Delhi Water Crisis: Atishi hospitalised as blood sugar drops due to hunger strike

Delhi Water Minister Atishi was hospitalised early Tuesday after her health deteriorated due to her indefinite fast to demand water for the national capital amid its ongoing crisis, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said here.

It said in a post on ‘X’ that the minister was admitted to the emergency ICU at the Lok Nayak Hospital.

“Water Minister Atishi’s health deteriorates. Her blood sugar level dropped to 43 at midnight and to 36 at 3 AM, after which LNJP Hospital doctors advised immediate hospitalisation,” the party said.

“She has not eaten anything for the last five days and is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding Haryana government to release Delhi’s share of water. She’s been admitted in the emergency ICU at LNJP. We pray for her speedy recovery,” it said.

Giving an update on Atishi’s health, the hospital’s Medical Director Dr Suresh Kumar said her condition is stable but she is in ICU.

“She was advised hospitalisation last evening after her sugar levels declined and there the presence of ketones was detected in her urine. She had declined hospitalisation. However, at midnight, as her condition deteriorated and she was drowsy, she was admitted. She is currently stable and in the ICU. Her blood tests are being done,” the senior doctor said.

On Monday, Atishi’s ‘Jal Satyagraha’ hunger strike reached its fourth day, with a growing number of Delhi residents, AAP MLAs, and councilors rallying at the protest site.

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Addressing supporters, she vowed to continue the protest until the BJP-led Haryana government restores water supply to 28 lakh Delhiites.

Notably, Water Minister Atishi was on an indefinite ‘Jal Satyagraha’ in Jangpura’s ‘Bhogal’ from June 21 to ensure that the people of Delhi get their water right.

Water Minister Atishi said, “She is on fast because there is a huge shortage of water in Delhi.”

“For the last three weeks, Haryana has reduced the supply of 100 MGD (46 crore litres) of water to Delhi. These 46 crore litres of water is used by 28 lakh people in a day. Due to not getting enough water from Haryana, 28 lakh Delhiites are yearning for every drop of water. My indefinite hunger strike will continue until the Haryana government does not release the water that is the right of these 28 lakh Delhiites,” she added.