2 BHU students on hunger strike take ill, hospitalised

VARANASI : Two of the five students, on an indefinite hunger strike in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) since September 24, took ill on Monday. They have been admitted to Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, BHU.

Ranjan Chandel and one other student took ill, said Vishwanath, a sociology third year student, who is also on hunger strike.

“Our condition too is not good. But we will remain on hunger strike until the BHU administration assures us in writing to fulfil our demands,” he said.

Students said that they want restoration of students union in BHU and they submitted a memorandum in this regard to the university administration in the first week of September.“The BHU administration has given us mere assurances,” he said, adding that they were serious about their demand that is why they started the indefinite hunger strike.

Akansha, an MA I student, said that the students union should be restored and all students should be given a hostel facility. A sanitary pad-vending machine should be set up on the campus and there should be round-the-clock library facility. Hostel curfew timing should be ended and security must be beefed up.

The students unanimously said that they would remain on an indefinite hunger strike until their demand is fulfilled. The students also burnt the effigy of the vice chancellor.

On Monday, two foreigners also gave symbolic support to their strike.

They sat with the students at the venue for couple of minutes and held up placards.

The students on the hunger strike said that the duo were tourists and had joined them during their visit to the city. BHU registrar Dr Neeraj Tripathi appealed to the students to end their hunger strike.