A 26-day hunger strike by the Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended on Thursday night after he received assurances that parliament would address protesters' concerns over an exam paper leak scandal. The announcement came as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) – the satirical movement that has evolved into a youth-led protest platform – held talks with the government, but failed to secure an immediate resignation of the education minister.
Wangchuk, who had been fasting in Delhi, said in a video from his hospital bed that he had been promised accountability in the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the leaks. He also said the government had assured him that no cases would be registered against those arrested during a mass march on parliament on Monday that saw a police crackdown leaving dozens injured.
“Activist Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike after government assurances, but protests continue over exam paper scandal.”
Minutes before Wangchuk ended his fast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a video message – shot vertically, an apparent attempt to reach young Instagram users – pledging a tough new law against exam paper leaks. “We have received a draft and want to introduce it soon in parliament,” he said.
But the CJP’s core demand remains unmet. Party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told reporters the government had asked for a day to decide on education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. “The protest will continue and will keep growing until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” Ranka said. “If that does not happen soon, we will be forced to announce another nationwide protest call.”
Federal minister JP Nadda said the government would inform the CJP on Saturday “about the discussion we had among the government”. Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his “courage and sacrifice” and warned: “We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain.”
The protests, which began more than a month ago, have become a major headache for Modi’s government. They were triggered by the leak of the medical entrance exam NEET, which saw 2.28 million candidates sit on 3 May only for the test to be cancelled days later. The scandal has been linked to more than a dozen student suicides. On Friday, CJP supporters called a nationwide day of protest, with the movement vowing to continue until Pradhan resigns.