegation of CJP workers was allegedly stopped by villagers in Rajasthan from entering Rampura-Kanwarpura and forced the activists to leave. The CJP leadership alleged that it was “goons summoned by the BJP” who targeted the delegation.

CJP team stopped during school campaign

The CJP workers had reached the village as part of the party’s ongoing ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign. They planned to inspect the school, assess its facilities and speak with teachers and students. The CJP team was also scheduled to visit another government school in Jaipur district.

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Before their arrival, locals reportedly blocked the main road and checked vehicles entering the village. A confrontation followed, after which the CJP workers were pushed out. Villagers later staged a protest outside the school and raised slogans against the satirical outfit.

However, Bagru DSP Dharmendra Sharma said he was unaware of the reported incident.

Dispute over ‘unsafe’ school building

The dispute centred on the condition of the school building, which has been declared ‘unsafe’ and closed to students, with classes now being held in a cattle enclosure nearby. Villagers, joined by BJP workers, said the building could be repaired and claimed funds for the work had already been sanctioned.

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A local resident said villagers opposed the CJP visit because they believed the school was being targeted for demolition despite having around 20-25 students.

“We opposed them because they are attempting to tear down this school. About 20-25 students come here to study. Where will they go? We won’t let them tear down the school. Funds for its repair have already been sanctioned. There was just a heated exchange,” she said as quoted by India Today.

CJP alleges BJP role in confrontation

CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka rejected claims that the protesters were local residents. In a post on X, he alleged, "These are not the villagers from there, but goons summoned by the BJP."

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Ranka also alleged that children were being taught in a cowshed "among buffaloes" and said political pressure was preventing the issue from being raised.

CJP founder Abhijit Dipke separately accused BJP workers of targeting CJP volunteers and questioned the Rajasthan Police’s response.

The confrontation came days after Rajasthan’s BJP government restricted visits by outsiders to government schools. Visitors require prior permission from the principal, while photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live-streaming involving students, teachers or school activities require written approval.

(With agency inputs)