Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as 'Cockroach' protesters vow to press on

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on July 24, helping to galvanize a youth movement that vowed to continue until the education minister resigned. The following day, India's education minister stepped down, and protesters celebrated the outcome.

The "Cockroach" movement, formally known as the Cockroach Janta Party, began with exam paper leaks and evolved into India's biggest student movement in years. The protests have been described as one of the largest public displays of dissent against Prime Minister Modi in years and perhaps the biggest challenge to his authority during his 12 years in office.

Wangchuk told the BBC that youth protests have weakened Modi. The movement has faced violent suppression, with ballistic experts identifying wounds on protesters consistent with pellet-gun fire. Women protesters reported being doxxed and subjected to slut-shaming for their participation.

The movement has inspired further youth-led agitations. A new protest over jobs and recruitment gathered force in Jharkhand state weeks after the Delhi protests, with police firing tear gas at thousands of students and job seekers gathered to seek exam reforms.