Protests calling for the resignation of the education minister continued, and Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk on 23rd July completed a 26-day hunger strike in protest against leaked medical school entrance exam papers, which he claimed helped candidates cheat in the exams, the largest youth-led protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Youth protesters, organised by the self-styled ‘Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’ movement, are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because of the leakage in the examination papers of some 2 million students in May, which is connected to several student suicides.

He had just finished his fast in front of two federal ministers after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country”, Wangchuk wrote on X. He did not elaborate on ​the talks but promised to lay out details in a video soon.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed his gratitude to Wangchuk, 59, for his “courage and sacrifice” and added that the movement would carry on till Pradhan’s resignation. He added in a video message that the sacrifice of Sonam sir will not be in vain.

Late on Tuesday, Pradhan, in his first comments since demands for his resignation ⁠were made, said that the government was committed to addressing concerns and reforming exams.

The protests mark the biggest challenge by the youth against Modi since his 2014 government. Opposition parties have echoed the demands of the youth movement as well as stalled the monsoon session of parliament, which started this week.

Following Wangchuk’s exit from the hunger strike, Modi had appealed to the activist to adhere to the doctor’s advice and “regain weight lost while on fast.”

The protesters have appealed for pan-Indian rallies on Friday, in protest at the police brutality that allegedly occurred during the march by tens of thousands of people to parliament on Monday.

The number of protesters, bearing anti-government posters and carrying slogans, reached thousands at the Jantar Mantar protest site by Thursday afternoon, amidst a heavy security presence. The protests have blocked metro stations and mobile internet services, and restricted business in the heart of the capital city, Delhi.

The protests have also been seen in other cities like Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata, local media reported.

Restrictions imposed in Central Business District

Authorities in the Indian capital Delhi closed down 16 metro stations in and around the heart of the city on Thursday, causing disruption to thousands of commuters, as the protesters have been camped there.

In addition, the government directed telecom companies to suspend mobile internet in the area, which hindered protesters as well as shops and restaurants from accepting digital payments over the phone, sources told Reuters.

Meanwhile, the bustling Connaught Place area was informed on Thursday to close its offices and businesses after the New Delhi Traders Association received a call from municipal authorities to do so on account of the security situation in the region.

Human rights activists generally interpret the measures as an effort by the authorities to put down protests and stop any new episodes of violence.

On Wednesday night, over 10,000 people were present at the protest camp in Jantar Mantar. A few police officers were injured as some of the protesters hurled stones and plastic bottles at the police, Delhi Police quoted news agency ANI.

In Monday’s clashes ​during the march on parliament, police used tear ​gas and canes to push back the protesters.

Protesters reject Modi’s special courts proposal.

In his first public reaction to the crisis, earlier on Thursday, Modi announced that special courts would be established to prosecute such exam paper leaks.

The welfare and future of our youth is of the utmost importance. Modi posted on X.

But CJP rejected the proposal, saying what ​courts do after paper leaks is just one aspect of the problem.

“But Modi-ji, what is the reason for the paper leaks in this country in the first place?” In Hindi, this is ‘Sir’, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.

“Fast-track courts are established in this country for all other matters; whether or not those fast-track courts have provided any solutions to those other matters – you know, and we know the answer to that question.”

Later in the day, Modi posted on social media that the government will take tougher measures against paper leakage at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

Top Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor, ⁠supported the protesters ​via social media posts, saying it was heartening to see students come together to fight for a cause.

CJP started out as a satirical blog and is still run by a small number of youngsters, as it was originally established.

The rise in popularity of the movement has been because of frustrations among young Indians about the lack of jobs, frequent exam leaks, etc.