Education activist Sonam Wangchuk asserts that recent youth-driven protests have significantly undermined Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following a hunger strike that lasted 26 days, Wangchuk noted a palpable shift in the national mood, culminating in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.
The movement, nicknamed the Cockroach movement, grew from public outrage over compromised examination papers. It has become one of the most substantial displays of opposition against the government since 2014. Wangchuk, who endured his fast in Delhi’s intense heat, argued that the government’s delayed response to the crisis gave young citizens a rare opportunity to organize and find their collective voice.
While the administration has introduced reforms, including fast-track courts for exam leak cases, Wangchuk contends that the core issue of graduate unemployment, which has remained around 35-40% for years, persists. He advocates for a fundamental overhaul of the education system to prioritize practical aptitude over rote learning, better aligning graduates with modern job requirements.
Despite reports of ongoing harassment against protesters, Wangchuk remains optimistic about the potential for change. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s methods of non-violent resistance, the 59-year-old engineer maintains that self-sacrifice is a potent tool for shifting government policy. He currently has no intention of entering electoral politics, preferring to empower others to seek office instead.
