Ganges hunger striker dies after 111 days

A veteran Indian environmental activist died yesterday after a 15-week hunger strike in protest at the polluted state of the Ganges river, saying his death was part of his “final learning”.

Prof GD Agarwal, 86, who adopted the spiritual name Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand in later life, had been fasting for 111 days demanding that the government tackle pollution and limit hydropower plans for the holy river.

He had been consuming only water and honey since June before he stopped drinking days before his death.