Student protests persist in India as activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk concluded a 26-day hunger strike on Friday following negotiations with federal ministers, yet student-led demonstrations over leaked medical entrance exam papers remain entrenched. The unrest, described as the most significant youth challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration since 2014, has triggered severe security measures in Delhi, including the closure of 16 metro rail stations and the suspension of mobile internet services in central areas.

Wangchuk, 59, announced the cessation of his fast on social media platform X late on Thursday, citing extensive negotiations regarding various conditions and concerns over potential violence. He broke his fast in the presence of two federal ministers, though he did not elaborate on the terms of the talks, promising instead to release details in a subsequent video. Prime Minister Modi urged the activist to follow medical advice and regain the weight lost during the prolonged strike.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the movement leading the protests, has maintained its demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and wider systemic reforms. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the protests would continue until Pradhan steps down, emphasising that Wangchuk’s sacrifice must not be in vain. The demonstrations, which began as an online satire, have drawn thousands to the Jantar Mantar protest site and spread to cities including Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata.

In response to the crisis, Modi announced the establishment of special courts to prosecute those responsible for the exam leaks, which affected approximately two million students in May and are linked to several student suicides. However, the CJP rejected the proposal, arguing that fast-track courts do not address the root causes of the leaks. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka questioned why paper leaks occur in the first place, noting that similar courts have not resolved other systemic issues.

The government’s response has included strict operational disruptions in the capital. Authorities ordered telecom firms to block mobile internet services, a move that has also halted digital payments for shops and restaurants. The New Delhi Traders Association advised businesses in the Connaught Place area to close early due to security concerns. Clashes have occurred at protest sites, with police using tear gas and batons against demonstrators, while some protesters have allegedly attacked officers with stones.

Opposition parties have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament in solidarity with the youth movement, and top Bollywood celebrities, including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor, have voiced support for the students via social media. Despite the government’s promise of stricter actions to be announced at a cabinet meeting, the CJP and its supporters remain committed to nationwide demonstrations, alleging police brutality during previous marches.