Save Ganga crusader’s death: Saints say GD Agarwal was murdered, demand CBI probe

GD Agarwal Death: Agarwal, who began his hunger strike on June 22 demanding government measures to save the Ganga, died of a heart attack at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh. Saints now accuse that he was murdered.

GD Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand in his later years, was retired professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Kanpur. He was opposing the construction along the river Ganga, which he said would totally destroy the natural flow and quality of the river water.

GD Agarwal Death: Veteran Environmental activist GD Agarwal, who was on a fast for a pollution-free Ganga for the past 111 days, died at a Rishikesh hospital on Thursday. Saint close to the activist have demanded a CBI probe into his death. While exclusively talking to ABP news, Swami Shivananda, the founder of the sadan where the activist was sitting on hunger strike, alleged that Agarwal was murdered. He demanded a CBI investigation and said that action should be taken against DM, SDM, CO City, Ames Director. He also dragged the name of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Shivananda said that Agarwal was forcefully taken after section 144 was imposed. He also said “Now they are saying that he died from heart attack, why did he not get heart attack here. GD Agarwal was alright here, he had even protested from going. We are demanding an investigation because it is a case of murder.” Trustee Dayanand also alleged foul play behind Agrawal’s death. Agarwal, who began his hunger strike on June 22 demanding government measures to save the Ganga, died of a heart attack at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh. Swami Anand's guru Swami Avimukteshwaranand told ABP News that the funeral will be held in Varanasi and his body will be donated to Rishikesh AIIMS. Agarwal had pledged his organs for medical research at the AIIMS in Rishikesh. It is reported that local authorities imposed section 144 of the CrPC, which bans the assembly of people, around the venue of the protest and he was picked up and taken to the hospital. AIIMS Doctor Ravi Kant said Agarwal suffered from hernia, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease and the fast worsened his condition. GD Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand in his later years, was retired professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Kanpur. He was opposing the construction along the river Ganga, which he said would totally destroy the natural flow and quality of the river water. Agarwal was demanding that the government take steps to save the Ganga river and its ecology, and ensure that the flow of the river water is uninterrupted. His other demands included enactment of the Ganga Protection and Management Bill and halting of work on hydropower projects along the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. A day before Agarwal died, Union Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari said almost all his demands had been met and he had written a letter to the activist to give up his fast. On Tuesday, the Centre came out with a gazette notification stating the minimum environmental flow that is to be maintained at various locations on the Ganga.  Gadkari said draft legislation on protecting the Ganga had also been sent to the Cabinet for approval. Reacting to the Ganga crusader's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his passion for saving the environment will always be remembered. "Saddened by the demise of Shri GD Agarwal Ji. His passion towards learning, education, saving the environment, particularly Ganga cleaning will always be remembered. My condolences," he tweeted. (Additional input from agencies)