Day 7 of fast-unto-death observed by the supporters of yoga guru Baba Ramdev at Freedom Park in the city turned out to be grim with the agitators getting weaker by the hour.
While 71 people continued their fast, one person is believed to have been forced to break his fast due to medical conditions. However, the rest said they would not break the fast until their demands were met.
The protesters were furious as governor HR Bhardwaj did not come to see their plight.
Describing their protest as Kendrada Virudda Horata (protest against the Centre), the protesters were disappointed that the governor who they termed was the representative of the Union government had not turned up at the venue.
“People have been fasting for days, and their condition is deteriorating. What is our governor doing, when so many are on the verge of dying?” asked Naresh P, an agriculturist participating in the movement.
“All these people are here by choice, and they are here to fight corruption. The governor might say that that he has no powers, but at least duty demands that he comes and meets the people. At this rate, we are left only with one choice — to die,” said Lal Singh, an architect.
“The governor should at least find out what is happening and what the demands of the people are. But there are no signs of him showing any interest,” said another protester.
“My father has become weak and the doctors have been advising him to break his fast. But he says that he is ready to die but not eat,” said Pankaja, whose 69-year-old father M Chandrappa, a former school teacher and an ardent follower of Baba Ramdev.
On hearing the news of Ramdev being admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Dehra Dun, those fasting at Freedom Park said that they would fast until death. “We are fighting for a noble cause. If the government cannot look into these issues, what is the point?” asked JP Saini, who has been on the fast for over a week.
