Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike as Protests Over Exam Leaks Persist Across India

The current unrest stems from widespread exam paper leaks in May 2026. These irregularities primarily affected the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), impacting approximately two million students across India and triggering demands for systemic accountability.

During a May 15 Supreme Court hearing, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant referred to certain unemployed youth and activists as "cockroaches" and "parasites of society". In response, Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist who previously handled social media for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), launched the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on May 16. The group's name was chosen to reclaim the Chief Justice's remark while serving as a satirical parody of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). What began as an online satirical project quickly gained a massive social media following and became a prominent organizing platform for the student demonstrations. The CJP's primary demand is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the compromised exams.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement by initiating an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with the students. On the 21st day of his strike, On the 21st day of his strike, authorities moved Wangchuk from the protest site at Jantar Mantar to a hospital based on orders from the Delhi High Court, which intervened to monitor his deteriorating health and ensure his safety. Wangchuk eventually ended his 26-day strike on July 23 after holding negotiations with government ministers.

Despite the end of Wangchuk's hunger strike, CJP- and opposition-party-backed demonstrations persist in cities including Kolkata and Pune. Recent clashes in Delhi have resulted in 178 reported injuries, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters.

1. Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on July 23, 2026, after securing a commitment from government officials that authorities would not use force against protesters.

2. Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh conducted the negotiations with Wangchuk to resolve the standoff.

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the establishment of special courts to prosecute individuals responsible for the exam paper leaks, aiming to address the systemic failure.

4. Wangchuk stated he ended the fast to prevent potential violence, prioritizing the safety of the student movement.

1. The Cockroach Janta Party rejected the government proposal for special courts, arguing that the measure fails to address the underlying causes of the exam paper leaks.

2. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticized the Indian government for the excessive use of force and the suspension of mobile internet services in central Delhi.

3. The Cockroach Janta Party continues to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and 1 Crore(10 million) rupees in compensation for each student who died by suicide following the leaks.

4. Delhi Police reported that 118 security personnel and 60 protesters sustained injuries during recent clashes, highlighting the ongoing volatility of the demonstrations.

5. Protests have expanded beyond Delhi to cities including Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata, indicating that the movement remains active despite the end of the hunger strike.