Leading Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk stated that recent youth-led protests have significantly weakened Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, telling the BBC that the demonstrations have instilled greater confidence in young people to enact change.
Wangchuk, who concluded a 26-day hunger strike in July, said the atmosphere in India has shifted following mass demonstrations that prompted the resignation of the education minister. He believes young people now feel empowered to challenge the status quo, stating they "don't have to take everything lying down."
The movement, dubbed the "Cockroach" movement, emerged as one of the most significant public displays of dissent against Modi's administration since it came to power in 2014. The name derives from a remark by India's chief justice, who drew criticism for comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches."
Wangchuk undertook his hunger strike in Delhi, consuming only salt and water. He reported being forcibly taken to hospitals, which he described as "more like prisons," during the final six days of his fast. The protests escalated from anger over leaked exam papers to become some of the largest anti-government demonstrations in years.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 26, the day after Wangchuk ended his hunger strike. In response to the protests, Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts to address exam leak allegations and appointed a technology executive to lead reforms of the examination system. The government also committed to providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide following the leak of examination questions.
However, the notes indicate that India faces deeper, long-standing issues, with graduate unemployment rates hovering around 35-40% for the past 25 years. Wangchuk has since recovered six of the 11 kilograms he lost during his hunger strike.