Kanhaiya’s Fast Maybe Over, but He Insists Agitation Is Still On

Due to his health condition, doctors advised Kanhaiya to discontinue his hunger strike.

On the 10th day of the indefinite hunger strike by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students, Kanhaiya Kumar, president of the students’ union, withdrew his fast due to medical reasons.

So far, six students have withdrawn their fast against the punishment by the university in connection with the 9 February event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. Fourteen others are continuing with the hunger strike.

Kanhaiya, who is out on bail after his arrest in a sedition case, was discharged on Friday from AIIMS after treatment for mild dehydration and ketosis.

Kanhaiya was back on campus last night. Due to his health condition, doctors advised him to discontinue with the fast. He has been advised bed rest for a few days. He needs to undergo some medical tests. While he has withdrawn the fast, he will continue with the agitation.

JNU Students’ Union

The health reports of other fasting students mentioned high ketone levels, low BP and weight loss. JNU Teachers’ Association has called for a relay hunger strike in protest against the administration from Saturday. Alumni of the varsity will also join the protesting students and form a human chain on Saturday evening.

The JNU administration had appealed the students and teachers to not invite outsiders on Friday. It said it might vitiate the academic atmosphere and peace on campus. The administration also asked the students to refrain from using “direct or indirect coercive measures and come forward for dialogue and discussion”.

Calling the hunger strike to be an “unlawful activity”, JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar had earlier this week appealed to students to put forward their demands using “constitutional” means and asked them to come for a “dialogue” to resolve the matter.

Five members of ABVP, who had also gone on hunger strike last week, called off their stir on Wednesday, claiming they have got an assurance from the JNU administration that their demands will be considered.