Founder of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Abhijeet Dipke clarified on Monday that a combination of a scholarship and an education loan funded his higher studies in the United States (US).
The statement comes after a Surat-based Right to Information (RTI) activist requested an investigation into the finances of Dipke’s father, a retired government employee, regarding the expenses incurred for Dipke’s foreign education.
Dipke, 30, completed a Master of Science degree in Public Relations from the College of Communication at Boston University before returning to India in June.
Upon his return, he spearheaded a national movement against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) paper leak. The demonstrations mobilized youth across the country in Delhi, demanding academic reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation led to Pradhan’s resignation last week.
Protests turned violent in several regions, resulting in police crackdowns and cases registered against student agitators in Bihar, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Addressing the legal actions, Dipke urged the Maharashtra state administration to withdraw pending police complaints against the youth.
“Maharashtra has always led the nation through its progressive legacy,” Dipke said. “I hope the state government will not harass any student. They have done nothing wrong – they were only fighting for their future.”
Responding to the financial inquiries, Dipke welcomed any formal scrutiny while challenging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present his academic credentials.
“I received a scholarship from Boston University, and for the remaining amount, I took an education loan. It is still pending and has to be repaid. The fight is not personal,” Dipke told Press Trust of India (PTI).
“I am ready to show documents related to my education loan and the scholarship letter. I also request Narendra Modi to show his degree,” Dipke added in an interview with an Indian news channel, later reiterating the demand on social media, “I am ready to reveal my scholarship letter & education loan letter. Will the emperor show his degree?”
Dipke also addressed recent legal action against 15-year-old Ruchika Singh, who faces accusations of making objectionable remarks against the Indian (PM) Prime Minister during the Delhi protests.
Dipke opposed the criminalisation of comments made by minors, citing past instances where political figures faced no legal repercussions for controversial remarks.
“If registering an FIR and deploying the entire state machinery against a 15-year-old is the standard, then FIRs should also be filed against political leaders and IT cell members,” Dipke said.
He specifically pointed to past comments made by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Ramesh Bidhuri, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and previous campaign statements by the Indian PM.
Dipke noted that education has become unaffordable for the general public in India, adding that the CJP team plans to expand its organizational structure following the recent demonstrations.
