CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Rules Out Converting Organisation Into Political Party

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Stating that public trust in key democratic institutions has eroded, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday ruled out converting the organisation into a political party. He said there was an urgent need for a nationwide people's movement and a public pressure group to restore accountability and neutrality in institutions such as the judiciary, the Election Commission, political parties and the media.

Speaking to reporters, Dipke said the support received by the organisation during its recent "Chalo Sansad" agitation at Jantar Mantar was not limited to student issues but reflected wider public anger over the functioning of institutions. "People have lost faith in politicians, political parties, the judiciary, journalists and the Election Commission. We need a people's movement and a public pressure group to bring back accountability and neutrality in these institutions," he said.

Dipke made the statement ahead of the CJP's two-day core committee meeting being held at his home in the Waluj area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city. Dipke alleged that the country's political system had deteriorated, claiming that elected representatives frequently switched political loyalties after elections. He further alleged that central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being used to engineer political defections and split parties.

"People across ideologies joined our movement because they are frustrated with developments that are weakening democracy," he said.

Stating that CJP would continue to function as a pressure group instead of contesting elections, Dipke said the organisation wanted to focus on issues that, according to him, were not receiving adequate attention, including unemployment, the country's economic situation and concerns over E20 ethanol-blended petrol.

Around 10 to 11 members from different parts of the country are attending the organisation's two-day strategy meeting, where its future roadmap and expansion across states will be discussed. Dipke said the conclusions of the meeting would be announced at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

Dipke reiterated the organisation's support for the ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand, saying local office-bearers were already assisting protesters and that CJP members would travel to the state if required. He said environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk had been the organisation's mentor since its inception and would continue to guide it, though he could not attend the meeting due to ill health.

The CJP also claimed that it had been providing legal and medical assistance to students injured during protests, including those allegedly hurt in lathi charges and pellet firing. Dipke said the organisation was coordinating with lawyers across the country and had been urging governments to withdraw FIRs registered against protesters, claiming that cases had already been withdrawn in several states.

CJP member Saurabh Das alleged that the organisation's spokesperson Afreen Nawaz was injured during a lathi charge while volunteers were trying to manage crowds during the Jantar Mantar protest. He also condemned alleged doxxing campaigns targeting women protesters by supporters of the BJP and the RSS, describing such acts as illegal and demanding legal action against those responsible.