NEW DELHI — Indian climate activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday after negotiations with government officials, but leaders of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” protest movement vowed to continue nationwide demonstrations until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged examination paper leaks.
Wangchuk, 59, announced that he had broken his fast after what he described as “long negotiations” and amid concerns that the prolonged standoff could lead to violence. He said the decision came after discussions with senior government officials and assurances related to the ongoing student movement.
His hunger strike, which began on June 28, became a rallying point for one of India’s largest youth-led protest movements in recent years. The demonstrations were sparked by allegations of widespread leaks in medical college entrance examinations and other competitive tests, fueling public anger over exam integrity, unemployment, and government accountability.
Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, organizers of the Cockroach Janta Party, the satirical movement leading the protests, said demonstrations would continue peacefully until Pradhan steps down. Protest leaders are also seeking compensation for families of students who reportedly died by suicide following the exam leak controversy and broader reforms to India’s examination system.
On Friday, protest leaders met with two cabinet ministers after the government requested additional time to respond to their demands. Talks were expected to continue, although no agreement had been announced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the issue publicly for the first time, pledged stronger measures to combat examination fraud, including fast-track courts and tougher laws against paper leaks. However, protest leaders said the proposals do not address political accountability and insisted that the education minister should resign.
The demonstrations have drawn tens of thousands of students and supporters to New Delhi and other major cities, despite police restrictions, road closures, and occasional clashes with security forces. Protesters say repeated exam leaks have undermined confidence in India’s education system and jeopardized the futures of millions of young people competing for limited university placements and government jobs.
Wangchuk, best known internationally for his education initiatives in Ladakh and as an environmental campaigner, has become a prominent voice on issues ranging from climate change to governance. His decision to join the students’ campaign elevated the movement’s visibility both within India and abroad.
Although Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, protest organizers said the movement will continue through peaceful demonstrations until their key demands, including greater accountability for the examination scandal and reforms to protect the integrity of India’s testing system, are addressed.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
