India 'cockroach' activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike as protests spread

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, known for his 'cockroach' protest movement, ended a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi on Friday in the presence of two federal ministers. He stated that he ended the strike after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country, promising to release a video with details soon.

The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, have called for nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with students who alleged police brutality during a march on parliament on Monday. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his courage and sacrifice but said protests would continue until Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. "We won't let Sonam sir's sacrifice go in vain," Dipke added in a video message.

The CJP movement seeks Pradhan's resignation over exam paper leaks that affected 2 million students in May and have been linked to several student suicides. On Tuesday, Pradhan said the government was committed to addressing concerns and reforming exams.

The protests have drawn tens of thousands to the streets, representing the biggest youth challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he came to power in 2014. Opposition parties have echoed the movement's demands and disrupted the monsoon session of parliament.

After Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, Modi urged him to follow doctors' advice and regain lost weight. Thousands remained at the Jantar Mantar protest site on Thursday, carrying anti-government posters and chanting slogans amid heavy security. The protests have shut metro stations, blocked mobile internet services, and curtailed business in central Delhi. Protests have also spread to other cities including Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata.

Authorities in Delhi shut down 16 metro stations on Thursday, inconveniencing thousands of commuters. The government also ordered telecom firms to block mobile internet in the area, affecting not just protesters but also shops and restaurants relying on digital payments. Human rights groups view these measures as an attempt to curb protests and prevent violence.

On Thursday, Modi gave his first public response to the crisis, announcing that special courts would be set up to prosecute those behind paper leaks. "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!" he posted online. However, the CJP rejected the proposal, arguing that fast-track courts have not solved similar issues in the past. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka asked why paper leaks happen in the first place. Later, Modi said the government would announce stricter actions against paper leaks at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

Top Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor supported the protesters on social media, saying it was heartening to see students come together for a cause.