New Delhi, Jan 5: The frigid cold in Delhi has started to take its toll on the two men who have been on a hunger strike demanding death sentence for the culprits in the gang-rape case. The determined duo vowed to continue their agitation till their last breath.
Rajesh Gangwar and Babu Singh have been on hunger strike near the historic Jantar Mantar observatory in the heart of the capital. While Gangwar's fast entered its 13th day Saturday, Singh is on day eight of his fast.
Both men continue to brave the Delhi winter as the city's minimum temperature breaks all previous records.
The makeshift tent with thin cloth walls where they doze off at night and the layers of blankets are of little help.
"I have terrible cold and my throat hurts," murmured a frail Gangwar as he took a sip of warm water while one of his helpers rubbed cold balm on his nose and neck.
Similar is the case with Singh, who said that he felt "very weak" and the cold made him feel "feverish".
"I can't take any medicines on empty stomach even the balms are of no use in this weather," he told IANS.
They accused the government of being apathetic and said that doctors from the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital came to examine them initially but have stopped visting them now.
"They are just not bothered anymore," a hopeless Gangwar said.
However, Gangwar's younger brother Rakesh who is with him at Jantar Mantar said that they had got both men checked by a doctor and "their vital parameters were fine".
The determined men too said that nothing could dampen their spirit.
"If my death shakes the system and gets them (accused in the gang-rape case) hanged, I am ready to die," Gangwar said.
Gangwar, reached Delhi Dec 24, Babu Singh from Farrukhabad, also in Uttar Pradesh, joined him in the fast Dec 29.
