Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a 26-day hunger strike [3] at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The protest highlights growing public frustration with alleged systemic irregularities in India's national examination processes and the demand for ministerial accountability.

Wangchuk began the indefinite fast on June 28, 2026 [1]. He joined forces with Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, and other protesters to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The activists cited alleged exam paper-leak scandals as the primary driver for the demonstration.

The movement gained momentum as it progressed, with khap leaders joining the effort. By early July, the broader protest had entered its 35th day [2]. The demonstration focused on the need for accountability within the education system to protect students from the fallout of leaked papers.

During the early stages of the movement, reports indicated that Wangchuk's health began to deteriorate as the protest entered its 11th day [4]. Despite the end of his specific fast, organizers from the Cockroach Janata Party said the wider protest will continue until Pradhan resigns [2].

Dipke said the group would also address election-related issues as part of their ongoing activities at the site. The presence of various civic leaders and activists at Jantar Mantar has kept the issue of educational integrity in the public eye throughout the summer.

“Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike”

The hunger strike by a high-profile figure like Sonam Wangchuk amplifies the pressure on the Indian Ministry of Education. By linking exam leak allegations to a demand for a minister's resignation, the protest shifts the narrative from administrative failure to political accountability, signaling a deepening rift between educational activists and the current government administration.