Indian Activist Concludes 26-Day Hunger Strike for Justice

WHO:

AP - Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, stated, "We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain."

NDTV - Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Sonam Wangchuk to follow medical advice and regain his health after he ended his hunger strike.

BBC - Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian activist and supporter of youth-led protesters.

WHAT:

NDTV - Prime Minister Modi stated, "The government is also positively considering suitable compensations for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks."

NDTV - Modi announced that discussions would take place in the Cabinet regarding fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases, with plans to pass the bill as soon as possible starting from "Monday, when the second week of Parliament starts."

NDTV - Prime Minister Modi stated, "The government is positive about not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to the Parliament on July 20, 2026."

NDTV - Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, breaking his fast with the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

NDTV - The government assured that no legal action would be taken against the Jantar Mantar protesters.

[AP] - The "Cockroach" protests have become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in competitive entrance exams.

[AP] - Protest organizers have called for demonstrations across the country on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament.

[AP] - Modi announced fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination paper leaks and stated that his government would introduce legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.

[AP] - Protesters expressed that Modi's announcements did not address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

[AP] - The hunger strike became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago.

[AP] - Protest organizers stated that demonstrations would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

[AP] - Demonstrations were called across the country in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament.

[AP] - Thousands of protesters returned to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons to disperse marchers.

BBC - Sonam Wangchuk concluded a hunger strike after 26 days.

BBC - The hunger strike was part of a movement demanding education reforms.

WHERE:

BBC - The activism is taking place in India, specifically against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

WHY:

AP - Protesters expressed that Modi's announcements did not address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

[AP] - Protesters are motivated by a lack of response to their demands for accountability and reforms, as highlighted by Fabeha Sayyed, who questioned why Modi had not asked the education minister to resign.

[AP] - The protests are fueled by broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability, and economic opportunity.

BBC - Wangchuk stated he wanted to avert "possible violence" related to the protests.

HOW:

NDTV - Wangchuk ended his fast after a long negotiation involving assurances from the government regarding the treatment of protesters and discussions on educational reforms, which included appeals from "dozens of members of parliament."

NDTV - Wangchuk ended his fast after "a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country."

NDTV - Wangchuk ended his fast after a long negotiation involving assurances from the government regarding the treatment of protesters and discussions on educational reforms.

[AP] - Wangchuk ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after negotiations involving dozens of members of parliament.

BBC - The hunger strike was a method used by Wangchuk to draw attention to the demands of the youth-led movement.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 02:48 UTC)

Prime Minister Modi announced that the government is considering suitable compensations for the victims of recent NEET paper leaks and will discuss the establishment of fast-track courts for these cases in the Cabinet, with plans to pass the bill starting on Monday, when the second week of Parliament begins. In related news, activist Wangchuk has ended his fast after lengthy negotiations that involved assurances from the government about the treatment of protesters and discussions on educational reforms, bolstered by appeals from dozens of members of parliament. These developments highlight the government's response to ongoing issues surrounding examination integrity and the rights of students.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 16:24 UTC)

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, emphasized the importance of honoring Sonam sir’s sacrifice, stating, "We won’t let it go in vain." Prime Minister Modi expressed a positive stance on not registering cases against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar and announced plans for Cabinet discussions on fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases, aiming to pass the bill starting from the second week of Parliament. However, protesters voiced their dissatisfaction, claiming that Modi's announcements failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms, and compensation for families affected by student suicides linked to exam paper leaks.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 14:36 UTC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Sonam Wangchuk to follow medical advice and focus on regaining his health after Wangchuk ended his hunger strike at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, where he broke his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. The government has also assured that no legal action will be taken against the protesters at Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk concluded his fast following extensive negotiations that included government commitments on the treatment of protesters and discussions about educational reforms.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 12:23 UTC)

The "Cockroach" protests have emerged as one of India’s largest demonstrations in recent years, with participants demanding education reforms following alleged leaks in competitive entrance exams. Organizers have planned nationwide protests on Friday to show solidarity with students who faced police violence during a march to Parliament, while Prime Minister Modi announced fast-track courts to address examination paper leaks and promised new legislation. However, protesters feel that Modi's announcements fall short of their demands for government accountability, examination reforms, and support for families of students who tragically died by suicide amid these issues.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 07:50 UTC)

The hunger strike has become a rallying point for India's "Cockroach" protests, which have been ongoing for over a month, as demonstrators demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in solidarity with students who faced police violence during a march to Parliament, despite police using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds. Wangchuk ended his fast after negotiations with two federal ministers, which involved dozens of members of parliament, highlighting the broader public anger over issues like unemployment and government accountability.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 05:54 UTC)

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a hunger strike that lasted 26 days, which was part of a movement advocating for education reforms in India. His actions were aimed at drawing attention to the demands of youth-led protesters and to help avert "possible violence" related to the ongoing demonstrations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Wangchuk's commitment to this cause highlights the urgent call for change within the education system.