NEW DELHI, July 24 — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26‑day hunger strike today after meeting government ministers, even as student‑led protests over leaked medical entrance exam papers continued across several cities.
The demonstrations, reported by France 24 and Reuters, have grown into a major youth‑driven challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government following allegations that exam paper leaks enabled widespread cheating.
Wangchuk said on X that he broke his fast “in the presence of two federal ministers” after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country,” adding that he would explain the talks in a video soon.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, which leads the protests, said it would continue demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, with founder Abhijeet Dipke thanking Wangchuk for his “courage and sacrifice.”
“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,” he said in a video message.
Pradhan said earlier in the week that the government was committed to addressing concerns and reforming exam processes.
The protests have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament, with opposition parties echoing student demands and staging repeated walkouts.
Modi urged Wangchuk to follow medical advice and regain weight lost during the fast.
Student groups called for nationwide demonstrations today in solidarity with protesters who alleged police brutality during a march on parliament on Monday.
Thousands returned to the Jantar Mantar protest site yesterday, chanting slogans and carrying anti‑government posters amid heavy security.
Authorities shut 16 metro stations in central Delhi and ordered telecom firms to block mobile internet services in the area, which disrupted digital payments and forced businesses in Connaught Place to close early.
Human rights groups criticised the restrictions as attempts to curb protests and prevent further clashes.
Delhi Police said some protesters threw stones and plastic bottles on Wednesday night, injuring several officers.
Police used tear gas and batons during Monday’s march to push back demonstrators.
Modi said yesterday that special courts would be set up to prosecute those responsible for exam paper leaks, calling youth welfare the government’s priority.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka rejected the proposal, asking why paper leaks occur so frequently and questioning the effectiveness of fast‑track courts.
“Fast-track courts are set up in this country for every other issue, but whether those fast-track courts have actually solved those issues — you know the answer to that question, and so do we.”
Modi later said stricter measures against paper leaks would be announced at today’s cabinet meeting.
Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor voiced support for the protesters on social media.
The CJP movement began as an online satire project involving only a few hundred youths, but has surged in popularity amid frustration over job shortages and repeated exam scandals.
Date: 24 July, 2026 11:01 am
Source: Malay Mail
💬 Join the Conversation! 💬
We’ve disabled comments on our posts and pages to keep the discussions organized and lively! But don’t worry – the conversation isn’t over. Head over to our forum and share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with the community! It’s the perfect place to connect, learn, and engage with others who care about the same things. We can’t wait to hear from you!