Jaipur: Locals allegedly chased and assaulted members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) after they attempted to visit a government primary school in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
CJP leaders, however, claimed that those involved in the violence were not locals, but “goons” sent by the BJP.
The incident occurred after the CJP workers reached Rampura-Kanwarpura village to discuss the condition and arrangements at the government school. The outfit’s co-convener Ashutosh Ranka was also expected to visit the school.
A confrontation broke out over the visit and the locals subsequently staged a protest outside the school, India Today reported.
“These are not the villagers from there, but goons summoned by the BJP,” Ranka posted on X.
He also alleged that children were being taught in a cowshed “among buffaloes” and claimed that attempts to raise the issue were being blocked through political pressure.
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had also accused BJP workers of targeting his party’s volunteers and questioned how the Rajasthan Police could allow such an incident to take place.
A local resident claimed that people attacked the team as they thought that school that has 20-25 students would be demolished.
“We opposed them because they are attempting to tear down this school. About 20-25 students come here to study. Where will they go? We won’t let them tear down the school. Funds for its repair have already been sanctioned. There was just a heated exchange,” she said.
The incident occurred days after the Rajasthan government imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders to government schools. Any such entry will require prior permission from school principals and written approval for photography and videography.
This came into place after the CJP announced plans to inspect government schools that it claimed were suffering from poor infrastructure, teacher shortages and inadequate basic facilities.
The party had received requests from several districts, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Kota, Barmer and Hanumangarh, to inspect schools allegedly facing such problems, Ranka had said.
The state government has said the restrictions are aimed at protecting children’s privacy and safety.
Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully has criticised the restrictions, accusing the BJP government of attempting to prevent scrutiny of government schools.
Saying that the Congress opposes the restrictions, he threatened a “civil disobedience movement”.