Kanhaiya ends hunger strike

JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday ended his nine-day hunger strike after he was discharged from AIIMS even as the university administration asked students not to invite outsiders saying it might vitiate the academic atmosphere and peace on campus.

While five students on Friday withdrew their fast against the punishment by the university in connection with the February 9 event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, 15 others continued with the hunger strike.

Kanhaiya, who is out on bail after his arrest in a sedition case, was yesterday admitted to AIIMS in a semi- conscious state. He was discharged after treatment for mild dehydration and ketosis.

"Kanhaiya has been discharged from AIIMS. He has been advised bed rest for few days. He has to undergo some medical tests too, so keeping his health condition in mind he has withdrawn from the fast but will continue with the agitation," a JNUSU statement said.

The ketone level of the fasting students is high and the BP is low, according to the test reports from the health centre. On the other hand, JNU issued fresh advisory for the students and teachers to avoid inviting outsiders to the



campus.

The administration also asked the students to refrain from using "direct or indirect coercive measures and come forward for dialogue and discussion".

"The administration requests all the teachers and students to avoid inviting people from outside the campus for any gathering or activity to press their demands, which could undermine peace and security in the campus," JNU Registrar Pramod Kumar said in an appeal.

"Thousands of students on campus are busy preparing for or writing their end semester examinations and also writing their dissertations. Continuing hunger strikes and escalation of it through involvement of outsiders may further enhance the stress level in the campus and affect the career of those students," he added.

While members from civil society joined the protests today, alumni of the university will gather on Sunday to express solidarity by fasting for a day.

In a separate notice, the Registrar asked the students not to use the public address system without permission and around the administration block, which has been the venue of protest ever since the sedition row broke out.

Twenty-five students had gone on hunger strike last week.