Khotang Mayor hospitalized on first day of hunger strike
Despite being hospitalized, Mayor Bhattarai has remained firm in his decision not to end the strike until his demands are addressed.
KATHMANDU: Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, the Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality in Khotang, was rushed to Bir Hospital on Wednesday night after his health deteriorated during the first day of his indefinite hunger strike at Maitighar, Kathmandu.
According to Ward Chair and dialogue committee member Dan Bahadur Rai, Bhattarai was taken to the emergency ward around 10 PM after his blood pressure dropped significantly and his physical condition weakened. “Police had been trying to convince him to go to the hospital since 5 PM, but he refused. Later, when his condition became critical, they had to forcibly intervene and take him for treatment,” Rai said.
Despite being hospitalized, Mayor Bhattarai has remained firm in his decision not to end the strike until his demands are addressed.
Before being taken to the hospital, he had even signed a declaration stating that he would continue his protest at Maitighar, regardless of his worsening health.
Why the Hunger Strike?
Mayor Bhattarai began a three-day sit-in at Maitighar on Sunday to press the government on seven key demands.
As the government showed no significant response during that time, he escalated his protest into an indefinite hunger strike starting Wednesday.
His demands include the protection of the Himalayas and natural resources, a national policy on the use of bamboo products, monkey control, and the promotion of locally produced goods.
Although an initial round of talks with the government reportedly had a positive tone, no concrete agreement was reached—prompting Bhattarai to continue his hunger strike.
