Hunger strike sparks mass youth protests and education minister’s resignation

Mass demonstrations in India, fuelled by Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike in Delhi, forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign and prompted government pledges on exam reform and compensation, Wangchuk said.

Wangchuk, who fasted on salt and water and lost then partially regained weight, told the BBC the protests changed the national atmosphere and gave young people renewed confidence to challenge the status quo. He said he was forcibly taken to hospitals during the final six days of his fast.

The protests began after widespread anger over leaked exam papers, escalating into one of the largest displays of dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since 2014. Following the demonstrations, the government announced fast-track courts for those accused in the leaks, appointed a tech billionaire to lead examination reform efforts and said it would offer compensation to families of students who took their own lives after exam questions were leaked.

Wangchuk argued that India’s education system needs fundamental reform because current exams—often multiple-choice and designed for mass assessment—do not measure practical skills or job-relevant understanding and thereby shape teaching methods in ways that do not meet labour market needs.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The protests led to the resignation of the education minister and triggered official steps on exam reform and compensation, according to the government announcements cited. Wangchuk’s hunger strike and public demonstrations increased youth confidence and public visibility of long-standing concerns about exam design and graduate unemployment. Authorities have also faced criticism over actions taken against protesters, while the Supreme Court reportedly directed that coercive measures not be used against those without prior records.

Wangchuk, who has previously campaigned for greater self-rule in Ladakh, said he would not run for office and prefers to enable others to enter public life. He returned to Leh 12 days after ending his fast and said he drew inspiration from non-violent resistance traditions.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Sonam Wangchuk staged a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi, consuming only salt and water.
• Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after the protests; government announced fast-track courts, a tech executive to lead exam reform, and compensation plans for affected families.
• Protests erupted over leaked exam papers and highlighted concerns that current exam formats fail to assess job-relevant skills.