Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent Indian activist known for his unyielding spirit, has broken his 26-day hunger strike in the heart of Delhi. The protest, which had ignited a nationwide youth movement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, came to an end on Friday after extensive negotiations with two federal ministers and mounting concerns about potential violence.
The hunger strike, initially sparked by the high-profile exam paper leak scandal, has morphed into a powerful expression of discontent among India's young people. The 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) movement, which has spearheaded these protests, is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his alleged failures to prevent such leaks in May, which reportedly affected two million students and have been linked to several student suicides.
With tens of thousands of young Indians taking to the streets, these protests mark one of the most substantial youth-led challenges to Modi's administration since he came to power in 2014. The movement gained further momentum after allegations emerged of police brutality during a large march on parliament earlier this week. In solidarity with the students, the CJP has called for nationwide demonstrations to be held on Friday, sparking widespread disruptions.
Prime Minister Modi finally broke his silence on Thursday, announcing plans to establish special courts to prosecute those responsible for the exam paper leaks. However, he later hinted that more stringent actions would follow a cabinet meeting on Friday. The CJP has dismissed these proposals as insufficient, arguing they fail to address the root causes of recurring leaks. Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka questioned why paper leaks persist, highlighting scepticism about their effectiveness.
Delhi authorities have implemented restrictive measures to manage the protests, including the closure of 16 metro stations in central areas and suspension of mobile internet services. These actions, widely viewed as attempts to suppress demonstrations and prevent further unrest by human rights organisations, have inconvenienced thousands of commuters and impacted local businesses reliant on digital payments. Protests have reportedly spread to major Indian cities, including Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata.
The escalating crisis has drawn the attention of opposition parties, who have echoed the demands of the youth movement, leading to disruptions in parliament's monsoon session that commenced this week. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive action to address the concerns of India's young people.