Sonam Wangchuk, the Indian climate activist who has been at the forefront of a high-stakes protest against India's education system, is fighting for his life after weakening dramatically on the 19th day of his hunger strike. As his body succumbs to severe starvation, he can barely speak and requires assistance just to move. The gravity of Wangchuk's situation has prompted an Indian court to order authorities to monitor his health.
Wangchuk joined a growing protest movement in Delhi on 28 June 2026, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding fundamental reforms to India's education system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The CJP was founded just over two weeks ago by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old Indian activist, in response to the cancellation of a nationwide medical college entrance exam due to a paper leak on 7 May 2026.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and reports indicate that up to a dozen students took their own lives after being forced to retake the examination. The CJP has since gained significant traction across India, attracting support from students, parents, academics, and social media influencers, all united in their frustration with an education system heavily reliant on a single, high-stakes examination.
As public pressure mounts, opposition politicians have begun to criticise the Narendra Modi government's silence, describing it as a failure to engage with the aspirations of its people. With Wangchuk's health rapidly deteriorating, questions are being raised about the Indian government's response to this unfolding crisis and its implications for British students considering studying or working in India.