Save Ganga activist Swami Sanand admitted to hospital again

Noted environmentalist Swami Gyan Swarup Sanand, who has been fasting to press for his demand of conservation of Ganga river, has once again been forcefully admitted to hospital in Varanasi, sources said on Saturday.

Noted environmentalist Swami Gyan Swarup Sanand, who has been fasting to press for his demand of conservation of Ganga river, has once again been forcefully admitted to hospital in Varanasi, sources said on Saturday.

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Sanand was forcefully admitted to hospital late Friday night by police officers after his medical report showed his deteriorating health, they said.

The environmentalist, formerly known as Dr GD Agrawal, had started his third fast without water on May 2, demanding the shutting down of hydel projects on Ganga river.

Government officials tried to persuade Agrawal to give up his fast for two days, but to no avail.

His medical examination was conducted on Friday, and the report was sent to the Centre, they said.

Noting his deteriorating health, the government ordered that he be immediately transferred to a medical facility, sources in district administration said.

After Agrawal refused to get admitted, police officials forcefully took him to hospital where he was admitted to intensive care unit, they said.

However, later, he alleged the Centre was not taking any measures and again went on fast on April 10.

Owing to his health, he could not attend the meeting of National Ganga River Basin Authority chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 17. Now, he has returned here and again started fast for the cause.

Swami Bhikshu, who has also been fasting for the purification of Ganga, is being force fed in hospital since last month.

Sadhvi Poornamba and Krishnapriyanand have also been fasting for the cause.