The recent youth-led protests have weakened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “terribly”, says leading activist Sonam Wangchuk whose hunger strike galvanised the movement. Wangchuk told the BBC that the atmosphere in the country had changed following mass demonstrations which triggered the resignation of the education minister on 25 July. Young people now have more confidence
Indian activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, on hunger strike for the past 20 days in Delhi, has been forcibly removed from his protest site. The 59-year-old had been protesting in support of an online satirical movement called the Cucaracha Janta Party (CJP), which seeks education reforms. Protesters had planned a march to the Indian parliament
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan denied that his character in “3 Idiots” was based on educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, addressing the long-running rumor during a BFI In Conversation event at BFI Southbank, held as part of the London Indian Film Festival, which separately marked the 25th anniversary of “Lagaan.” “No, that’s not true, actually.
Activist Anna Hazare’s 13-day fast in 2011 gave new impetus to an anti-corruption campaign that briefly captured the national imagination. Irom Sharmila, who was protesting against the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in northeast India, refused food for 16 years and survived only because authorities force-fed her through a nasal tube. Medha Patkar, a
“Today is day 16 of his hunger strike and his blood sugar and blood pressure have dropped and every time he tries to sit down or get up, he feels very dizzy,” Dipke told the BBC. “It’s hard for him to even walk to the bathroom. He’s really struggling. He’s in a lot of pain,