cjp-team-attacked-during-school-visit-in-rajasthan-bjp-blamed

A school inspection visit by a team of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) turned tense in Jaipur's Rampura Kanwarpura village on Friday after the group was confronted and allegedly attacked by a crowd, with the incident triggering a political row between the BJP and Congress.

 

The CJP team, led by party co-founder Ashutosh Ranka, had gone to the village in the Bagru Assembly constituency to inspect a government primary school. Videos from the spot showed a crowd confronting the team, shouting slogans and chasing its members out of the village.

 

CJP alleged that its volunteers were assaulted and that vehicles were damaged during the confrontation. Ranka claimed that his shirt was torn, phones were broken and a woman member of the team was assaulted. He also alleged that one volunteer suffered a fractured hand.

 

According to Ranka, the team had informed police about its visit and had previously visited the school, which he claimed had been functioning from a cowshed for several years.

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He alleged that people from outside the village had been brought in to disrupt the visit and blamed local BJP workers for the incident. Ranka also claimed that the villagers themselves had invited the CJP team to inspect the school.

 

The allegations were rejected by BJP leaders. Jaipur MLA Swami Balmukundacharya said he had been informed that local residents objected to the CJP's visit and did not allow the team to enter the village.

 

He alleged that the CJP was attempting to disrupt the atmosphere around children's education.

 

A CJP team member, Shivangi Sharma, alleged that women were also beaten and abused. She said members of the group were called "Pakistani", "Naxals" and "outsiders" despite her being from the area.

 

Some people identifying themselves as villagers defended the opposition to the CJP's visit, questioning the group's activities and alleging that they did not want the organisation in their village. Another villager said the area lacked basic development, including roads and adequate school facilities.

 

The incident also spilled into the Rajasthan Assembly, where the BJP and Congress traded allegations. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara blamed the BJP, while Rajasthan Home Minister Jawahar Singh Bedam accused the Congress of creating trouble under the guise of the CJP.