Indian police end activist's hunger strike protesting exam cheating

Indian police forcibly ended a 20-day hunger strike by prominent civil society activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was protesting widespread cheating in university entrance examinations. Wangchuk, 59, along with about 20 students, began his fast on June 28, demanding the resignation of the education minister over the alleged examination irregularities.

Authorities intervened on Saturday, transporting Wangchuk to a hospital due to his declining health. Local media reported that security forces clashed with some protesters during the operation. A police official stated that the transfer was based on a Supreme Court order, medical recommendations, and Wangchuk's deteriorating condition.

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Acting on the decree issued by the Supreme Court, based on medical recommendations, and due to the deterioration of Sonam Wangchuk's health, the latter was transferred to the hospital to receive medical care.

Wangchuk's wife, Gyaltsen Angmo, voiced concerns on X, requesting that no medical interventions, oral or intravenous, be administered to her husband without her, his family's, or his attending physicians' consent. Wangchuk had previously been released in March after six months in jail for advocating for the autonomy of the Ladakh region.

The protests stem from a recent exam scandal that led to the cancellation of results for over two million medical school aspirants. Reports suggest that several candidates died by suicide following the decision. Wangchuk had joined a protest movement initiated by a recent US graduate, known as the "Cockroach Party," which is campaigning against higher education scandals.

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Do not provide any substance orally or intravenously (to my husband) without my consent, or the consent of our family, or the doctors who have been monitoring his condition for 20 days.