Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Hunger Strike Amid Growing India Protests

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after negotiations with government officials and Ladakh leaders. He said he stopped the fast partly due to concerns about possible violence amid growing student-led protests across India. The demonstrations, which began over an education scandal, have expanded into broader criticism of the government. Wangchuk continues to seek assurances for student protesters, compensation for affected families and the resignation of the education minister.

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a 26-day hunger strike after government officials and political leaders held discussions with him and representatives of Ladakh's leadership, as tensions continue to rise over the country's student-led "Cockroach" protest movement.
The 59-year-old activist announced on Thursday that he had ended his fast in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, as well as senior leaders from the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
Wangchuk said his decision followed lengthy negotiations over several demands and concerns about the possibility of further violence during the ongoing protests.

ACTIVIST ENDS FAST AFTER 26 DAYS

Wangchuk began his hunger strike on June 28 in solidarity with the youth-led Cockroach movement, which initially focused on concerns about India's education system and a leaked medical examination paper scandal.
The protest movement has since expanded, attracting students, professionals and families who are expressing broader dissatisfaction with the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Wangchuk said 65 members of India's Parliament from different political parties had either visited him or appealed to him to end his hunger strike.
He also urged protesters and supporters to remain vigilant and avoid violence.

PROTESTS GROW BEYOND EDUCATION SCANDAL

The Cockroach movement began as a student-led campaign calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations surrounding leaked medical examination papers.
However, the demonstrations have grown into a wider expression of frustration over education, government accountability and other political concerns.
The growing movement has also attracted support from people outside the student community, increasing pressure on the government to respond to the protesters' demands.
Wangchuk's hunger strike became one of the most visible symbols of the movement, drawing national attention to the protesters' concerns.

POLICE CLASH WITH PROTESTERS IN NEW DELHI

The announcement came as protesters again gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, despite new restrictions imposed by authorities.
The gathering followed overnight clashes between protesters and police, during which security forces reportedly used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds.
It was the second confrontation between activists associated with the movement and police in the same week.
Earlier in the week, another protest ended in violent clashes after demonstrators reportedly defied police orders and marched towards Parliament.
Dozens of people were arrested following the confrontation.
The unrest has raised concerns about the possibility of further violence if tensions between protesters and authorities continue to escalate.

WANGCHUK CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES

Although Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, he said he was still seeking assurances from the government on several issues.
Among the demands he highlighted were compensation for families of students who had died by suicide and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Earlier on Thursday, Wangchuk had offered to end his hunger strike if authorities provided assurances that student protesters would not be harmed.
His decision to end the fast therefore appears to mark a pause in the protest campaign rather than the conclusion of the wider dispute.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION CRITICISES CRACKDOWN

The protests have also become a major political issue.
India's opposition Congress Party has criticised the government's handling of the demonstrations and called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to resign over the police response.
The government, however, has faced the challenge of balancing public order and the right to protest as demonstrations continue to attract wider participation.
The situation has also placed India's authorities under greater scrutiny over their response to youth-led political movements.

A PAUSE, NOT AN END, TO THE PROTEST MOVEMENT

For Wangchuk, ending a 26-day hunger strike brings an important personal relief after weeks of physical hardship.
For the students and families involved in the wider movement, however, many of the issues that brought them onto the streets remain unresolved.
The decision to end the hunger strike may reduce immediate pressure on the government and lower the risk of further confrontations, but the continuing protests suggest that public anger has not disappeared.
The coming days will show whether negotiations between the government and representatives of the protesters can produce meaningful progress or whether the movement will continue to grow.
For now, Wangchuk has called for calm and warned against violence, while urging authorities and protesters to find a peaceful path forward.