The violence has sparked public anger and galvanized India’s opposition, posing a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Modi has not commented directly on the protests or engaged with protesters, but on Thursday he released a statement on X that is seen as an attempt to reach out to students who have been frustrated by repeated exam leaks.

“Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our youth,” he wrote.

“We have decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in the paper leaks…This continues our series of measures to safeguard the interests of students…Those who attempt to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”

A CJP spokesperson, however, said the real questions that needed to be addressed were why paper leaks occur and who benefits from them.

“Medication is applied after an injury, but our struggle asks why the injury has to happen,” Ashutosh Ranka said in a video on X, indicating that the protesters will not back down until their demands are met.

Although Wangchuk is no longer at the protest site, many of the banners and posters have slogans about his fast and drawings of him.

Before being taken to hospital, he endured 21 days in the scorching summer heat of Delhi with nothing but salt and water.

In a statement on Wednesday, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, said the activist was admitted to the ICU.

“He is being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors. He is currently stable, oriented and his vital signs are within accepted parameters. All treatment administered to him is in accordance with his informed consent.”

On Wednesday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, dozens of opposition MPs, activists and celebrities renewed their demand that he call off his hunger strike.

Health Minister JP Nadda, who visited the activist in the hospital on Tuesday night, said he had also asked him to break his fast.

“We asked about his health and well-being. We also asked him to break his fast, join the mainstream and guide children in the right direction,” he said, adding that the government was open to discussing the issues raised by Wangchuk.

But Wangchuk has rejected all pleas.