By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, August 4 – After eight days into an indefinite fast without food and water, the general impression would be that of mentally worn out activists. Visiting doctor Sunil Mittal from Ram Manohar Lal Hospital escorted by men in uniform faced a determined lot who refused medical attention. A contingent of police officials and an ambulance was on stand by near the makeshift tent which has been home to the six men for the past week. He recommended the activists be taken to a hospital since it was not possible to monitor their condition at Jantar Mantar due to lack of adequate medical facility.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Mittal said, “They seem stable at present but I cannot speak for what could happen in the evening or perhaps even tomorrow.”
The legality of the word ‘stable’ comes into question when it is quite apparent that the six men are fading fast and without medical aid in the coming days there is no telling what might become of them.
Two hunger strikers namely Wangdue Phuntsok, 31 and Tenpa Dharge, 25 have developed a bout of abdominal pain and are diagnosed with severe dehydration.
Sonam Dakpa (Sodak) who appears to be the stronger among the six said to the media in a weak voice, “We are human beings; I wish to ask the IOC if we are not entitled to basic human rights like everyone else. I wish to ask them if the Olympics should be played in a country that endorses fundamental rights or in a country that suppresses it.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police from the Connaught Place Police Station and the Parliament Beat House were at the venue to observe the hunger strikers.
“There is an acute lack of liquid in their system. The doctor said they were weak and though it has been recommended that they be put under observation at a medical facility there is no such compulsion upon us as yet. There is no talk of the Indian police intervening at this point either,” said TYC President Tsewang Rinzin.
On asked who would be held responsible for deaths if any among the six men his reply was “The Communist Party of China of course” He added their demands were for their legitimate rights and they were not encroaching upon something that didn’t belong to the Tibetan people. If their demands be met, they would halt the campaign.
A collage of the six men’s development since Day 1 was put on display. The grim images presented a mortally menacing representation of how fragile human life is and told a harrowing tale of how some will give it up to uphold their legacy and birthright.
