The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rajasthan government, calling for the arrest of the ones allegedly involved in an attack on its volunteers during a government school inspection in Jaipur district, which unfolded in the early hours of Friday.

Moreover, the party also voiced demands for the withdrawal of the Rajasthan government order, as well as the resignation of state education minister Madan Dilawar. It warned that failure to the compliance of its demands within 48 hours would trigger a statewide agitation. 

The CJP said, “I want to tell Madan Dilawar just one thing: You have 48 hours. These goons must be arrested. You must withdraw the order, otherwise we will launch a statewide agitation across Rajasthan.” 

CJP warns of statewide stir

The party said the proposed agitation would not remain confined to the issue of government schools and would directly target Dilawar. Describing the attack as a ‘black day in Rajasthan’s democratic history,’ the party warned that it would mobilise supporters across the state if action was taken within the stipulated deadline. 

The ultimatum was issued amid a growing dispute between the CJP and the Rajasthan government over visits to government schools and restrictions governing outsiders’ access to school premises. 

CJP alleges involvement of BJP in attack

The CJP mounted a sharp criticism of the BJP, alleging that a scuffle broke out in a village in Rajasthan after villagers, accompanied by purported BJP leaders, erected barricades and forcibly stopped the party’s team from reaching a government school. 

The team was visiting Rampura-Kanwarpura village as part of the party’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, aimed at underlining alleged deficiencies in government school infrastructure. 

CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka claimed the school had been operating from a buffalo shed for several years. 

Ranka said, “We had gone to inspect the school in Rampura-Kanwarpura village. For the past several years, the school has been operating in a buffalo shed. We had gone for an inspection last year as well, and the school was being run in a buffalo shed even then.” 

He went on to say that BJP workers were already present at the site before the CJP team’s arrival and that volunteers were assaulted first. 

Ranka alleges violence against CJP team

Ranka claimed that the incident transpired in the presence of media personnel and alleged that the cops were informed too, but failed to act. 

He alleged that vehicle windows were smashed, cell phones were damaged and a woman was assaulted during the confrontation. Furthermore, he claimed that his shirt was ripped apart, one team member sustained a fracture to his hand and that the group was attacked with stones. 

The CJP co-convener also alleged that the attack had been conducted at the direction of Education Minister Madan Dilawar.  However, the allegations have not been established independently, and a response is awaited from the Rajasthan government or the BJP.