‘Ministers’ dogs get better facilities’: CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke seeks Maharashtra education minister Bhuse’s resignation

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday called for Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse’s resignation, alleging that government schools in the state lack basic facilities and that and that even "ministers’ dogs get better facilities" than students.

Dipke made the demand after visiting a Zilla Parishad school in Ujani village in Latur’s Ausa tehsil as part of the CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Dipke said elected representatives and ministers should be held accountable for the condition of government schools. He said several schools continue to lack proper classrooms, benches, toilets and safe roads.


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“It is a question of students' lives. When political leaders are not doing anything for students, why should people vote for them? Do people vote for them so that they can only travel in helicopters? People should see in what conditions their children are studying. The dogs of these ministers get better facilities than this,” he said.

Dipke alleged that students at some schools were being treated “worse than animals” and urged voters to demand that political leaders prioritise education before seeking votes.

“People should also tell the leaders coming to their village, irrespective of political parties, to work for education. Tell them not to come for votes at our doorstep till they work for education. For politics, we come out of our homes with flags of caste and community. Similarly, we should come out for the schools of our children,” he added.

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He also criticised political leaders for focusing on religious issues instead of problems affecting students.

“These people keep saying that religion is in danger. The religion did not end in so many years, and it is coming to an end in your tenure? The religion will not go anywhere, but the future of kids can get affected,” he claimed.

‘Education minister should not continue’

Asked whether Bhuse should continue as school education minister, Dipke said the condition of government schools showed that he should leave the post.

“The condition of schools makes me feel that the education minister should not continue in the post. If the government wants to understand the urgency of improving government schools, ministers and elected representatives should send their own children to study in these schools,” he said.

Dipke also called on ministers and MLAs to send their children to government schools to understand the problems faced by students.

He alleged that the government had failed to make substantial improvements in government schools despite being in power for several years.

“Students are still studying in schools with leaking tin roofs and without adequate benches. If these basic problems could not be resolved in 10 years, the government must explain what it has achieved,” he said.

CJP seeks safer access to schools

Dipke said the CJP and local residents would jointly raise issues affecting government schools and press the authorities to provide safe transport for students who walk several kilometres to attend classes.

Referring to reports of children allegedly dying from snakebites in schools, he said such incidents showed gaps in providing safe access to education.

He also raised concerns over unhygienic conditions at a school inspected by the CJP team, alleging that scrap and garbage accumulated behind the premises had created conditions that could attract snakes.

Dipke said inspections by the CJP had already led authorities to start some work at schools.

He also called for greater public participation in raising local issues and said more organisations and movements should emerge in a democracy.

“People have begun finding their voice again. More organisations and movements should emerge in a democracy. The more people come forward and speak, the stronger our democracy will become,” he said.

Dipke raises NEET paper leak concerns

On the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak case in Latur, Dipke alleged that the investigation appeared to be concentrating on lower-level accused while bigger persons were being protected.

“It is difficult to believe that such a case could have taken place without the involvement of senior officials in the system. Merely arresting a few lower-level persons and claiming action is not enough,” he said.

Dipke also said young voters would become an important electoral force by the 2029 elections and political parties would have to address their concerns.

He warned that protests could spread across villages if the government failed to improve the condition of public schools and said young voters could hold governments accountable if their concerns were ignored.