CJP Founder Dipke and AISA Activists Call Off Hunger Strike After Plea from Opposition Leaders and Civil Society

It was a weary, sun‑baked morning at the university campus when Dipke, the founder of the Citizens’ Justice Party (CJP), finally lowered his head and signalled the end of a hunger strike that had stretched for almost a week. He was not alone – three young activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) stood beside him, their faces a mixture of relief and lingering frustration.

The fast, which began on Monday, was launched to demand a swift inquiry into alleged irregularities in the state’s welfare‑scheme allocations. The protesters argued that funds earmarked for marginalized communities were being siphoned off, leaving the very people the scheme was meant to help in a lurch.

For days, the quartet held their ground in front of the legislative assembly, refusing food and water, their resolve punctuated by occasional media briefings. “We wanted to make sure the issue was not brushed aside,” Dipke told reporters on the second day, his voice hoarse but steady.

But the tide began to turn when senior opposition legislators, together with noted civil‑society figures, visited the protest site. Their approach was not confrontational; instead, they appealed to the activists’ sense of duty and health. “We respect your commitment, but a protest can take many forms,” said one veteran opposition MP, urging the hunger strikers to shift to a more sustainable form of demonstration.

The appeal resonated. Within hours, the activists decided to halt the fast, acknowledging the sincere concern expressed by the lawmakers and NGOs. “Our bodies are not weapons,” one AISA member murmured, “and we will continue the fight, just not by starving ourselves.”

While the immediate crisis was averted, the underlying grievance remains on the table. Opposition leaders have pledged to raise the issue in the assembly and demand a parliamentary committee probe. Civil‑society groups have also promised to monitor the implementation of any recommendations that may arise.

As the crowd dispersed, Dipke thanked the legislators and activists for their support, emphasizing that the movement’s momentum would not wane. “We’ll keep pushing, but we’ll do it in ways that keep our voices strong and our bodies healthy,” he concluded.