Al Jazeera staff and Reuters contributed to this report.

The hunger strike drew national attention as it coincided with widespread protests over exam integrity.

Published On 23 Jul 202623 Jul 2026

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a series of examination paper leaks.

In a post on X late Thursday night, the 59-year-old activist stated he ended the fast after prolonged discussions on various terms and due to concerns about possible unrest in the country.

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He said he would describe the conditions in a separate video.

Wangchuk’s announcement came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video address on X, saying he will bring a tougher law to check paper leaks.

Modi said the administration is working on measures to expedite court proceedings against individuals involved in the leaks and noted that the cabinet would take up the matter on Friday.

In his video address, Modi called the leaks a “matter of great pain” for hundreds of thousands of students, without mentioning Pradhan.

The activist had been fasting since June 28 in support of India's youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is calling for Pradhan's resignation after medical college entrance test paper leaks forced millions to retake the exam.

Meanwhile, thousands of pro-CJP protesters continue to rally at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site and cities across the country in one of the biggest challenges for Modi since his 2024 re-election for a third term.

The Jantar Mantar site has seen bouts of unrest and violence this week. On Monday, the protests snowballed after police fired tear gas and baton-charged demonstrators as they tried to march to parliament.

Rights groups Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the Indian government over “excessive use of force” by the police and suspension of mobile internet services at Jantar Mantar.

Reacting to Wangchuk ending his hunger strike, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday night said he was “relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike”.

“Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country,” he posted on X.

“The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”

Exam paper leaks have plagued India for years, undermining trust in the education system and affecting millions of students. The Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-led movement, has been at the forefront of demanding accountability. Prime Minister Modi's promise of a tougher law signals the government's acknowledgment of the crisis. With thousands still rallying in New Delhi and other cities, the protests represent one of the most significant challenges to Modi's administration since his 2024 re-election.