Ayodhya seer ends fast on Ram temple issue

LUCKNOW Ayodhya seer Mahant Paramhans Das broke his indefinite fast on the Ram temple issue at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow on Tuesday, institute officials said.He agreed to take food and medicine after SGPGIMS doctors counseled him to do so. Das was on fast-unto-death since October 1 demanding construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. He was hospitalised after his condition turned critical on Sunday night. The Faizabad district administration officials sent Das to the SGPGIMS in the early hours of Monday.

Chief medical superintendent professor Amit Agarwal said, “After the advice of SGPGIMS doctors, Mahant Das agreed to start oral intake and treatment by experts. As he was on fast-unto-death in Ayodhya, he refused to take treatment and food after he was admitted to PGI on Sunday night. But after 24 hours of persuasion, he has agreed to take medicine and food. He took fruit juice from SGPGI director professor Rakesh Kapoor to break his indefinite fast on Tuesday.”

Kapoor said, “Once he has started oral intake, we hope his situation will improve. However, he will remain in the ICU because all his reports are still not normal.”

He said a team of doctors, comprising professor Susheel Ambesh, professor Susheel Gupta and professor Amit Agarwal, was keeping a close watch on Das’s condition.

A disciple of Mahant Sarveshwar Das of Tapasvi Ji Ki Chhawni, Paramhans Das sat on fast on the premises of his temple on October 1 demanding construction of Ram temple.

As reports of his deteriorating condition and substantial

weight loss reached Lucknow, UP industrial development minister Satish Mahana rushed to Ayodhya as the chief minister’s emissary on Sunday night to persuade the mahant to call off the fast. However, the mahant turned down his request.

Mahana talked to the saint for about 25 minutes and tried to convince him that the issue was pending in Supreme Court and the government could not take up construction.