Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aug 11: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday condemned the use of force against students protesting in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and extended support to the ongoing agitation.
Speaking to reporters here, Dipke questioned the use of lathis, water cannons and tear gas against students, asking why similar action was not taken against political party workers during protests.
“I don’t understand why lathis and tear gas are not used when political parties protest. Why they are used only against students?” he asked.
Dipke compared Monday’s police action in Ranchi with the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where students had demonstrated over the alleged NEET paper leak.
He said students were fighting for their rights and future rather than for any political vote bank.
“Students are fighting only for their rights and still facing police action,” Dipke said.
He also expressed concern over the treatment of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been leading the agitation while on hunger strike.
“I had a word with Devendra Mahto, who is leading this agitation. He has been fasting for nine days and still police used lathis on him,” Dipke said.
He questioned what governments gain by using force against students demanding a better future.
“Governments in this country, whether in Jharkhand or anywhere else, should think what they are getting by doing such injustice to students who are fighting for their future and not any vote bank,” he said.
“Brutality on students should not take place anywhere,” the 30-year-old activist added.
The CJP chief said his party had extended support to the Jharkhand students and wanted the agitation to continue under Mahto’s leadership.
“Our team is there in Jharkhand and was also with agitators in the hospital. We expect the agitation in Jharkhand to continue under the leadership of Mahto,” he said.
Dipke said the focus of the movement should remain on Mahto and the students’ demands, adding that his party would support students irrespective of which political party was in power.
“No matter whoever is in government, we will support students wherever they are agitating,” he said.
The remarks came a day after thousands of job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi, breached multiple barricades and clashed with police. Authorities used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
While several protesters claimed they were injured, Ranchi police said 14 policemen sustained injuries during the protest.
The students have been agitating since July 25, demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
