Irom Sharmila, who undertook the worlds longest hunger strike lasting nearly 16 years, says that it is not the individual who counts in a strategic form of protest. She thinks popular mobilisation and support are more important. Reflecting on the recent resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sharmila said the government acquiesced because of the cross-country support for the demands of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). People, she said, had taken a united stand, which was necessary for a collective goal. She had been on a hunger strike in Manipur between 2000 and 2016 for the repeal of a draconian law, which drew some support but was not successful.