New Delhi: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s recent visit to a school in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, drew backlash and questions from local reporters over his late visit to tribal families who had lost their children to disease.
During his visit, local media questioned Dipke about what they described as his late arrival in the area.
“Why have you come now? Are you here for social media fame?” reporters asked Dipke after he reached the spot.
30 tribal children dead
In a series of Instagram posts and stories, Dipke shared details of his visit to Balaghat and the conditions tribal communities faced there.
Two days ago, he posted a reel showing himself driving on a highway.
“Going somewhere to show you an India you probably won’t believe exists,” the caption read.
In subsequent posts, Dipke shared photographs with tribal children in Balaghat, with the caption:
“Pursuit of Happiness! Life is not easy for the kids in Balaghat. Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a video highlighting the harsh realities they live through every day. Until then, let’s just cherish their smiles, which somehow survive through all the adversity,” he wrote.
Between May and August, 30 tribal children in Balaghat died from infectious diseases, including measles and malaria, as well as malnutrition, according to reports.
Dipke was visiting the affected families and documenting the water crisis and the condition of schools in the area.
At one of the schools he visited, there were no benches or other basic facilities in the classrooms. Grass was also growing inside one of the rooms.
“Would the politicians send their own children to such schools?” he wrote in the caption of a video.
He also posted videos showing the colour of the water supplied to the area.
Also Read: CJP’s Rajasthan school campaign turns violent. Abhijeet Dipke blames ‘BJP goons’
Reporters question Dipke’s visit
However, during his visit, local reporters confronted Dipke, questioning the timing and purpose of his visit.
Speaking to the reporters, Dipke said, “I apologise for arriving late to the affected area.”
A day after these videos went viral, the CJP national convenor posted a mock resignation letter as the “CM of Madhya Pradesh”, taking a dig at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who had visited the area in the last week of August.
The sarcastic resignation letter read, “My conscience does not allow me to continue occupying this chair after the death of more than 30 tribal kids.”
It also included an apology for failing to provide medical care and support to the affected families in time, written from the perspective of the state’s chief minister.
Edited by Maryam Hassan