’Modi should step down as PM and become influencer’: CJP founder Dipke

’Modi should step down as PM and become influencer’: CJP founder Dipke

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, July 30, 2026: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who recently led the student protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, on Wednesday warned of a fresh nationwide agitation if the Centre and state governments continue to target students who participated in the demonstrations.

Speaking to reporters after returning to his hometown of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke demanded the immediate withdrawal of all criminal cases and FIRs filed against protesting students.

"The students are the future of India, not terrorists," he said, alleging that police in several states were continuing to harass those who took part in the protests.

"If the harassment continues and the FIRs are not withdrawn, we will launch a bigger agitation. The government should understand that public anger runs much deeper than it believes. This time only one minister (Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan) had to step down. Next time, the people could change the government itself," Dipke said.

He also called for an inquiry into the reported use of pellet guns during the protests, claiming that some students were injured. He further alleged that an AK-47 assault rifle, typically used in anti-terror operations, had also been deployed.

"Such weapons should never be used against students. The government is treating them like terrorists. If Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered such action, accountability must follow," he said.

Dipke said he had spent nearly 40 days away from home, including 36 days at Jantar Mantar leading the protest movement.

"The agitation was successful and the students of the country emerged victorious. I am happy to be back home and meet my parents," he said, adding that he now wanted to take a break and enjoy home-cooked food prepared by his mother.

Dipke received a warm welcome from his parents, relatives, supporters, and hundreds of students upon his return.

Takes a dig at PM Modi

Responding to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke remarked, "He is doing very well as an influencer. Perhaps he should step down as Prime Minister and become an influencer, while someone else takes over the role."

Mother alleges threats

Dipke’s mother, Anita Dipke, claimed that her son had received threats during the protest movement.

She said Dipke had informed her about a video threatening harm to his parents if he did not join the BJP.

"He told me not to watch the video and said he was not afraid of the threats. But since we were not used to such situations, he advised us to stay away from home. We then moved to a relative’s house in Konkan, where we stayed for 16 days," she said.

Father corroborates claim

His father, Bhagwanrao Dipke, said the family had seen a YouTube reel around May 15–17 carrying a similar threat.

"It said that if he did not become a BJP member, they knew where his parents lived and would deal with them," he alleged.