Samiran Phukan, general secretary of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), launched a sharp attack on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday, alleging that the group's ongoing visits to government schools are destabilizing Assam. Phukan claimed these actions are part of a broader effort to disturb regional peace, linking the school audits to alleged drug trafficking networks operated by outsiders. "A volatile situation has started with steps like making visits to Assam schools," Phukan stated, suggesting a coordinated attempt to exploit the state's vulnerabilities.
The CJP, which launched the "School Thik Karo" campaign to assess infrastructure and facilities in government schools across the state, reacted with visible frustration. In a post on X, the organization expressed being "deeply shocked and disappointed" by Phukan's remarks. CJP leaders specifically pointed to AASU's historic role in the Assam Movement, arguing that the current statement sounded more like the voice of a BJP spokesperson than that of an independent student organization.
"At times, it sounded more like the voice of a BJP spokesperson than that of a historic student organisation," the CJP said in its response. The group rejected the narrative of instability, framing its visits as a necessary civic duty to assess the true conditions of education in the state. They emphasized that political maneuvering should not overshadow the immediate needs of students and teachers in government institutions.
CJP extended a direct invitation to AASU to join its #SchoolThikKoroAbhiyan, urging members to visit schools, interact with faculty, and raise questions about infrastructure. "Politics can wait. Assam's students cannot. Joi Aai Axom," the CJP concluded, shifting the focus from the political dispute to the practical assessment of school facilities. The exchange marks a fresh public disagreement between the two organizations over the role of civil society in addressing challenges in Assam's education sector.
AASU has not yet responded to CJP's invitation to join the school audits. Phukan's comments, which cited "jihadi networks" and drug menace, have intensified the political tension surrounding the campaign. The CJP plans to continue its visits to government schools across the state, while AASU remains focused on countering what it perceives as external threats to the region's stability.