A woman threw an ink-like liquid at Abhijit Dipke, chief of the Cockroach Janta Party, during a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi [1, 2].
The incident highlights the escalating tension surrounding academic integrity and civil liberties in India, as the party leads protests against government actions.
Dipke had begun an indefinite hunger strike in early July 2024 [1, 2]. The attack occurred shortly after the strike commenced, while Dipke was protesting the removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar [1, 2]. The broader agitation is linked to concerns regarding a NEET paper leak [1, 2].
The attack took place amid preparations for a larger demonstration. The Cockroach Janta Party had planned a march to Parliament on July 20, 2024 [2]. However, the legality of that movement remains in question.
"The Cockroach Janta Party has not sought permission for its proposed July 20 Parliament march," a Delhi Police source said [2].
The use of ink attacks is a recurring form of political protest in the region, often used to signal public shaming or dissent. In this instance, the attack targeted a leader already engaged in a high-profile hunger strike, a method of protest intended to draw national attention to the NEET exam scandal and the treatment of activists [1, 2].
“A woman threw an ink-like liquid at Abhijit Dipke”
The convergence of a hunger strike, an ink attack, and a contested march indicates a volatile atmosphere for the Cockroach Janta Party. By linking the NEET paper leak to the removal of Sonam Wangchuk, the group is attempting to unify disparate grievances into a single movement against administrative transparency, though the lack of police permission for their march suggests a likely confrontation with law enforcement.
