Key facts
- Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 26 days.
- He has lost 11kg (24lb) and is currently in the ICU at Medanta Hospital.
- Wangchuk refuses to end his fast without government assurance against retaliatory action on students.
- Protesters continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Clashes between police and protesters on Monday resulted in injuries and arrests.
Indian activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 26 days, losing 11kg, and continues his fast from a hospital bed. He was forcibly removed from the protest venue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and taken to hospital, where he is being treated in the ICU. Despite appeals from government officials, including Health Minister JP Nadda, Wangchuk stated he would only end his hunger strike if given an assurance that no force or retaliatory action would be used against students. The protest, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to alleged repeated leaks of major public exams. Clashes between police and protesters on Monday resulted in injuries and arrests, with authorities also closing several Delhi metro stations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue, announcing fast-track courts for paper leak culprits and emphasizing the importance of youth welfare.