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Journalism of Courage
A day after 30-year-old Gambhir Singh Kathait reportedly made a self-immolation bid in Tehri in north Uttaranchal, people accompanying him to Delhi are calling the incident an ‘‘accident’’. Having suffered 45 per cent burns, he was said to be in a critical condition in Safdarjung Hospital.
Gambhir, his uncle Vir Singh Kathait said, was part of a 500-strong gathering in New Tehri on Saturday. They were protesting a court order sentencing statehood activist Umesh Chand Gusai to a three-year term.
‘‘The mashaal (torch) with kerosene fell on him (Gambhir),” Vir Singh, 52, said. He was seconded by over 30 people outside the hospital, who have come from Tehri.
However, police are not buying the ‘‘accident’’ theory. A Delhi police official says: ‘‘It is not possible for someone to sustain near-50 per cent burns due to such an accident.’’
So far, the police has been unable to record Gambhir’s statement as he has been put on artificial respirator. Gambhir has been an active student leader, said Dinesh Dobhal from Uttaranchal. Currently unemployed, Gambhir was vice-president of a students’ union in the only college in Uttaranchal.
People with Gambhir say this incident has garnered support from all parties. ‘‘It is a people’s movement now,’’ said Man Singh Negi, standing outside the burns ward.
Though they junk the suicide theory, they say treatment was found wanting in Dehradun — a three-hour drive from Tehri — and the victim was not put on ventilator on his way to Delhi.
Gambhir reached Delhi early this morning, but has received satisfactory medical attention, said his elder brother Narendra Singh Kathait.
‘‘Doctors said the next 48 hours are going to be critical. But the Uttaranchal government has promised that the expenses will be borne by them,’’ he said. Till evening, many Uttaranchal political leaders visited the victim in Delhi.
