Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as Modi pledges tougher exam leak laws
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces cabinet review of legislation following the conclusion of Sonam Wangchuk’s protest, though youth-led Cockroach Janta Party insists systemic reform remains necessary.
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has concluded a 26-day hunger strike that demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following widespread examination paper leaks. Wangchuk, 59, announced the cessation of the fast on social media platform X late on Thursday, stating that the decision followed extensive negotiations regarding various conditions and concerns over potential violence across the country. He indicated that the specific terms of the agreement would be detailed in a separate video release.
The announcement came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a video address on X, in which he pledged to introduce stricter legislation to prevent future leaks. Modi described the breaches as a matter of significant distress for hundreds of thousands of students and confirmed that the government was developing measures to expedite court proceedings against those involved. He further noted that the issue would be placed before the cabinet for discussion on Friday.
Wangchuk had initiated the fast on June 28 in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that has escalated from a digital satire campaign into a substantial political challenge for the federal government. The CJP has been protesting at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and across the nation, arguing that legal penalties alone are insufficient and that ministerial accountability and systemic educational reforms are required.
CJP spokesman Ashutosh Ranka responded to the Prime Minister’s address on social media, asserting that the party would continue its campaign to establish accountability. Ranka noted that while fast-track courts have been proposed in the past, they do not address the underlying structural issues within the education system. He maintained that the government must focus on fixing the system and removing the Education Minister to restore trust.
The protests represent one of the most significant challenges for Modi since his re-election for a third term in 2024. The movement initially gained momentum following the leak of medical college entrance test papers, which compelled millions of students to retake the examination. With millions of followers on social media, the CJP has broadened its scope to include broader systemic grievances, including youth unemployment, while continuing to demand the resignation of Pradhan.
