India ‘cockroach’ activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike as protests spread

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Sonam Wangchuk halted strike amid concerns about ‘possible violence’ in India as protest movement urges demonstrations across country on Friday over police brutality</p><p>Indian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jul/17/indian-protester-hunger-strike-modi-government-sonam-wangchuk">“cockroach” activist Sonam Wangchuk</a> ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday over an exam paper scandal that has spiralled into a wideranging youth-led protest against Narendra Modi’s government, with protesters continuing to call for the education minister to resign.</p><p>Wangchuk said on social media that he ended the hunger strike in Delhi in the presence of two federal ministers at the urging of scores of members ⁠of parliament, and after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country”. He did not elaborate on the talks but promised to lay out details in a video soon.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/24/india-cockroach-protest-sonam-wangchuk-ends-hunger-strike">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.