Cannot forget his sacrifice: Abhijeet Dipke junks CJP-Sonam Wangchuk divide buzz

Abhijeet Dipke rejected speculation of a rift with Sonam Wangchuk, saying both remain aligned and crediting Wangchuk's 26-day hunger strike as crucial to the education minister's resignation, while questioning why BJP leaders were allowed to meet him but not CJP members or opposition leaders.Abhijeet Dipke rejected speculation of a rift with Sonam Wangchuk. (Image: PTI)Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), rejected speculation of a rift with activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying the movement could never forget Wangchuk's sacrifice and insisting both remained "pretty much on the same page."He made the remarks during an interview with India Today after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister following the student-led protest movement.Responding to a question on whether there was now a divide between the CJP and Wangchuk because he did not mention him while concluding the movement, Dipke dismissed the suggestion."No, sir. We are still pretty much on the same page. I spoke to him on the call," Dipke said. He explained that he had thanked the students because, after July 20, the movement belonged to the youth of the country, who faced police action during the protests. At the same time, he stressed that Wangchuk's contribution remained central to the campaign."But we cannot forget the sacrifice that Sonam Wangchuk sir has made. He risked his life. For 26 days, he was on hunger strike. By risking his own life, he has awakened the nation. By risking his own life, he has brought this nation on the streets to question the government. And without his hunger strike, the resignation of the education minister wouldn't have been possible," Dipke said. Dipke added that he had personally urged Wangchuk to end his hunger strike and said he felt relieved when the activist finally did so."I was personally requesting him to end his hunger strike. I was telling him, 'Sir, you please end your hunger strike. We will continue our protest.' I was very relieved the day he ended his hunger strike," he said.When asked whether he was disappointed that Wangchuk ended his fast in the presence of BJP leaders JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Dipke said he was not upset with Wangchuk."No, sir. I was not disappointed by that. I was disappointed by the fact that the BJP leaders, Mr JP Nadda and Jitender Singh, were allowed to meet him while I was not. I wanted to meet him. I was not allowed to meet him. Opposition MPs were trying to meet him. They were not allowed to meet him. But how come JP Nadda and Jitender Singh were allowed to meet him?" he said.Dipke alleged that Wangchuk had been "kidnapped in a way by the government" because neither he nor Opposition leaders nor members of the CJP were permitted to meet him. He said he was nevertheless glad that Wangchuk ended his fast, adding that "his life is far too valuable for this country's future."Dipke also outlined the future direction of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying it would not transform into a political party despite its growing prominence. He said the organisation would continue as a political pressure group rather than contest elections.Reiterating his allegations against the BJP, Dipke claimed the violence during the protest was orchestrated by "BJP goons" to derail the movement."This was done by BJP goons. I have been saying since day one that the BJP will send its goons to create disruptions. They have done exactly that. I feel sorry that the police officers were targeted by the same people who were carrying out these actions. We have sympathy for the police officers who were targeted in such a manner. At the same time, the students who were brutally beaten by police officers, what about their families?" Dipke said.He alleged that habitual offenders were being used to target students and intimidate those participating in protests."Habitual offenders must be dealt with according to the law. They are using those habitual offenders to target students. People in Bihar did not do anything in Delhi. People in Mumbai did not do anything in Delhi. There is a conspiracy to target students, and this is being done to threaten them that they should not dare to question the government or come out in protest again," he said.He said CJP's future campaigns would extend beyond education and would also focus on unemployment and the widening economic divide in the country. According to Dipke, the organisation wants to bring accountability in governance while highlighting issues affecting young people and livelihoods.Speaking about the mood among young people, Dipke said there was growing distrust of political parties, institutions and investigative agencies. He argued that restoring people's faith in democratic institutions was essential, saying the loss of trust posed a serious challenge for democracy.Dipke also ruled out becoming a full-time politician, saying meaningful change in the current situation could only be achieved through public movements rather than electoral politics. He said CJP would continue to function as a people's movement instead of entering electoral contests.On the organisation's next campaign, Dipke said CJP was regrouping after the conclusion of the protest. He said the team would hold meetings with its volunteers before deciding its future agenda and the next course of action.- EndsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 15:29 IST