14 MPs Express Concern on Varavara Rao’s Health Seek Maharashtra CM’s Intervention
A joint appeal signed by 14 Members of Parliament from different political parties across the country, was sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today. Here is the full text:
An urgent appeal
19 JUNE 2020
TO
HON’BLE UDDHAV THACKERAY JI CHIEF MINISTER OF MAHARASHTRA
Respected Sir,
SUBJECT : Urgent Medical Attention to 81-year-old Poet Varavara Rao
We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, wish to register our grave concern at the deteriorating health of the 81-year-old people’s poet Varavara Rao, now lodged in Taloja Jail under the Bhima Koregaon case. We are seeing reports every day of the massive surge in COVID-19 infections within prisons (It has been reported that four deaths have already occurred in prisons across Maharashtra, all of which were later found to be COVID-19 positive.)
It has also come to our notice through the family members of Varavara Rao that the aged poet is vomiting several times daily and is not keeping well. His family mentioned that Varavara Rao’s voice was extremely feeble when he could speak to them on a call made after a month. Two weeks ago, on 30 May 2020, he was rushed to JJ Hospital in Mumbai in a semi-conscious state on a stretcher after a fainting episode. This deterioration in his health happened while he was under observation of the doctors in the Taloja prison. Varavara Rao’s health reports from JJ hospital indicate an electrolyte disturbance which could prove detrimental as he is already a cardiac patient. He has intestinal ulcers which need urgent investigation (Colonoscopy) as directed by doctors while he was in Pune jails. This procedure has not been conducted after more than 6 months of prescription. As he is under such a dire health condition, we urge you to transfer him to a hospital. The present level of care provided in the jail is not acceptable. We request you to give him the necessary and urgent medical attention by moving him to a hospital.
We also use this opportunity to request access to medical treatment for Dr GN Saibaba, the wheelchair-bound professor with 90% disabilities whose health condition is also most vulnerable.
With regards, sd/-
1. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI Lok Sabha MP (Thoothukkudi) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
2. Dr. THOL. THIRUMAA VALAVAN Lok Sabha MP (Chidambaram) Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
3. KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY Lok Sabha MP (Bonjir) Indian National Congress
4. UTTAM KUMAR NALAMADA REDDY Lok Sabha MP (Nalgonda) Indian National Congress
5. Prof. Dr. MANOJ JHA Rajya Sabha MP Rashtriya Janata Dal
6. S. VENKATESAN Lok Sabha MP (Madurai) Communist Party of India (Marxist)
7. P R NATARAJAN Lok Sabha MP (Coimbatore) Communist Party of India (Marxist)
8. K K RAGESH Rajya Sabha MP Communist Party of India (Marxist)
9. Dr. D. RAVIKUMAR Lok Sabha MP (Villupuram) Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
10. A REVANTH REDDY Lok Sabha MP (Malkajgiri) Indian National Congress
11. M SELVARAJ Lok Sabha MP (Nagapattinam) Communist Party of India
12. K SUBBARAYAN Lok Sabha MP (Tiruppur) Communist Party of India
13. Dr. SUMATHY THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN Lok Sabha MP (Chennai South) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
14. TIRUCHI SIVA Rajya Sabha MP Dravida Munnetra Kazahgam
