Modi pledges action on exam leaks as activist ends hunger strike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised fast-track courts to punish those responsible for examination paper leaks in his first direct response to youth-led protests. Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after the government offered assurances about not prosecuting peaceful protesters and providing compensation for suicide victims. However, student activists said they would continue protesting until the Education Minister resigned.
The protests, driven by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party formed in May, have centered on New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street. Demonstrators encountered tear gas and baton charges, prompting international rights groups to criticize forceful police tactics and mobile internet suspensions.
Beyond demanding the education minister's resignation, the movement seeks dropped charges against peaceful protesters and significant financial aid for families of more than twenty students who died by suicide after recent exam cancellations. While the government has promised parliamentary discussions and non-prosecution, student leaders insist on continuing until the minister steps down.
The government's pledge of fast-track courts could partially ease public anger over systemic exam failures, yet the refusal to remove the education minister may sustain youth-led momentum. A prolonged standoff could further weaken trust in state institutions among students and parents, potentially shaping future educational policy debates. The negotiated end to the hunger strike might set a precedent for handling civil dissent, though the unresolved ministerial demand could trigger renewed confrontations in the capital.