Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been on a hunger strike for eight days along with other students, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after his health deteriorated.
Hunger strike
The students have been on an indefinite hunger strike to protest the punishment awarded to them in connection with a protest demonstration on February 9. As the strike entered Day Eight on Thursday, five students withdrew owing to their deteriorating health.
According to university officials, a routine check-up earlier in the day revealed that Mr. Kumar’s blood pressure and ketone levels were very low. He was rushed to the varsity’s health centre in a semi-conscious state. Later, as his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to AIIMS.
“Mr. Kumar’s blood pressure dropped to 56 and his glucose levels also dipped drastically. He has been vomiting since last night. He was taken to the health centre in a semi-conscious state and the doctor warned him of the possibility of internal bleeding if he continued to fast,” a statement by JNUSU said.
‘Drip administered’ “Since he refused to call off the fast, he was administered a saline drip. The condition of other students is also deteriorating. Their ketone levels are low and there has been weight loss, but the spirit to fight is still on till we defeat the administration,” it added.
