Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day fast after Modi assures stricter action on paper leaks

Fast Ends After Assurance from PM

Environmental and political activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday. The decision came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured stricter action against recurring exam paper leaks across the country.

Wangchuk, a prominent figure from Ladakh, had been demanding a high-level probe and stricter laws to stop the leak of competitive exam papers that have affected lakhs of students. The government's assurance marked a significant breakthrough in the long-running standoff.

Sources told NDTV that the Centre had been in continuous touch with Wangchuk and his team for days before the breakthrough. The talks intensified after Wangchuk's health began to show signs of strain from the prolonged fast.

'Beginning of Accountability'

Speaking to reporters after breaking his fast, Wangchuk described the outcome as the 'beginning of accountability'. He said he had voluntarily extended the fast by two days because negotiations were still underway.

“I did not want to give up midway. The extra days were necessary to ensure that the assurances were concrete and time-bound,” Wangchuk said. He added that the agreement includes a commitment to set up a permanent mechanism to prevent paper leaks, though officials have not yet confirmed the details of the mechanism.

The Telegraph India reported that the Modi government's assurance has put the Congress and opposition parties in a bind. Critics have questioned why such an assurance was not given earlier, while supporters of the government say it shows the Centre's willingness to listen to genuine activists.

'Cockroach' Protesters Vow to Continue

While Wangchuk's fast has ended, another group of protesters — calling themselves the 'Cockroach' movement — has vowed to press on with their demands. The group, which has been active for several weeks, is demanding a separate state for the Ladakh region and greater autonomy from the central government.

Their choice of name, 'Cockroach', is a deliberate provocation: they say they will survive any attempt to crush them. They have rejected the deal that ended Wangchuk's fast, calling it insufficient. “Wangchuk fought for exam leaks. Our fight is for our land and our identity,” a protest leader said.

The split in the protest movement highlights the complex nature of demands from Ladakh. While some issues can be addressed through policy changes, others require constitutional amendments that are far more difficult to achieve.

What the Deal Means

The Quint, in its analysis, noted that the Wangchuk-government deal has put both the Congress and the opposition in a bind. The Congress has been demanding action on paper leaks for months, but has been outflanked by an activist who achieved results through a fast.

The agreement is being seen as a political win for the Modi government, which has managed to end a high-profile agitation without making any major concessions. But the 'Cockroach' protesters remain a challenge, and their refusal to back down means the issue of Ladakh's demands is far from resolved.

Wangchuk, for his part, has said he will monitor the implementation of the assurances. He has not ruled out resuming his agitation if the government fails to deliver on its promises.

What happens next depends on how quickly the government sets up the promised mechanism against paper leaks. The 'Cockroach' protesters have said they will not end their stir until a separate state is granted. For now, the immediate crisis is over, but the underlying tensions remain.