Guwahati: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and party volunteers were allegedly assaulted on Friday while travelling to a government school in Rajasthan’s Bagru Assembly constituency, with one volunteer suffering a fractured arm, Ranka said.
The incident took place near Rampura Kanwarpura village, where Ranka and his team planned to inspect the condition of a government school, including its infrastructure and facilities.
Ranka alleged that a group of people stopped the team and assaulted them. He also claimed that those involved were workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a video purportedly showing the incident, a group of people can be seen confronting the CJP team, while chants of “Jai Shri Ram” were heard.
The CJP team had planned to visit two government schools in the state capital, Jaipur — one at Rampura Kanwarpura and another at Bhatta Wala on Vatika Road — to assess their infrastructure, education facilities and conditions for students.
Ranka had earlier posted on social media about the condition of the primary school at Rampura Kanwarpura. He claimed that the main school building had been closed after parts of its roof and beams deteriorated and that the structure was being supported with iron angles.
He further alleged that students had been shifted to a shed about 50 metres from the main building, where they were studying under a tin roof. He also claimed that animal fodder was kept inside the shed and bricks had fallen from parts of the structure.
According to the CJP, a group of people gathered near Rampura village after Ranka announced the visit on social media. The party alleged that the group blocked the road and stopped vehicles before confronting the CJP team.
Speaking to the media, Ranka alleged that the attack was an attempt to prevent the party from highlighting the condition of government schools.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also alleged that BJP workers were behind the attack and questioned the Rajasthan Police over the incident.
School visit restrictions
The incident comes amid a controversy over visits by outsiders to Rajasthan government schools.
The controversy began after CJP leaders visited a government school in Thanagazi, Alwar, on August 15 and staged a protest over its condition. The protest ended after the administration gave written assurances on demands including repairs to the school building, additional classrooms and drinking water facilities.
The Secondary Education Department issued directions a day later regulating the entry of outsiders into government schools.
Under the order, outsiders require prior written permission from the principal or headmaster to enter school premises. Access to classrooms, hostels, libraries, toilets and other areas used by students is also restricted unless visitors are accompanied by authorised staff.
The order also requires prior written permission for photography, videography, interviews, audio recordings and live streaming involving students or school premises. It warned that violations could attract legal action under applicable laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar later clarified that there was no blanket ban on media entry into government schools, but said permission was required before interviewing, photographing or filming students, particularly minors.
Ranka said the CJP would continue visiting government schools despite the department’s directions.