Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face of India’s widely discussed ‘Cockroach’ youth movement, has called for reforms to the country’s political system and the selection of honest, capable leaders. The 60-year-old engineer, environmental activist and educator said public trust in elections, examinations and government officials has declined. He began a hunger strike supporting the movement on June 28 and ended it on July 24 after 26 days, during which he lost about 11 kilograms and his health became critical.

The movement began in May over allegations of a leaked question paper for India’s national medical college entrance examination. The cancellation of the examination affected about 2 million students, prompting young people to protest in Delhi and other places. Protesters’ main demand was the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

After weeks of protests, police repression and Wangchuk’s fast, Pradhan resigned on July 25, a development protesters viewed as a major political success. Wangchuk said young people had overcome fear and regained the power to protest. He opposes forming a political party and instead wants the movement to remain a pressure-building citizens’ campaign that holds the government accountable on education and other public-interest issues.