Five JNU Students End Hunger Strike, Kanhaiya’s Condition Stable

JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar refuses to end the hunger strike despite his failing health.

JNU students union President Kanhaiya Kumar admitted in AIIMS, Delhi. (Photo Courtesy: JNUSU President Media Group)

JNU students union President Kanhaiya Kumar, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, was on Thursday taken to AIIMS after his health condition deteriorated even as five students withdrew from the ongoing fast against punishments by university in connection with the February 9 event. 

Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested in a sedition case over the event and is out on bail now, was taken to the JNU health centre in a semi-conscious state. However, his health deteriorated later and he was referred to emergency ward of AIIMS. 

Kanhaiya’s BP dropped to 56 and his glucose levels also dipped drastically. He has been vomitting since last night. He was taken to the JNU health centre in a semi conscious state and the doctor warned him of chances of internal bleeding if he continues with the fast. Since he has refused to call off the fast he was being administered saline drip. Kanhaiya has been referred to AIIMS. We are very concerned about his health. 

<b>JNU Students Union’s statement </b>

Kanhaiya Kumar admitted in the emergency ward. (Photo Courtesy: JNUSU President Media Group)

On day 8 of the strike in protest against the punishment in connection with the event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, five students withdrew from the protest citing deteriorating health conditions.  

The ketone levels and BP of other protesting students were also reported to be low, according to the test reports from the health centre.

Kanhaiya Kumar has been brought to the AIIMS emergency department and is being treated for mild dehydration and ketosis following fasting. His condition is stable.

Dr Amit Gupta, AIIMS spokesperson

Kanhaiya Kumar is being treated by the doctors of AIIMS in the emergency ward (Photo Courtesy: JNUSU President Media Group)

A total of 25 students were on hunger strike since last Thursday. While 5 members of ABVP called off their fast yesterday claiming they have an assurance from JNU administration about consideration of their demands, five members of the Left-affiliated groups withdrew from the hunger strike due to health condition.

Kanhaiya Kumar is in a critical condition with low BP and serious body pain. (Photo Courtesy: JNUSU President Media Group)

Bail Denied to Accused Who Allegedly Attempted to Kill Kanhaiya

Additionally, a leader of UP Navnirman Sena, who is absconding in a case relating to conspiracy to kill JNUSU President Kanhaiya, was denied anticipatory bail by the Delhi High Court on 5 May.

Justice Pratibha Rani declined to grant relief to accused Amit Jani, following his alleged role in the incident. It involves retrieval of a loaded pistol and a letter threatening to kill Kanhaiya and Umar Khalid from a bag in a DTC bus. The retrieved items are currently undergoing police investigation.

“No anticipatory bail at this stage. Arms were recovered from the bag and it needs to be investigated by the police,” the court said.

The court was hearing the anticipatory bail filed by Jani, who claimed that he was falsely implicated by the police as he had not written any letter threatening to behead the two.

Jani, through his counsel Rajesh Sachdeva, submitted that he has no connection with the gun allegedly found in the bus. Delhi police counsel Amit Ahlawat opposed the plea saying the bag, in which the gun was kept, has four live cartridge and it was required to be probed.