BJP Paying the Piper as India’s Student Protest Movement Intensifies

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he has lost 11 kilograms (24 pounds) after 26 days on hunger strike in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) student movement but remains determined to continue his protest. Wangchuk, widely known as “Sonam Sir,” has become a leading figure in the youth-led campaign demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He was removed by authorities from the protest site at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday and shifted to a hospital, where he continues his fast under medical supervision.

The demonstrations have continued to grow despite Monday’s police crackdown on a march toward Parliament, during which scores of protesters and police personnel were injured. The unrest has intensified pressure on Modi’s government and energized opposition parties.

The CJP rejected the government’s response, arguing that the core issue is preventing paper leaks rather than merely punishing those involved after the fact. Protest spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the movement would continue until its demands were met. Meanwhile, Wangchuk remains a central symbol of the protests, with placards and posters at Jantar Mantar highlighting his fast. Admitted to the intensive care unit at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, he has said he is willing to end his hunger strike only if the government guarantees that no force or retaliatory action will be taken against students. He also praised the restraint shown by protesters during the recent police action, calling on authorities to respond through dialogue rather than repression.

While numerous writers, journalist, entertainers and sports personalities have been joining the protest and supported the CJP Movement calling it an action to end extremist elements from the government and society at large. The International Observers are of a view that Modi’s tenure has been the worse ever in Indian history spreading extremism and terrorist mins-set among the general population and using religion to incite citizens.