Today marks the 17th Day of the indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Six AISA activists joined the hunger strike along with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on 28th June, since then 3 students have had to be hospitalized due to critical health conditions, while the health conditions of rest of the hunger strikers alongside Sonam Wangchuk worsens every day.
All of this while seeing no semblance of a positive response or accountability from the government. Neha, All India President of AISA and a scholar pursuing PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from JNU, has been on the forefront of the protest since the very first day and is one of the hunger strikers. As of today, her blood sugar level has fallen to a 70 mg/dl (normal being 100) and has also suffered a weight loss of 5.85 KG.
Manish, AISA UP State President and a scholar pursuing PhD in Political Science from Allahabad University is also sitting on the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, coming all the way from Uttar Pradesh. Manish’s blood sugar levels also continue to drop with the most recent being 68 mg/dl. He has also suffered a drop of 8.20KG in his body weight.
Aameen, Former Elected Councillor in the AUDSC and a scholar pursuing his PhD in Urban Studies from Dr BR Ambedkar University Delhi has also been on the hunger strike. Hailing from Punjab, Aameen has also been a part of the Farmers’ Protest of 2020-21. Aameen suffers a serious drop of Blood Sugar levels at 54 mg/dl and a 8.30 KG of weightloss.
While these students have been able to pull through surviving on nothing but water and salt since 17 days. Three students had to be hospitalized due to severe health conditions. Comrade Danish, JNUSU Joint Secretary, Comrade Hrishikesh, Barak Hostel President from JNU and, recently, Comrade Deepak from DU, all had to be admitted to hospital.
Despite this severe crisis of both health and education, there is a shameful silence and unaccountably on the side of the government. As the protest progresses towards the peaceful parliament march on 20th, the silence of the government and the impunity granted to Dharmendra Pradhan is only exposed further. Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign, Roll Back NEP-2020, Scrap NTA, AISA
