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‘Abhijeet Dipke an AAP worker, how can he be a student?': Kiren Rijiju takes jibe at CJP founder | Watch
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In an interview with ANI, Rijiju, however, said that while the concerns raised by protesting students are genuine, Arvind Kejriwal-led party attempted to ‘hijack’ the movement for its own ends.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke after an interview with PTI, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (PTI Photo) (PTI08_03_2026_000178B)(PTI)Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has targeted Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alleging he is a worker of Aam Aadmi Party worker who attempted to pass himself off as a student leader in the youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar.Rijiju, however, said that while the concerns raised by protesting students are genuine, Arvind Kejriwal-led party attempted to "hijack" the movement for its own ends.Responding to a question on whether he appreciated the emergence of young leadership through the recent student-led movements, Rijiju said the government takes student grievances seriously but drew a distinction between student activism and political opportunism."The students' concerns are valid, but the attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party and others to hijack the situation is not right. Abhijeet Dipke is our own boy from Maharashtra, but he is an Aam Aadmi Party worker. How cam he be a 'student'?" Rijiju is heard saying in the ANI interview.Dipke had previously worked with the Aam Aadmi Party before the beginning of the satirical movement, the Cockroach Janta Party, which came after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's remarks about ‘cockroaches’ during a Supreme Court hearing.Dipke has not been assoicated with AAP after 2023 after which he went to the US for higher studies.Dipke returned to India from the US in June this year to lead an agitation against the NEET-UG paper leakthat saw youth from different parts of the country converge at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to demand reforms and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union education minister. Pradhan resigned on 25 July. Dipke's CJP saw support from various political parties, including AAP.Dipke gets NDA minister's offerRijiu’s remarks came a day after another union minister, Ramdas Athawale offered Dipke to join his party - Republican Party of India (Athawale) or the RPI (A).Athawale, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, said on Monday that Dipke should join RPI (A) to fulfil Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's dream, strengthen society and the party.Athwale's party, the Republican Party of India (A) is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.“I think Abhijeet Dipke is an Ambedkarite. He is active and young. He should consider joining Republic Party of India (A),” Athwale was quoted as saying by news agencies in Nagpur on Monday, 17 August.In the ANI interview, Rijiju added that the government remains open to engaging directly with students over their genuine demands, but accused political parties of exploiting the movement following electoral setbacks."Students have a certain passion, and one can engage in dialogue with them, but when political parties try to grind their own political axes by hiding behind students- that is simply not right," he said.The students' concerns are valid, but the attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party and others to hijack the situation is not right.The CJP has cleared that it is going to remain as a pressure group. "We are not forming a political party; we will operate solely as a pressure group." It is currently conducting a 'School Thik Karo' campaign to highlight the issues present in government schools in villages.(With ANI inputs)About the AuthorGulam JeelaniGulam Jeelani is Political Desk Editor at LiveMint with over 16 years of experience covering national and international politics. Based in New Delhi, Jeelani delivers impactful political narratives through breaking stories, in-depth interviews, and analytical pieces at LiveMint since February 2024. The expertise in video production fuels his
The student leader was on a hunger strike for 16 days, and thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and State Ministers Dipika Pande and Irfan Ansari for agreeing to the demands of the students.Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto being carried during a march towards Jharkhand Assembly amid a protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, JSSC-CGL and other recruitment tests in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.(PTI)Jharkhand student leader Devendra Mahto ended his hunger strike on Tuesday after the Jharkhand government announced that the JSSC-CGL examination and all examinations that were conducted by the TDPL in the state stand cancelled.Mahto broke his hunger strike in the presence of state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari.Two other protestors, Umme Habiba, and Rahul Kranti, also ended their hunger strike along with Mahto.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSThe main demands included the withdrawal of legal actions against protestors, upholding the right to peaceful protest, and reinstating a suspended teacher.Devendra Mahto ended his hunger strike after the Jharkhand government announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, which was one of the key demands of the protestors.The government will establish an examination reforms committee to review the recruitment process and recommend measures to enhance transparency and prevent irregularities.The Jharkhand government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam, initiated an inquiry into examination irregularities, and agreed to hold a special Assembly session to discuss related issues.Yes, student leader Devendra Mahto emphasized that their 'struggle for reform' will continue to address systemic issues in the education sector.The student leader was on a hunger strike for 16 days, and thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and State Ministers Dipika Pande and Irfan Ansari for agreeing to the demands of the students.Mahto praised the government for the decision, saying, " I thank the Jharkhand government for showing the courage to make such a significant decision--cancelling an exam was a massive challenge.""t was not an easy call, given that the recruitment process for the JSSC CGL examination had already reached the joining stage and many students had likely already secured their positions. Yet, considering the critical situation, the government took this bold step for the students..." he added.Mahto also said that although he is calling off his protest for now, his 'struggle for reform' will continue."I envision an education system where paper leaks and irregularities do not occur--a system that guarantees that children currently in primary or secondary school would not have to make such sacrifices or fight such battles when they eventually appear for JPSC or JSSC exams," he said.Mahto said that if this means the Legislative Assembly needs to enact more laws to achieve this, then 'so be it'."Every examination must be monitored, every examination must be audited, and there must be a clear certificate for every examination and at every stage; we will continue to struggle for this", he added.Umme Habiba raises several demandsUmme Habiba, who also broke her hunger strike, along with Mahto, has raised a number of demands after calling off her hunger strike.She has called for the withdrawal of legal action taken against students who were involved in the protests, and has also asked that their right to peaceful and democratic protest should be upheld by the government."Any legal action--whether an FIR or any proposed measure--registered against the students should be withdrawn, and the right to peaceful, democratic protest must be respected. Another demand is that Santosh Mastana be reinstated in service by revoking his suspension," she was quoted as saying by ANI."Furthermore, regarding CID Case No. 025, necessary action should be taken in accordance with the rules to expedite the process of closing or withdrawing the case. Therefore, I
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