Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has left the door open for former spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya to return to the outfit, more than a month after he was removed following controversy over a viral video from the CJP's protest in Delhi. Asked about the possibility of Dahiya making a comeback, Dipke said the organisation would consider the matter but stopped short of giving any commitment.
“We will think about it. It would not be right to say anything at this point,” Dipke said in an interview with the BBC. While describing Dahiya as a “very good person”, he maintained that what happened during the agitation had been “a little insensitive”.
Burger video triggered controversy
Dahiya was removed as CJP spokesperson in July after a video purportedly showed him at a fast-food outlet during the outfit's ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest in Delhi. The footage drew criticism because it emerged at a time when protesters were facing police action during the demonstration. The CJP subsequently announced that Dahiya was being relieved of his official responsibilities, describing his conduct as inconsistent with the values of the movement. Dahiya had defended himself, saying he had been actively involved in the agitation and had gone without adequate sleep for two nights. He also questioned the criticism directed at him over taking a break to eat.
Dahiya said he was made scapegoat
Following his removal, Dahiya publicly expressed disappointment with the CJP leadership and claimed he had been made a scapegoat. He said he had been preparing to return to the Jantar Mantar protest when he received a call from Dipke and CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka asking him not to come. Dahiya said he had expected Dipke to express solidarity with him after he was heckled but was instead informed about concerns surrounding the burger video.
He also questioned why the organisation had acted against him when he had previously defended Dipke during controversies involving the CJP founder, including criticism over a video showing Dipke eating kachori.
CJP focuses on school campaign
Dipke's latest remarks come as the CJP expands its ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, under which its members have been visiting government schools and highlighting shortcomings in infrastructure and basic facilities. The organisation has sought information from state governments on school infrastructure, teacher vacancies and expenditure while pushing education to the centre of its campaign.
The CJP has also announced a September 5 march in Delhi as it continues to press the government over commitments it says were made following the July agitation. Dipke's comments indicate that despite the acrimonious circumstances surrounding Dahiya's exit, the CJP has not completely ruled out bringing its former spokesperson back into the fold.