Activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike
Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days, the Indian activist said Friday on his X account.
The 59-year-old had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in solidarity with India's youth-led Cockroach movement.
For over a month, the student-led "Cockroach" protests have been calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over a leaked medical exam papers scandal.
But the movement has since grown beyond students' grievances over the country's education system. It has also drawn professionals and families while channeling broader frustration against the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk wrote.
He added that 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or otherwise urged him to break the fast.
Wanghuck, who was moved from the Jantar Mantar protest site by police on Saturday, said he had decided to end his hunger strike "after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country." ALSO READ: Aamir Khan Says His Character Rancho From '3 Idiots' Was Not Based on Sonam Wangchuk
"Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he added.
Just now in the presence of Union Ministers Sh. JP Nadda, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break… pic.twitter.com/RFCet7Oksy
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
Days of protests, crackdowns
Earlier on Thursday, Wangchuk had offered to end his hunger strike if the government agreed not to harm student protesters.
The protesters defied new restrictions to once again gather on Thursday at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, after overnight clashes saw police use tear gas and batons to disperse crowds.
It was the second such confrontation between Cockroach party activists and police this week.
Announcing the end of his hunger strike, Wangchuk said he was seeking assurances from the government, including compensation for families of students who committed suicide, and the resignation of India's education minister.
A Cockroach movement protest on Monday ended in violent clashes with police and dozens of arrests, after protesters defied police orders and marched toward parliament.
The opposition Congress Party called for Modi and his Home Minister Amit Shah to resign over the police crackdown. ALSO READ: Congress Slams PM Modi's Paper Leak Video, Questions Silence on Student Protests
