Sonam Wangchuk Ends 26-Day Fast; India's CWG Athlete Quota Cut to 11
In a significant development late Thursday night, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after prolonged negotiations with the central government. The decision was made in the presence of Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Wangchuk, who had been demanding action on several issues related to Ladakh's development and environmental protection, said he agreed to end the fast 'in view of possible violence in the country.' He stated he would soon disclose the conditions under which he made the decision.
Despite the end of the fast, the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi remained active. Hundreds of supporters continued to gather, with volunteers distributing food, water, and fans. Mobile data services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of the protest area were blocked, leaving many supporters unaware of Wangchuk's decision until they left the zone.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games Federation has announced a reduction in India's athlete quota for the 2026 Glasgow Games from 16 to 11. This cut comes as several sports that contributed significantly to India's medal tally in the 2022 Birmingham Games—including badminton, hockey, wrestling, table tennis, squash, and cricket—have been excluded from the Glasgow programme. India had won 61 medals in Birmingham, with nearly half coming from these sports. The quota reduction is expected to impact India's performance, as the country's hopes now rest on a narrower base of athletics and other remaining disciplines.
In other news, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the first flight test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) off the coast of Odisha. The missile, with a range of over 200 kilometres, is designed to protect strategic assets from aerial threats. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a milestone in indigenous defence research and said it would reduce import dependency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that a tough new law to tackle exam paper leaks is on its way. In a video message, he said the draft would be discussed in a Cabinet meeting on Friday and that efforts would be made to pass the bill in Parliament starting the second week of the session. This comes amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party and opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Columnist Neerja Chowdhury, in a weekly analysis, noted the fine line between government toughness and arrogance, especially when young citizens express distress over a faulty education system. She emphasised the need for responsive governance.
