On Monday, tens of thousands of people, primarily students and young people, marched to the Indian Parliament from Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of India’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, for his ministry’s failure to address leaks of India’s national medical entrance test. More than 20 students have committed suicide since the government cancelled the test earlier this year due to the leaks, forcing thousands of students to retake the exam.

Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer, and activist, has been on a hunger strike for 21 days to protest the government’s lack of accountability for the leaks. On Sunday, he was forcefully taken to a government hospital, where he continues his fast. CJP supporters and organizers announced they would also begin a hunger strike after Wangchuk was taken away.

As of July 21, protesters continue to gather as they wait for a formal government response. Opposition parties and leaders have joined the protests, demanding accountability for paper leaks and the brutal police crackdowns. HRF calls on Indian officials to respect the constitutionally-protected right to peaceful assembly.