Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike for 26 days in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), says he has lost 11kg (24lb) but is "still alive". Popularly known as "Sonam sir", Wangchuk has been the main draw at the youth-led movement seeking education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He was forcibly removed from the CJP's protest venue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar site on Saturday and taken to hospital where he continues his fast. Meanwhile, thousands continue to turn up at the protest venue even after the brutal police crackdown on Monday's march to parliament which left scores of protesters and police injured. The violence has stirred public anger and galvanised India's opposition, posing a challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Modi has not commented directly on the protests or engaged with the protesters, but on Thursday, he posted a statement on X that is being seen as an attempt to reach out to students who have been frustrated with repeated exam paper leaks.
Published: July 23, 2026 3:22 pm
Source: BBC — Read original