Education Minister tells Dr. KC to break hunger strike

KATHMANDU, Nov 11: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel has urged agitating Dr. Govinda KC to break his hunger and focus on nationality saying all of his demands have been addressed.

A senior orthopedic surgeon and medical education activist, Dr. KC has been staging his 17 hunger strike in the headquarter of Dadeldhura district for the past seven days putting forth seven-point demand–which include amendment of National Medical Education Bill, refund of illegal tution fees collected by the private medical colleges, free-of-cost medicine to cancer patients and appointment of experts instead of politically affiliated persons in key university and academic positions, and transitional justice bodies.

KC has also accused the government of breaching the past agreement reached with him during his previous hunger strikes.

“I request Dr. KC to break his fast-unto-death and focus on the issue of nationality when the entire nation is centered on the debate of encroachment of Nepali territory including Kalapani and Lipulekh,” said Minister Pokharel.

The entire nation has been swept away by anger and dissatisfaction after India placed Nepali territories Kalapani and Lipulekh inside its border in its new political map released a week ago.

Nepal has objected the new Indian map saying the territories clearly belong to Nepal. But, India says the map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India.

“Almost all of your demands have been fulfilled. Thus, cooperate the government in the implementation of the Medical Education Act,” added the minister, who also shared that the government has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the medical college owners warning them to take necessary legal action if they don’t return the additional fees collected from the students.

The supporters have expressed solidarity with Dr KC’s demands and pressed the government to fulfill his demands as his health deteriorates fast.

KC was brought to Dadeldhura hospital on Friday after his blood pressure went unstable.