Back from Delhi, Abhijeet Dipke warns Centre: ‘Youth will change the government if it doesn’t fall in line’
Returning from Delhi after the NEET protest campaign, Dipke says students will continue their movement if they face further harassment.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has warned the Centre against taking action against students who participated in the recent NEET paper leak protests, saying they are the future of the country and should not be treated like criminals.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport from Delhi, Dipke said he was returning home after nearly 40 days. He had spent more than a month at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party led protests over the NEET paper leak issue that later expanded into a nationwide movement.
Dipke said he was happy to return home and meet his parents after what he described as a successful campaign. He claimed the movement had secured justice for students and demonstrated the strength of youth led protests.
He accused authorities in several states of continuing to target students even after the demonstrations ended. According to Dipke, police have been visiting the homes of protesters and threatening them with arrest.
Referring to the police action during the July 20 March to Parliament, he alleged that students were subjected to unnecessary force and said such treatment should not continue. He urged the government to stop harassing protesters, adding that students are not terrorists but the country’s future.
Dipke also warned that if the government failed to respond to the concerns of young people, they would use democratic means to bring about political change. He further said that the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should not be viewed as the end of the movement, adding that a larger protest could be launched if necessary.
Responding to a question from reporters, Dipke remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should resign and become an influencer, saying it was something he was particularly skilled at.
After arriving in the city, Dipke visited the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University to pay tribute before returning to his home in the Waluj MIDC area.