New Delhi, July 24 -- Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday. The Ladakh-based activist's fast helped galvanise a youth-led movement that has grown into one of India's largest protests in recent years, prompting the Narendra Modi government to reach out to demonstrators and promise action on their demands.

After Sonam's decision, protesters under the banner of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) vowed to continue until the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns - their main demand among many.

Wangchuk's fast became a rallying point for India's "Cockroach" protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after NEET paper leaks.

Since then, the movement has transformed ...