Varavara Rao’s health a concern, says family

Mr. Rao’s family members held an online press conference to flag his deteriorating health condition in jail and appealed for treatment at a super speciality hospital.

July 12, 2020 01:38 pm | Updated 11:35 pm IST - HYDERABAD

HYDERABAD, Telangana, 17/11/2018: Revolutionary writer Varavara Rao at his residence in Hyderabad on Saturday.with the High Court dismissing his petition on the Pune police transit warrant, his house arrest is expired on Friday. He may be taken into custody by the Maharashtra police on Saturday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

HYDERABAD, Telangana, 17/11/2018: Revolutionary writer Varavara Rao at his residence in Hyderabad on Saturday.with the High Court dismissing his petition on the Pune police transit warrant, his house arrest is expired on Friday. He may be taken into custody by the Maharashtra police on Saturday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Family members of poet and writer Varavara Rao have raised grave concerns about his failing health and appealed to the Maharashtra State government and the central government to provide him immediate medical treatment at a super speciality hospital.

Addressing an online press meet on Sunday, Mr. Varavara Rao's nephew and writer N.Venugopal Rao said their concern now was not about his false implication in Bhima-Koregaon case or him being repeatedly denied bail , but about his tottering health.

"We make only one demand: Don't kill him in jail," Mr.Venugopal Rao appealed.

Hemalatha, Mr. Varavara Rao's 72-year old wife, said the poet's health has been a cause of worry for over one month now. His latest call from Taloja Jail in Mumbai, where he had been held as an undertrial since February, has only increased the fears of family members.

"We have lost our courage with yesterday's call. He was incoherent, and talking about the death of his long gone parents," she shared.

 

Vernon Gonsalves, another undertrial in the same case, who was put on the phone, informed the family that Mr. Rao was not in a position to even walk by himself. He needed assistance in carrying out daily chores such as brushing and going to toilet. Most of the time, he hallucinated.

Recalling that his health status had deteriorated since May 26, and had been admitted to J. J. Hospital, Mumbai two days later, Ms. Hemalatha said his condition improved later as was evident from a letter received on June 6. He sounded weak, but alright the next day too on phone.

However, on June 24, the slip in health status was evident when he began to speak in Hindi with his wife. On July 2, he could not even identify his family members, Ms.Hemalatha said.

Mr. Varavara Rao's daughter Pavana said her father suffered from electrolyte imbalance as per medical reports, which can be cured easily with early treatment. If delayed, it will result in brain damage.

"He's eligible for bail, but we are asking only for hospitalisation," she said.

Responding to a query, Ms. Hemalatha said Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy has been briefed about the health status of the poet twice, the latest on Saturday, and help was requested. Letters to Chief Minister K.Chandrashekhar Rao have not yielded any response.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.