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India news: Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike tests Modi
India news: Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike tests Modi
Mahima Kapoor with AP, AFP, ReutersPublished 07/14/2026Published July 14, 2026last updated 07/14/2026last updated July 14, 2026Indian activist Sonam Wangchuks has been fasting in protest of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan since over two weeks. As his health deteriorates, the pressure piles up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H2oqWhat you need to know
- Cockroach party warns activist Sonam Wangchuk's health deteriorating amid indefinite hunger strike
- Wangchuk says won't end fast until government agrees to dialogue
- One Indian killed, others injured in Iran strike on UAE tankers in Strait of Hormuz
- India foreign ministry summons Iran's deputy ambassador, lodges 'strong protest'
- India launches 'SHANTI' campaign for non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council
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https://p.dw.com/p/5H5dWSkip next section Indian political leaders extend support to Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike07/14/2026July 14, 2026Indian political leaders extend support to Sonam Wangchuk amid hunger strike
Several regional political leaders from across India dialed in to check on environmental and education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk who is on the 17th day of a hunger strike in New Delhi. None of them belonged to India's ruling Bharatiya Janta Party.
Wangchuk, the Cockroach Janta Party and supporting students are camped at the capital's historic grounds of Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG scandal, where a question paper leak led to the cancellation of a medical exam taken by over 2 million candidates.
CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke earlier reported that Wangchuk was rapidly losing weight and muscle mass with blood sugar dropping to abnormally low levels.
In a series of posts on X, Dipke said he spoke to Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and National Congress Party leading figure Rohit Pawar. Some urged the activist to end his hunger strike and some extended support for the CJP and Wangchuk's upcoming march to parliament on July 20.
"Despite demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the government remains indifferent. An undeclared ban on the media is being imposed in an attempt to suppress this movement," Pawar said in a post on X, referring to how India's largest News television channels were not covering the protest in Jantar Mantar.
"The BJP government, which he is attempting to awaken through his fast unto death, is itself a principle-less and corrupt system," Yadav said in another post. "In its insensitivity and heartlessness, the sacrifice of anyone holds no significance," he said, urging Wangchuk to end his fast.
Wangchuk has refused to end his fast until Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government engages in meaningful dialogue with the protesters.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H5JOSkip next section India slaps $15 million fine on HP and its resellers over rigged bids07/14/2026July 14, 2026India slaps $15 million fine on HP and its resellers over rigged bids
India's competition regulator has ordered computer maker HP to pay a $15 million (Rs 142 crore, €13.15 million) fine after it was found guilty of rigging bids on the government's online procurement platform.
The competition commission of India found that HP India dictated bid prices to resellers and selectively withheld authorization documents to control which of them could compete for government contracts.
Five sellers were found to have colluded with HP India in tenders for personal computers while 16 were found to have colluded in case of supplying printers.
What's happening with government tenders in India?
Tech resellers DW spoke with alleged that HP is not the only large company involved in rigging bids.
"This is happening with most large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) since the last 4-5 years," one reseller alleged, asking not to be named since he is a government supplier.
The government made it compulsory for OEMs to authorize the products of resellers on Government E-Marketplace (GeM) in phases, starting 2020. Now, OEMs like HP hold power over the resellers who cannot successfully bid without an authorization letter, creating space for rigged bids, he explained.
"The OEM structure that the government has created on the e-marketplace is pushing out smaller dealers and giving the command in the hands of the big multinationals," he said.
Another reseller said the situation had led to the rise of a special kind of middleman — those brokering deals between OEMs and resellers.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H4ozSkip next section WATCH: How water is shaping the India-Pakistan rivalry07/14/2026July 14, 2026WATCH: How water is shaping the India-Pakistan rivalry
India has been ramping up pressure on Pakistan, recently threatening to restrict water flows from the Indus River System. Pakistan has warned that such a move could lead to war.
What is behind the latest dispute between the two rivals, and what role does the Indus Waters Treaty play?
Watch this explainer by DW's geopolitics team:
https://p.dw.com/p/5H4JeSkip next section 'The boat pinned them down': Vietnam boat accident survivor recounts07/14/2026July 14, 2026'The boat pinned them down': Vietnam boat accident survivor recounts
Days after a speedboat full of Indian tourists capsized in Vietnam killing 15 people, a survivor's account of the tragedy has emerged.
Nirmal Kumar, one of the 20 Indian survivors who returned to his country on Sunday, said the boat was turned upside down by waves within three minutes of them boarding. He recalled the events in an interview to the Press Trust of India.
"A massive, extremely rough wave hit the boat, causing it to tilt slightly. Suddenly, the passengers on the left side fell toward the right, shifting the entire weight and flipping the boat completely upside down," he said.
Kumar explained how the boat's crew were the first to jump into the water. He and about 20 others followed their suit.
However, those seated at the back of the boat did not have enough time to escape.
"Because it was a closed boat, about 15 members got trapped inside. Even though they were wearing life jackets, the capsized boat pinned them down, and they couldn't make it out," he added.
According to Kumar, rescue teams arrived the spot within 10 minutes and pulled out those who were floating outside the boat. But they could only get to the trapped tourists after 20-30 minutes.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H3XgSkip next section India 'deeply concerned' by attacks on commercial vessels, summons Iran's deputy ambassador07/14/2026July 14, 2026India 'deeply concerned' by attacks on commercial vessels, summons Iran's deputy ambassador
India's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it is "deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today."
The UAE-linked commercial vessels were carrying a combined crew of 46 people including 30 Indians. One Indian was killed and 10 others were injured, two of whom are seriously hurt, the statement said.
New Delhi lodged a "strong protest" with Tehran after summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi.
"We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," the Foreign Ministry said.
"In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest," it said.
India to prioritize free maritime order and safety of seafarers: Foreign minister says at UNSC
India will ensure that issues like free, open and rule-based maritime order, including the safety of seafarers, get the "attention they deserve," Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday.
He said this as he was officially launching India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, hours before the UAE confirmedIran's strike on two tankers which killed an Indian sailor.
Jaishankar said India's approach to the UN is rooted in 'SHANTI' — a backronym for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity. In Hindi, one of the several widely spoken languages in India, the word 'Shanti' translates to 'peace.'
The campaign launch is a routine but highly competitive procedure to attain one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the council along with the give permanent members. India currently does not hold a seat while its rival neighbor Pakistan does.
New Delhi has also been vying for a permanent seat at the council.
Germany fails in bid for temporary seat on UNSC
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https://p.dw.com/p/5H3DISkip next section 1 Indian sailor killed, 6 injured aboard UAE tankers attacked in Gulf07/14/2026July 14, 20261 Indian sailor killed, 6 injured aboard UAE tankers attacked in Gulf
As Iran and the US vie for the control of the Strait of Hormuz, another Indian sailor has lost his life.
At least one Indian crew member was killed and six others were injured onbard the two tankers linked to the United Arab Emirates that were attacked by Iran's Revolutionary Guard overnight.
The tankers were hit by two cruise missiles as they transited the southern shipping lane through Omani territorial waters.
Iran insists ships use its designated shipping lane through its northern territorial waters, while the US backs using the lane closest to Omani waters.
"We condole the tragic loss of an Indian seafarer in the attacks on two vessels, Al Bahiyah and Mombasa B. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the local authorities to render all possible assistance to the injured and families," the Indian Embassy in UAE wrote on social media.
Meanwhile a national union of sailors expressed frustration over the continued deaths of Indians in a foreign conflict.
"Will we keep counting the deaths of our seafarers every day, or will the government finally wake up?" the Forward Seamen's Union of India wrote.
Indian nationals make up around 12% of the global merchant shipping workforce, leaving them especially exposed to the risks of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
In June, India had lodged a strong protest with Washington after three Indian sailors were killed in US Naval attacks on commercial ships passing through the strait.
Indian seafarers pay the price in US-Iran war
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https://p.dw.com/p/5H379Skip next section Why India's education minister is unlikely to resign07/14/2026July 14, 2026Why India's education minister is unlikely to resign
For months now, India's 'Cockroach' group and opposition leaders have been calling for the education minister's resignation.
Critics of Dharmendra Pradhan have argued that while the exam scandal needs a larger system overhaul, the education minister is ultimately responsible for the leaked question papers and must take accountability.
Even as students and activist indefinitely protest at Jantar Mantar, some without having eaten in days, the minister's resignation is unlikely.
In times of previous scandals and similar demands, the Bharatiya Janata Party's ministers have told reporters that this government does not support the policy of resigning.
In 2015, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh famously said "There will be no resignation of ministers." Another minister had chimed in saying, "Our ministers don't do what UPA ministers used to do," speaking of the opposition alliance.
It seems the BJP has not softened on this stance. In the month sof protests and backlash from students and parents, the BJP has largely ignored the Cockroach party, criticized the opposition and maintained silence with students.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H2xRSkip next section Cockroach party raises alarm over activist's deteriorating health, urges dialogue07/14/2026July 14, 2026Cockroach party raises alarm over activist's deteriorating health, urges dialogue
Youth-led political pressure groupCockroach Janta Party's founder expressed grave concern on Monday night, over the deteriorating health of activist Sonam Wangchuk who is now on his 17th day of anindefinite hunger strike in New Delhi.
Wangchuk, who has lost over 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) since he started fasting, is calling for the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a leaked nation-wide enterance exam. It impacted about 2.2 million apiring medical students and led to several students committing suicide.
Wangchuk is now in a face-off of wills with a minister who sits about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away from the protest site.
According to a statement released to the media, Wangchuk's blood sugar levels have repeatedly dropped to dangerous levels, he is experiencing constant dizziness and has visibly lost muscle mass. However, he reportedly refuses to end his fast until the government engages in dialogue with the CJP.
"Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won’t even have a dialogue," Wangchuk said on Tuesday morning, as quoted by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
"What kind of government is this? Sonam Wangchuk belongs to this country. He has brought global recognition to India through his work. Today, he is fighting for the students of this country, yet the government has not even sent a single minister or delegation to speak with him. The government’s complete indifference is deeply unfortunate," Dipke said in the statement.
Meanwhile, CJP spokespersons urged "students, parents and citizens across India to join the peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on 20th July alongside Sonam Wangchuk."
India's Gen Z 'Cockroaches' protest national exams fraud
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https://p.dw.com/p/5H2taSkip next section Welcome to our covergae07/14/2026July 14, 2026Welcome to our covergae
Hello! And welcome to DW's India news blog on Tuesday.
This is Mahima Kapoor reporting from the New Delhi Bureau and I will be your guide through the news, noise and chaos of India.
The national weather agency has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of north and east India. While the country is facing a below-normal monsoon, the uneven but heavy distribution of rainfall has left several states and cities fighting proverbial fires.
In the national capital, a weeks long protest organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party against the education minister has come to a critical juncture. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been fasting for over two weeks in support of Indian students impacted by a medical entranceexam scandal, is losing his health.
And he refuses to end his fast until Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government engages in dialogue.
On the international front, another Indian sailor has lost his life aboard one of the two UAE fuel tankers which were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
Stay tuned for all of this and more.
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