Sadhvi Pragya begins hunger strike in hospital

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, against whom the NIA recently dropped charges in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, on Monday launched a hunger strike in a hospital here for not being allowed to visit the Kumbh fair in Ujjain despite a court order in her favour.

Sadhvi, who wanted to take a dip in Shipra river and had secured an order from a court in Dewas district, started the protest at 9 a.m. in Pandit Khushilal Sharma Ayurvedic Hospital where she is undergoing treatment by refusing to take food and water.

Sadhvi’s close associate Bhagwan Jha said the court had allowed her to visit the religious fair and take the dip on May 4. He claimed despite the court order, the police were not letting Sadhvi visit Ujjain under the pretext of not having adequate personnel.

Mr. Jha further claimed Sadhvi had threatened to take her life if she was not allowed to visit the Kumbh mela by May 21, the last day of the month-long event.

Police and prison department officials refused to comment on the issue. The hospital officials also could not be contacted.