Even as thousands of Anna supporters heaved a collective sigh of relief as Anna sipped on a glass of lime juice on Wednesday evening, the 74-year-old Gandhian’s body language reflected that he was not in the best of health.
Earlier in the day, doctors attending and monitoring Mr Hazare’s health said that if he did not break his fast it would result in serious complications, such as kidney failure. Anna has been running a high fever for the past five days and even as he undertook the fast on Tuesday, his temperature had been around 102 degrees and had only increased soon after the hungerstrike began.
His deteriorating health condition had become the cause of concern for not only Team Anna but also chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who in a telephonic conversation late on Tuesday evening had requested Anna to call off his strike. His key team members had also been heard requesting him to call off the fast to which he had responded that he was willing to die for his country. However, on Wednesday evening when he finally decided to call off his agitation, his condition was much better. Dr D.G. Pote, Anna’s personal doctor who is also from Ralegan Siddhi, said that while Anna’s condition was stable, he was weak and showed signs of dehydration. “I gave him erythromycin after he broke his fast and though it has taken a toll on his kidney, knowing Anna he will recover soon,” said Dr Pote. He further added that it would take a month for Anna to recover but he would travel to Ralegan Siddhi on Thursday.
While breaking his fast Anna offered lime juice to Arvind Kejriwal before breaking his own fast. In the brief address Anna asked supporters who were fasting to break the fast too. Despite signs of exhaustion and weakness Anna refused any help or assistance from those present on the dais when he tried to get up after breaking his fast.