On June 28, 2026 social activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike at the protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a mandatory nationwide exam for admission to college-level medical courses. Wangchuk also sought the speedy resolution of talks around constitutional demands in his home territory of Ladakh. Wangchuk had voiced his support for the CJP earlier, called himself an “honorary cockroach,” and attended the peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. He fasted for 20 days before being forcibly removed by police personnel and taken to a hospital, where he continued his fast. On the 26th day of Wangchuk’s fast, a delegation of union ministers met him at the hospital and persuaded him to end it. His decision followed a public assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his cabinet would take “strict action” over the mismanagement of the examination through the parliamentary process, as well as assurances concerning Wangchuk’s other demands.
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