Tripathi was involved in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare as a volunteer. He campaigned with Arvind Kejriwal encouraging the youth to join the agitation. While initially his family were upset with his decision to join the movement and told him to concentrate on IAS exams, later they supported him. Later, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a political outfit that rose from the movement under Kejriwal's leadership. He led agitations across Delhi on various public issues.