CJP gives Rajasthan education minister 48-hour ultimatum after school visit attack
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka on 21 August issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rajasthan government, demanding the immediate arrest of those allegedly involved in an attack on CJP activists and the resignation of Education Minister Madan Dilawar. The ultimatum follows an alleged assault on CJP members who had visited a government school in Rampura-Kanwarpura village, Sanganer, reportedly to inspect its infrastructure.
What Allegedly Happened at the School
According to Ranka, a CJP team travelled to Rampura-Kanwarpura to assess the condition of a government school that, he claimed, has been operating out of a buffalo shed for several years. The team had reportedly conducted a similar inspection the previous year and found conditions unchanged.
Ranka alleged that on Friday, individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were already present at the site before the activists arrived. The situation reportedly escalated when local villagers objected to the team's presence and refused them entry into the school premises. Tensions further intensified after Ranka himself reached the spot.
Allegations of Violence and Damage
'Our activists were attacked despite the police being informed. The windows of our vehicles were smashed, mobile phones were destroyed, a female activist was assaulted, and even my shirt was torn,' Ranka alleged. He further claimed that one team member suffered a fractured arm and that activists were subjected to stone-pelting, including by elderly villagers targeting women members of the team.
Ranka accused the attackers of acting in a pre-planned manner and alleged that the police remained passive throughout the incident. These allegations have not been independently verified, and further details regarding the identities of those involved and any police action are awaited.
The Ultimatum and Demands
'You have only 48 hours. The accused must be arrested immediately, and the order restricting public inspections of schools must be withdrawn,' Ranka said, addressing Education Minister Madan Dilawar directly. He warned that failure to comply would trigger a large-scale agitation by the CJP across Rajasthan.
'This time, the fight will not be limited to schools. We will also demand the resignation of Madan Dilawar,' Ranka added.
Broader Context
The incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of government school infrastructure in Rajasthan. The CJP's inspection drive — which includes visiting schools to document physical conditions — has reportedly drawn resistance from local communities and, the party alleges, from ruling-party-affiliated groups. The confrontation in Sanganer marks a sharp escalation in that friction.
As the 48-hour deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether the state government responds with arrests or a policy rollback — or whether Rajasthan braces for a fresh round of street-level protests.