Indian activist ends 26-day hunger strike that lead to youth protest

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike on Friday that helped galvanise a youth movement that has become one of India's largest protests in recent years.

But demonstrators have vowed to continue until the education minister resigns after alleged leaks in some of the country's competitive entrance exams.

Sonam Wangchuk breaking his 26-day fast surrounded by his wife Gitanjali Angmo, Indian Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.

Sonam Wangchuk, Activist said: "Sensitivity towards the children who have been victims, towards the youth who were peacefully protesting on those dates. And that both ruling party MPs from the opposition have assured me that their discussions will happen on the floor of the parliament regarding the reforms in the examination system."

Wangchuk's fast became a rallying point for India's 'Cockroach' protests which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country's more competitive entrance exams.

Saurav Das, Cockroach Janta Party said: "It was about time that he broke his fast and we are all very happy that he did. However, we will not let his hunger strike go to waste. We will get this to the end, we will finish what we started and that includes accountability of (Education Minister) Dharmendra Pradhan."

Organisers of the demonstrations say they will continue until the education minister resigns. They have called for demonstrations across India Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament on Monday that drew thousands.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi post on social media, "Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary issue. For hundreds of thousands of students and their guardians this is extremely painful."

Modi also said his government would introduce legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.

The announcements did little to calm the movement as protesters said they failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.

The movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity.