"Cockroach" activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike, but the youth movement that rallied around him has vowed to continue its protests.
Mr Wangchuk's fast galvanised the protests, which were sparked more than a month ago by alleged leaks in some of India's most competitive entrance exams.
Initially demanding education reforms, the movement has since drawn in broader public frustrations over unemployment, government accountability, and economic opportunity.
Demonstrations have been held in the capital New Delhi and cities across the country, becoming one of the biggest challenges to Narendra Modi since he became prime minister in 2014.
The satirical Cockroach Janta Party took its name from a comment by the chief justice of India's Supreme Court, who compared unemployed young people to cockroaches.
In a post on X, Mr Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers following "a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country". He did not elaborate.
Protest leaders said demonstrations would continue until the country's education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned.
They called for nationwide protests on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to parliament.
Demonstrators said the march on Monday was dispersed with tear gas and batons, with further violence reported on Wednesday when protesters gathered in central Delhi.
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"We won't let Sonam sir's sacrifice go in vain," said Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party.
It comes a day after Mr Modi announced fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination leaks.
He also said his government would introduce legislation to crack down on exam paper leaks.
But protesters have rejected his proposals, saying they fail to address their demands for government accountability.
(c) Sky News 2026: 'Cockroach' activist ends hunger strike as Indian youth movement vows to press on with protests<
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