Dr Govinda KC began his 16th Satyagraha (hunger strike) in Ilam from January 9, 2019, in a public place. On the 6th day, he was moved to the Ilam District Hospital after Dr Surendra Bhandari and Dr Abhishek Raj Singh advised him to be admitted to the hospital where he continued his strike till the 10th day.

Due to his deteriorating health condition, doctors at Ilam Hospital and a medical team from the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences recommended that Dr KC be immediately brought to Kathmandu. Dr. KC, however, remained adamant to continue his hunger strike in Ilam. Considering the exigency, a team comprising of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Daman Nath Dhungana, former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Dr Abhishek Raj Singh and Dr Surendra Bhandari visited Dr. KC and requested him to move to Kathmandu. When Dr KC showed his willingness, it was already 9 pm. Therefore, chances of moving him to Kathmandu were slim.

When the team reached Ilam at around 7:30 pm, the environment was tense and panicking. Dr KC’s health was critical. Therefore, a whole night wait could turn costly. Therefore, we contacted the concerned authorities in Kathmandu for the arrangement of a night vision helicopter. Former ministers Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Gagan Thapa supported the team to arrange the helicopter, which, however, could land only at Bhadrapur Airport. Another challenge before us was to bring Dr KC safely to Bhadrapur in an ambulance. The medical team from Dharan made the arrangements. Finally, Dr KC was brought to Bhadrapur amidst huge warmth and love of the Ilam folks.

The CDO of Jhapa handled the situation proficiently and made arrangement to lift Dr KC to Kathmandu safely. Dr KC was rushed to the Teaching Hospital from the Tribhuwan International Airport at around 3 am and was admitted to the ICU.

Reasons for the 16th Satyagraha

Dr KC has fought for years demanding reforms in the medical sector. Among several problems persistent in the medical sector, Dr KC basically raised the following issues:

First: Dr KC’s demand was to comply with the Mathema Committee Report that baring the previous affiliation, no university should be permitted to grant affiliation to more than five medical colleges. Agreeing to this demand during Dr KC’s 14th Satyagraha, the Sher Bahadur Deuba government had passed an ordinance, which was given continuity by the K P Oli-led government formed after the general election. However, the Oli government was reluctant to enact a law, i.e. the National Medical Education Act. The Oli-led government reached an agreement with Dr KC to enact a law in line with the ordinance during the latter’s 15th Satyagraha. However, the Oli-led government tabled the Bill in the Parliament by ignoring some of the key points of the ordinance prompting Dr KC to initiate the 16th Satyagraha.

Second: Dr KC’s second demand was to establish at least one medical college in each province to ensure health facilities to the people of the rural areas as well as to provide an opportunity for genius students to study medical science. The government, however, did not pay much attention to it. Instead, the government took an obsessive position in giving affiliation to private medical colleges. The government’s insistence in making medical education as a rent-seeking sector dismissed Dr KC’s demand for the access of the poor, needy and genius people in medical education. This stark difference between Dr KC and the government showed that the Oli government made a clear departure from the national interest by renouncing the pro-poor policy.

Third: Dr KC’s other demand was to improvise the medical services at the remote areas by deputing MBBS doctors. However, the government continued to depute junior level health professionals in those areas. Dr KC’s demand was also to provide MBBS education opportunities to junior health professionals. However, the government failed to act towards this end despite the fact that political leaders visit expensive medical facilities abroad even for minor diseases at taxpayers’ money.

Fourth: Dr KC wanted that the spirit of the Mathema Committee Report — the foundation and source of the National Medical Education Bill — be reflected in the preamble of the Bill itself. But the government failed to comply with this demand.

How was the bill passed?

The 16th Satyagraha of Dr. KC is a testimony to how adamant and blind-sided the Oli-led government is to the democratic process. The government tabled the National Medical Education Bill as a government bill to the Lower House (House of Representatives).

Even before the Bill could be discussed and voted in the parliament, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara and other Members of the Parliament, against the fundamental parliamentary values and processes, had announced that the parliament would endorse the Bill. As per the standard practice, until a bill is discussed and voted, it cannot be said whether the Bill would be endorsed or not. The Speaker and the government-affiliated MPs blatantly undermined the autonomy of the parliament. Moreover, even though the parliamentary rules forbid discussing and approving any public bills on Friday, the Bill was tabled for discussion, and without any discussion, the Speaker declared the approval of the Bill on Friday, January 26, 2019. The bill was also passed by the Upper House amidst huge protest and opposition.

Dr KC has requested the President not to give assent to the bill that has defied the fundamental parliamentary processes.

Mode of Satyagraha

Fasting is one of the peaceful and silent means of Satyagraha. The voice of truth and the appeal of conscience embodied in the form of Satyagraha encompass many other peaceful means of protest and not only fasting or hunger strike. The 16th Satyagraha has clearly revealed that the unaccountable and power mongering government is not inclined to listen to the voice of truth and uphold the appeal of conscience. Obviously, no callous government can uphold the voice of truth and the appeal of conscience. Consequently, the leaders of civil society felt their responsibility to save the life of Dr KC, whose life is a testimony of a selfless yogi living for truth and serving the poor.

While ending the fast, Dr KC chose a cleaning staff of the Teaching Hospital to feed him juice. It proves Dr. KC’s deep humility, sensitivity to humanity, faith in championing the pro-poor cause, and an example of a selfless citizen. A Satyagrahi is always above any victory or defeat. The whole mission of a Satyagrahi is to articulate the truth firmly and without any fear. Dr KC has made it. Long live the Satyagraha!