Dipke Rebuts RTI Activist’s US Education Claims, Cites Scholarship Letter

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has defended the funding of his education in the United States, saying it was financed through a scholarship from Boston University and an education loan, a day after an RTI activist sought a probe into his family’s finances.

In an interview with senior journalist Barkha Dutt, Dipke dismissed allegations that his studies abroad were funded through unexplained family wealth and displayed what he said was his scholarship letter.

“My education was funded by a scholarship provided by Boston University. I had also taken an education loan, which I still have to repay,” Dipke said.

The clarification came after Surat-based RTI activist Amit Tiwari filed complaints on August 1 with multiple authorities, including the Maharashtra government, seeking an inquiry into the finances of Dipke’s father, Bhagwanrao Dipke, a retired junior engineer with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

Tiwari questioned how a government employee earning an estimated monthly salary of ₹60,000–65,000 could have financed his children’s higher education in the US. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Addressing questions about the CJP’s funding model, Dipke said the party plans to rely on public contributions. “Going forward, the CJP will raise funds through crowdfunding. We will ask people for support, and the entire process will be transparent,” he said.

Recalling the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, Dipke claimed the movement had been sustained largely through public support. “People who attended the protests saw that food was donated by ordinary citizens. Many even brought their own water bottles,” he said.

Dipke also alleged that some Delhi Police personnel privately expressed solidarity with the agitation.

“Some police personnel told us they wanted to provide water bottles but requested that their identities not be disclosed. They said their children were preparing for NEET and they sympathised with the cause,” he claimed.

The CJP’s finances have come under increased scrutiny after senior advocate Kapil Sibal announced a ₹1 crore legal aid fund for protesters arrested during the anti-NEET paper leak demonstrations.

Separately, Tiwari has approached the Election Commission of India seeking clarity on the CJP’s legal status and has also sought scrutiny of Sibal’s legal aid announcement. CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur also responded to the controversy, accusing the RTI activist of selectively targeting Dipke.

“Those filing RTIs over a private individual’s education expenses should also seek transparency on the PM CARES Fund. Modi ji will forgive you, don’t worry,” Gaur wrote in a post on X.

As scrutiny over the party’s funding and organisational status intensified, the CJP maintained that the complaints were politically motivated and reiterated its commitment to transparency.