Another activist fasting for Ganga hospitalised, Rahul Gandhi expresses concern

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, October 14, expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Gopal Das, who is on a fast for the conservation of river Ganga and currently in a hospital.

"The deteriorating health of Gopal Das is a concern for the whole country. He has been on hunger strike since June 24 seeking prevention of mining in Ganga. Gopal Das is now the voice of Agarwal and this voice must be strengthened," Gandhi said on twitter.

The Congress has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "neglecting" the repeated pleas of Agarwal, who had written several letters to the Prime Minister voicing his concern over Ganga pollution.

Sant Gopal Das was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, on Saturday, two days after environmentalist GD Agarwal died on October 12 following a fast that lasted 112 days.

Agarwal, popularly known as Swami Sanand, had been on a hunger strike since June 22 for a pollution-free Ganga and an uninterrupted flow of water in the river.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Sant Gopaldas stopped the taking water three days ago and the local administration took him to the emergency ward of the hospital. His blood sugar levels are low and he is also suffering from severe dehydration. The administration has told hospital authorities that they can take any steps that may be required to save Gopaldas’ life including force-feeding, if necessary. Currently, he is being given intravenous fluids.

Gopaldas has been demanding that mining activities along the Ganga river bed be stopped and concrete steps be taken to rejuvenate the river. He had been fasting at Triveni ghat in Rishikesh. After the death of GD Agarwal, Gopaldas announced that he would shift the location of his fast to Matri Sadan, where Agarwal had been fasting.

With inputs from IANS