As Sonam Wangchuk ends his 26-day hunger strike, the student-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar are ongoing. The protests became a global spectacle after Sonam joined the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party in solidarity on June 26, 2026. Demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, and a reformed education system is the core of the protests. The protests have led to further global outcry after the Delhi police cracked down on the peaceful protestors; tear gas was released, and batons were charged. Over 70 students were taken into custody, and 15 first information reports (FIRs) were filed against them.
Why Indian students stormed Jantar Mantar?
The protests have been triggered by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam leak, where millions of students were stripped of their future after exams were called off. This led to stress, despair, and uncertainty among students, leading to several suicides across the country. The net of exam leaks spread from Jaipur to Kerala, where students paid over 28 lakh to acquire the exam. The exam paper was leaked from a printing company in Nasik and travelled across the country. The scandal opened up when an unknown person reached out to the police in Udhyog Nagar, where he was completely dismissed. He then emailed the National Testing Agency, which probed the case and involved the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The investigation led to the exam cancellation on May 3, 2026.
What is the future of Indian doctors?
While the hunger strike has come to an end, the protestors continue to march towards the Parliament demanding a resignation and upheaval of the education system. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has promised a swift inquiry and a fast-track court to ensure justice. He said that the culprits behind the scandal will be arrested and that the government will not take any legal action against the arrested students. While promises are made, the protestors remain adamant, insisting that the Minister of Education be brought down and a wave of new policies be implemented to protect India’s educational system.
