Prakash Raj calls Sonam Wangchuk ‘conscience of the nation’, thanks him for his sacrifice as he ends hunger strike

The talks between two senior government ministers and two leaders of the self-named CJP in New Delhi on Friday came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike overnight.

The cause has since morphed into a wider Gen Z movement calling for structural changes to the education system and labor market, with thousands taking part in demonstrations in major Indian cities in recent days.

The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.

The CJP ​movement wants Pradhan to step down over exam paper leaks that affected 2 million students in May and have been linked to several student suicides.