What Sparked the Outrage? Abhijeet Dipke Stands with Jharkhand Student Protesters
Abhijeet Dipke's Support for Student Protesters
New Delhi: The founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, expressed his disapproval of the alleged police violence against student demonstrators in Jharkhand on Tuesday. He extended his support to student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is currently hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident.
In a statement from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), it was revealed that Dipke had a video call with Mahto while he was receiving medical care. The CJP noted that Mahto had been on a hunger strike for nine days prior to the police intervention, which worsened his health condition.
The CJP reported that Mahto required oxygen support after experiencing severe chest pain and multiple injuries as a result of the police action. They claimed that the police response was aimed at students engaged in a peaceful protest.
During the video call, Mahto shared details about the police's actions and the events that led to his hospitalization, according to the CJP's statement.
Dipke condemned the brutality faced by peaceful student protesters, stating, "Whether at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi or the streets of Jharkhand, such extreme police violence is inhumane and unacceptable."
He praised Mahto as a hero for risking his life for the student community, affirming that the CJP stands firmly behind him in his just cause. "We honor his remarkable bravery, resilience, and strength," he added.
The CJP has called for an immediate independent investigation into the alleged police actions and accountability for those responsible for the lathi-charge.
They emphasized that student and youth movements cannot be suppressed through state-sponsored intimidation or violence.
On Monday, clashes erupted near the Jharkhand Assembly, resulting in injuries to several protesters, including women, and four police officers. The police employed water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charges against job seekers protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.
The confrontation occurred after protesters broke through multiple barricades near the Vidhan Sabha and reached Gate No 1, where they staged a sit-in, demanding their issues be addressed, despite police launching another round of lathi-charges.
The student protesters are advocating for significant reforms in the operations of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), the cancellation of several recruitment exams, and an independent investigation by either the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state regarding the alleged irregularities.
They have also claimed that the government has only agreed to cancel three out of the thirteen exams they wish to have annulled.