Indian activist Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after forced hospitalisation

New Delhi – Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), began an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday at the residence of Sonam Wangchuk, the noted engineer and education reformer who has recently entered the political arena. The fast, announced via a statement released by the CJP, is intended to draw attention to the party’s demand for immediate implementation of its proposed “Grassroots Governance Act,” which calls for greater decentralization of municipal resources and stricter anti-corruption measures in local administrations. Dipke, 42, arrived at Wangchuk’s home in the early morning hours and has remained on site, refusing food while maintaining contact with party officials and media representatives.

The CJP, a minor political group that gained limited visibility in the last state elections, has previously organized protests against perceived delays in policy reforms championed by Wangchuk’s nascent political movement. Wangchuk, who has been advocating for educational and infrastructural reforms in the region, has not publicly responded to the fast, though his spokesperson confirmed that security and health protocols are being observed. Observers note that indefinite fasts have historically been used in Indian political activism to exert pressure on policymakers, and the outcome will likely depend on negotiations between the CJP and Wangchuk’s team. No official timeline for the conclusion of the fast has been set.