Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike in New Delhi on Friday following negotiations with federal ministers. The fast fueled youth-led Cockroach Janta Party protests demanding accountability for competitive exam paper leaks and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed new anti-leak legislation.
The youth-led movement that mobilized thousands of students across Indian cities continued its demonstrations on Friday, despite the end of the high-profile hunger strike led by activist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk called off his 26-day fast early Friday after meetings with federal ministers.
The fast had transformed into a focal point for the Cockroach Janta Party movement. Protest organizers say the demonstrations will persist until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down over irregularities that affected millions of students.
Wangchuk’s Fast and Negotiations
Wangchuk, 59, began his fast in support of students demanding systemic changes following leaked medical school entrance exam papers. During his 26 days without food, he drew intense public attention.
His protest faced friction with authorities. Police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.
The breakthrough came when federal ministers visited Wangchuk.
Wangchuk stated that he ended the fast following a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.
He added that the government provided assurances that no cases would be registered against students and young people who took part in mass protests in Delhi on Monday.
Clashes at Parliament and Capital Security Lockdowns
The resolution of the hunger strike unfolded against a backdrop of acute unrest in New Delhi. On Monday, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched toward Parliament. Police deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds, leaving protesters and officers injured.
Authorities implemented severe restrictions across central Delhi to contain the demonstrations. Police and municipal services shut down 16 metro rail stations on Thursday, disrupting transport for commuters. Officials also directed telecom operators to suspend mobile internet services in the central district, preventing local shops and restaurants from processing digital phone payments.
Opposition parties have echoed the youth movement’s demands and have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament that began this week.
Prime Minister Modi’s Legislative Proposals and Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the unrest publicly for the first time mid-week, announcing plans to establish fast-track courts to prosecute exam paper leaks. In a separate video message, Modi also said his government would introduce a legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Following the end of Wangchuk’s fast, Modi urged the activist to follow doctors’ advice and regain the weight he has lost.
Despite these governmental commitments, the youth leadership argued that the proposals failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das noted that representatives would meet with government officials on Friday to outline demands in greater detail, but emphasized that street demonstrations would not stop.
“We hope that the government comes with an open mind and it will listen to the people of this country who have been out on the roads for so long. We will explain our demands to them in greater detail. And we hope that the government will listen to us.”
Saurav Das, CJP Spokesperson
The Cockroach Janta Party’s Ongoing Demands
The Cockroach Janta Party is a satirical group that has spearheaded the movement, named in reference to a remark by the country’s supreme court chief justice that compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches. The movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity.
While the government has negotiated on protest conditions and legal immunity for demonstrators, organizers maintain that the core political demand remains unfulfilled.
“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,”
Abhijeet Dipke, CJP Founder
Dipke confirmed that protests will continue alongside nationwide solidarity actions until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns from his post.