Delhi Water Minister Atishi has been hospitalized following a severe deterioration in her health due to an indefinite hunger strike she initiated to protest against the water crisis in the national capital. According to her party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the 43-year-old minister was admitted to the emergency ICU at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital after her blood sugar levels plummeted dangerously low.
In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the AAP disclosed that Atishi’s blood sugar level had dropped to 43 at midnight and further down to 36 by 3 AM. “Her blood sugar level dropped to 43 at midnight and to 36 at 3 AM, after which LNJP Hospital doctors advised immediate hospitalization. She has not eaten anything for the last five days,” the party stated, alongside pictures of Atishi being transported to the hospital. The party added, “She’s been admitted to the emergency ICU at LNJP. We pray for her speedy recovery.”
Atishi commenced her hunger strike on June 21 amid a severe heatwave in Delhi, demanding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana release additional water to the national capital. She has accused Haryana of withholding 100 million gallons per day (MGD), thereby depriving nearly 2.8 million people in Delhi of essential water supplies. “There are 2.8 million people in the city who are aching for just a drop of water,” she declared on Monday, the fourth day of her fast.
In a video message posted on her official X account, Atishi highlighted the toll the hunger strike had taken on her health. “My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run,” she said.
The AAP reported on Monday that Atishi had lost approximately 2 kg since beginning her hunger strike. “Water Minister Atishi’s weight is decreasing unexpectedly. Before sitting on hunger strike on June 21, her weight was 65.8 kg which has come down to 63.6 kg on the fourth day of the hunger strike. That is, her weight has decreased by 2.2 kg in just four days,” the party noted in a statement. Additionally, her blood sugar level had decreased by 28 units from the first day of the strike.
On Sunday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena convened a meeting with a delegation of AAP leaders, during which he assured that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini would investigate whether his state could supply extra water to Delhi.
As Atishi remains under medical care, her party and supporters continue to advocate for a resolution to the water crisis that has impacted millions in Delhi. The situation remains critical, with hopes for a prompt and effective response from the concerned authorities.
