Will work as pressure group: Abhijeet Dipke reveals Cockroach Party's plan
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said the outfit would work as a "pressure group" and had no immediate ambitions to take the political
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said the outfit would work as a "pressure group" and had no immediate ambitions to take the political plunge. Speaking to the media during the CJP's two-day strategy meet in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke also hinted at national expansion and joining the student protests in Jharkhand. The 30-year-old Dipke, who started the CJP as a satirical outfit just two months ago, said there were no plans to start a political party. Initially dismissed as an online fad, the Dipke-led CJP spearheaded the student protests against exam paper leaks. The sustained protests, which were rocked by violence on July 20, eventually resulted in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Read Full Story 'NOT THINKING ON STARTING POLITICAL PARTY' Since then, the platform has become a rallying point for millions of young Indians frustrated over unemployment and irregularities in the education system.
"We are not thinking about starting a political party. It seems the media is more interested in that," Dipke said. "We will work as a pressure group," Dipke said. Dipke, who emerged as the face of the agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, said the strategy meet was aimed at chalking out a roadmap for expanding the movement's outreach. The CJP has already unveiled plans for a nationwide listening tour to connect with young people across India. "Today we have gathered here to discuss the roadmap - how and where we can contribute in different parts of the country," he said. Dipke indicated that the outfit would discuss ways to support student movements in other parts of the country as well. "Wherever students are agitating or raising issues, we are with them," Dipke said.
Dipke was joined by CJP spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and a team of 50 core volunteers who stayed through thick and thin during the Delhi protests. The Boston University graduate also expressed distrust in the country's institutions, claiming that people "don't trust" the judiciary, politicians and the entire system. WILL CJP JOIN JHARKHAND STUDENT PROTESTS? As the CJP kicked off their brainstorming session, the student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in the JPSC civil services examination entered their 12th day. Earlier in the day, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who fasted for 26 days during the Jantar Mantar protests, extended his solidarity to the Jharkhand agitation. Wangchuk also spoke with student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has started an indefinite hunger strike. When asked if the CJP would join the Jharkhand students, Dipke said the matter would be discussed.
The BriefWire