Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and several party volunteers were allegedly assaulted on Friday while they were travelling to a government school in Jaipur’s Bagru assembly constituency to inspect its infrastructure and facilities.
The incident took place near Rampura Kanwarpura village, where Ranka and his team had planned to assess the condition of the school building and facilities available to students.
Ranka told Hindustan Times that he and other CJP volunteers were confronted and attacked by a group of people. He claimed that one of the volunteers suffered a fractured arm in the alleged assault.
Ranka accuses BJP workers
Ranka alleged that the attackers were workers associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the allegation has not been independently verified.
A video purportedly showing the incident appears to show a group of people confronting the CJP team. Chants of “Jai Shri Ram” can reportedly be heard in the footage.
Ranka also alleged that a group had gathered near the village after the planned school visit was announced on social media, blocking the road and stopping vehicles.
When the CJP team arrived in the area, they were allegedly confronted and assaulted.
HT could not independently verify Ranka’s allegations regarding the identity or political affiliation of the attackers. A response from the BJP is awaited.
CJP raises questions over school conditions
The alleged assault comes amid a wider controversy over CJP members’ visits to government schools in Rajasthan.
The party had planned to visit two government schools in Jaipur — one at Rampura Kanwarpura and another at Bhatta Wala on Vatika Road — to assess the condition of school buildings, education facilities and other amenities available to students.
Ranka had earlier highlighted the alleged poor condition of the Rampura Kanwarpura primary school on social media. According to his claims, the main school building had become unsafe after portions of its roof and beams deteriorated and was subsequently closed.
He alleged that students were being taught in a shed located around 50 metres from the main building. Ranka further claimed that the temporary structure had a tin roof and that animal fodder was lying inside it.
The CJP leader also alleged that bricks had fallen from parts of the school structure.
CJP says school visits will continue
Following the alleged attack, Ranka accused the state government of trying to prevent the party from highlighting problems in government schools.
He said CJP would continue visiting government schools despite recent directions from the education department regulating the entry of outsiders into school premises.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also condemned the alleged attack and accused BJP workers of targeting Ranka and other volunteers.
The BJP has yet to issue a response to the allegations.
Why government school visits became controversial
The latest incident comes days after CJP members visited a government school in Thanagazi, Alwar, on August 15 and staged a protest over its condition.
The protest ended after the administration provided written assurances on demands including repairs to the school building, additional classrooms and drinking water facilities.
The following day, the Secondary Education Department issued directions regulating the entry of outsiders into government schools.
Under the directions, outsiders require prior written permission from the principal or headmaster before entering school premises. Restrictions also apply to access to classrooms, hostels, libraries, toilets and other areas used by students unless visitors are accompanied by authorised staff.
The order also requires prior permission for photography, videography, interviews, audio recordings and live streaming involving students or school premises.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar later clarified that there was no blanket ban on media entry into government schools, but permission was required before interviewing, photographing or filming students, particularly minors.
The latest alleged assault has added another layer to the ongoing dispute over CJP’s campaign highlighting the condition of government schools in Rajasthan.
