Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike, citing long negotiations and the potential for violence in the country. The 59-year-old made the announcement on his X account on Thursday.

Wangchuk began his fast on June 28 in solidarity with India's youth-led Cockroach movement, which demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a leaked medical exam papers scandal.

In his statement, Wangchuk said he broke his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh. He noted that 65 parliament members from various parties had visited or urged him to end the strike.

A Cockroach movement protest on Monday turned violent, with clashes against police and dozens of arrests after protesters defied orders and marched toward parliament. The opposition Congress Party called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to resign over the crackdown.

Wangchuk said he decided to end his hunger strike "after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country." He urged vigilance against violence. Earlier, he had sought government assurances, including compensation for families of students who committed suicide and the education minister's resignation.

Source: www.dw.com