US Education Row: Dipke Defends Credentials, Asks RTI Activist to Check Scholarship Letter

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has rejected allegations about the funding of his education in the United States, saying his studies were 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.

Speaking to senior journalist Barkha Dutt, Dipke denied suggestions that his higher education was funded through unexplained family wealth and produced what he said was his scholarship letter during the interview.

“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.

His remarks came after Surat-based RTI activist Amit Tiwari filed complaints with multiple authorities, including the Maharashtra government, on August 1, 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 allegedly earning around ₹60,000-65,000 a month could have afforded to send his children to the United States for higher education. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Asked how the CJP intends to fund its political activities, Dipke said the party plans to rely on public donations through crowdfunding. “Going forward, the CJP will raise money through crowdfunding. We will seek contributions from people and remain completely transparent about how the funds are used,” he said.

Referring to the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, Dipke claimed the movement was 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 supported the movement.

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

The CJP’s finances have drawn greater attention after senior advocate Kapil Sibal announced a ₹1 crore legal aid fund for protesters arrested during the anti-NEET paper leak agitation. Tiwari has also approached the Election Commission of India, seeking clarity on the CJP’s legal status and requesting scrutiny of Sibal’s legal aid announcement.

CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur also responded to the complaints, 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 said in a post on X.

As questions over the party’s funding and legal status intensified, the CJP dismissed the complaints as politically motivated and maintained that it would continue to disclose its funding transparently.