Sonam Wangchuk said youth-led protests over leaked exam papers have weakened Prime Minister Narendra Modi "terribly," arguing the movement gave young Indians new confidence that they can force change.
A 26-day hunger strike in Delhi helped galvanize the demonstrations, which swelled after Wangchuk was taken to hospital and culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on 25 July.
Modi's government has since announced fast-track courts for leak cases, named a tech billionaire to overhaul exams and offered compensation to families of students who died by suicide after the scandal.
Wangchuk says the crisis runs deeper than the leaks, with graduate unemployment stuck around 35%-40% for 25 years and an exam system he argues is poorly aligned with jobs and practical skills.
The activist warned protests could widen beyond education if the government fails to respond, while some demonstrators still face court cases, police harassment and online abuse despite Supreme Court protections.