Jaipur: A high-voltage political confrontation erupted in Rampura Kanwarpura village near Jaipur's Sanganer area on Friday morning when workers of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were blocked and allegedly assaulted by local residents and political activists while attempting to inspect a government primary school under their ongoing "School Thik Karo" campaign.
The standoff began around 8:00 a.m. after CJP representatives arrived at the primary school, where classes are reportedly being held in a nearby cattle enclosure due to the main building being declared unsafe. Local residents barricaded the access roads, stopped the team at the entrance, and checked incoming vehicles to prevent them from entering.
The situation deteriorated rapidly upon the arrival of CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka. Video clips circulating on social media show heated arguments escalating into physical pushing and shoving. CJP leaders alleged that their volunteers were manhandled, subjected to stone-pelting, and had their vehicles vandalized. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and Ranka accused BJP workers of orchestrating the violence, claiming the state machinery and police acted as "mute spectators" to conceal the dilapidated state of rural educational infrastructure.
In a press statement following the incident, Ranka issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the arrest of those involved, the resignation of Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar, and the withdrawal of recent administrative restrictions prohibiting unauthorized visits and videography inside government schools.
Local villagers and protesting residents countered the claims, stating that political groups should not use local schools for publicity or political posturing. Protesters noted that the government has already sanctioned ₹12 lakh for the renovation of the school building and asserted that the local community is fully capable of managing its own development without outside political interference.
Following the confrontation, villagers staged a sit-in demonstration outside the school gate. Local police and municipal authorities have since heightened security and vigilance in the area to maintain order.
(Inputs from IANS)