ISLAMABAD: India's 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was allegedly slapped and manhandled during a protest in Jaipur on Monday, Indian media reported.
The protest, held at Jaipur's Shaheed Smarak, was organized by students and youth groups demanding action over alleged examination irregularities.
According to Press Trust of India (PTI), Dipke was being carried on the shoulders of supporters when two men pushed through the crowd and slapped him multiple times.
Hindustan Times reported that the attackers allegedly pulled Dipke's scarf before slapping him, while supporters restrained the men and handed them over to the police.
Videos that emerged of the incident showed Dipke being slapped four times by unidentified individuals who came towards him from the crowd.
Dipke proceeded to address the gathering and raised slogans against divisive politics, urging people not to be divided along religious or caste lines, The Print reported.
Responding to the incident, Dipke said 'physical attacks are a sign of fear and cowardice'.
In a post on X, Dipke said he would keep fighting this battle with peace and love.
"We will continue to raise our voices peacefully," he wrote.
The protest was part of a broader campaign launched by the CJP, which began as a satirical movement targeting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and has rapidly expanded into a nationwide campaign.
Dipke had earlier announced plans to join student protesters in Jaipur and demand the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Police officials said two youths had been detained in connection with the attack and an investigation was underway, according to PTI.
