Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike Amid Protests Against Exam Scandal in India
On Friday, Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 26-day hunger strike in Delhi, a protest sparked by an exam paper scandal that has ignited widespread demonstrations among youth against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Protesters are continuing to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Wangchuk announced the end of his fast on social media, stating he was persuaded by two federal ministers and a group of parliament members, amid concerns over potential unrest in the country. He promised to share more details about the negotiations in an upcoming video.
The protests, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), have called for national demonstrations to support students who accused authorities of using excessive force during a march to the parliament that drew tens of thousands of participants. In response, Modi’s government has encouraged dialogue with the protestors.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed gratitude towards Wangchuk for his steadfastness and assured that protests would persist until Minister Pradhan steps down. He emphasized, “We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain.”
The movement is centered around allegations of exam paper leaks that affected around two million students earlier this year, with some cases reportedly linked to student suicides. In his first comments related to the protest, Pradhan assured the public of the government’s intent to address concerns and improve exam protocols.
The protests are significant, marking the largest youth mobilization against Modi’s administration since he took office in 2014. Opposition parties have also voiced support for the student movements, adding pressure during the current parliamentary session.
As Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, Modi urged him to focus on recovery and regain his health. Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators remained at the Jantar Mantar site in Delhi, showcasing their frustration with the government’s response amid heavy security presence. Major disruptions included the closure of metro stations and restricted mobile internet services in central Delhi, affecting both protesters and local businesses.
Protest activities have spread to various cities across India, including Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata. Authorities took steps to limit access to areas where protests are ongoing, with reports of 16 metro stations being shut down.
In a move to address the exam paper leaks, Modi announced the establishment of special courts to prosecute those responsible, emphasizing the significance of youth welfare. However, the CJP criticized this approach, questioning the root causes of such scandals. “Why are paper leaks happening in this country in the first place?” CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka asked.
Later in the day, Modi also hinted at more stringent measures against paper leaks to be discussed in an upcoming cabinet meeting.
Prominent Bollywood figures, including Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt, have voiced their support for the protests through social media, commending students for standing united in their cause.
