Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26‑Day Hunger Strike After Negotiations

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended a hunger strike after 26 days of fasting in support of the youth‑led education protest movement.

In a post on X, Wangchuk stated that he finished fasting "after a long negotiation on various conditions" and to avert "possible violence in the country". The 59‑year‑old, known as "Sonam sir", had been a prominent supporter of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), whose members demand the resignation of India's education minister.

During the strike Wangchuk lost 11kg (24lb) and was forcibly removed from a protest venue in Delhi last Saturday, afterwards taken to hospital. He has since recovered and announced his decision to lift the strike.

Wangchuk emphasized that the conditions reached included a pledge from authorities not to use force against protesters, a key factor in ending the hunger strike. The move is viewed as a significant step toward mitigating potential unrest amid the nationwide youth protests calling for reforms in the education system.

This breaking news story is under continuous updates; more details will be published shortly.