Abhijeet Dipke reacts to NDA offer: 'Wasn't I anti-national for you?'

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has responded to Union minister Ramdas Athawale's suggestion that he join the Republican Party of India (A), which is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Dipke's response referred to the "anti-national" label used in the political debate around student protests last month.

“Abhi ek mahine pehle toh me anti-national tha tumhare liye?” (Just a month ago, wasn't I anti-national for you?)" Dipke wrote on Instagram.

Athawale asks Dipke to join RPI (A)

Athawale on Monday suggested that Dipke consider joining his party, saying the CJP founder could contribute to strengthening society and advancing the vision associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Also Read | 'He is active & young': Union minister Athawale invites CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke to join RPI(A)

“I think Abhijeet Dipke is an Ambedkarite. He is active and young. He should consider joining Republic Party of India (A),” Athawale said.

“We are a government that believes people should be punished if they do wrong. So, he should join the ruling faction,” he said.

The comments came against the backdrop of protests led by Dipke and students at Jantar Mantar last month. The demonstrations focused on alleged examination paper leaks, student suicides and reforms in the education system.

The protests continued to put pressure on the Centre, eventually leading to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union education minister on July 25. Pralhad Joshi later took charge of the ministry.

Dipke recalls 'anti-national' controversy

Pradhan had cited concerns over "anti-national forces" while announcing his resignation.

“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, with the aim of preventing anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student's future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers, I have submitted my resignation to the Honorable Prime Minister,” he wrote on X.

Dipke had subsequently criticised the use of the term against protesting students. On August 7, he backed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks that Gen Z should not be labelled "anti-national" for raising genuine concerns.

“The most significant statement made by Mohan Bhagwat yesterday was that Gen Z should not be called anti-nationals. He stated that protesting is their right and their issues are genuine. I completely agree with this,” Dipke had told ANI.

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He also alleged that BJP leaders had used strong language against the protesters, referring to remarks by Dharmendra Pradhan and Nitin Nabin.

“It is the BJP members themselves who are calling them anti-nationals.

Dharmendra Pradhan had called them the 'B-team of terrorists,' and Nitin Nabin called them a 'virus.' I hope they will now listen to Mohan Bhagwat ji and heed his words, as it is unlikely that the BJP would go against the RSS and say anything contrary,” he said.