Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Apr 9: The fast unto death protest undertaken by the president of Amritadhara Cow Shelter Committee, T G Rajaram Bhat, at Kairangala Punyakoti Nagar here, seeking arrest of people involved with theft and forcibly taking away of cows from the facility, entered eighth day on Sunday April 8.
Under the instructions of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Bhat was shifted to a hospital late night on Saturday. He however has been continuing with his hunger strike.
Doctors of the private hospital visited the spot and undertook medical examination. They said that Bhat was suffering from weakness. However, the police had summoned ambulance with the aim of admitting Bhat into hospital, and also arranged a police contingent to handle any emergency. Rajaram Bhat refused to get into the ambulance and got seated in his car. A team of police led by deputy commissioner of police, Hanumantharaya, admitted him into a private hospital at Deralakatte on Saturday night.
Advocate, Shambhu Sharma, provided legal guidance. Bhat, speaking at the hospital, said that his health was satisfactory and that he was forcibly admitted into the hospital by the police although he was feeling well. He reiterated his determination not to consume food till the cattle thieves are apprehended. MP, Nalin Kumar Katee, visited the hospital and talked to Bhat.
On Monday, ten people from Hindu Jagran Vedike's Hoo Hakuva Kallu unit have decided to undertake fast. BJP leader, Santhosh Kumar Boliyar, said that thousands of people had supported Bhat in his protest and condemned the police action in admitting him into hospital. He demanded that Bhat be allowed to continue with his hunger strike.
Deputy commissioner of the district, Sasikanth Senthil, said that all efforts are being made to meet Bhat's demands and that during election time, some decisions need to be taken in the interests of law and order. He also opined that use of the site of hunger strike for other purposes is not right as this is election time. Taking all these things into consideration, a decision was taken, he clarified.