Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as ‘Cockroach’ protesters vow to press on – AP News
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike, but protesters in India’s Cockroach movement say they will continue demonstrating until the education minister resigns. Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for the protests,
NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that’s become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, as demonstrators took to the streets, vowing to continue protesting until the education minister resigns.
Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams. Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.
The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands joining after police used tear gas and batons to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament on Monday.
