Youth protests have weakened Modi, Indian activist who went on hunger strike tells BBC
Activist Sonam Wangchuk claims that recent youth-led protests against exam paper leaks have significantly weakened Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The movement, which gained momentum through Wangchuk's hunger strike, has forced government concessions, including the resignation of the education minister and promises of systemic reform.
Why it matters
The protests highlight the political power of India's youth demographic and their growing frustration with unemployment and institutional corruption.
Figure caption, Youth can change things, says education activist Sonam Wangchuk
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 they can "change things if they want to" and feel they don't have to "take everything lying down", the 59-year-old said.
The "cockroach" movement mounted one of the biggest public displays of dissent against Modi's government, which has been in power since 2014.
The movement takes its name from a remark by India's chief justice, who drew criticism after comparing sections of unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during a court hearing.
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