Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike over exam paper leaks
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a 26-day hunger strike after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to introduce stricter legislation addressing examination paper leaks. Wangchuk had been fasting in solidarity with youth demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over medical college entrance test breaches.
Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old activist, concluded his extended hunger strike late Thursday following a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi committing to enact tougher legal measures against examination paper leaks. The activist had initiated his fast on June 28 in support of a youth-led political movement calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's removal over security failures in medical college entrance examinations.
Modi's public statement characterized the examination breaches as a significant concern affecting hundreds of thousands of students across India. In his announcement ending the strike, Wangchuk indicated that negotiations had taken place regarding various conditions and cited concerns about potential civil unrest as factors in his decision. He stated he would provide further details about the agreed-upon conditions in a subsequent video message.
The hunger strike represented a high-profile protest against what activists view as systemic failures in India's educational examination system. Wangchuk's action drew attention to broader concerns about the integrity of competitive entrance examinations that determine access to prestigious medical institutions.
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