The health of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal, who had been sitting on a hunger strike since last 13 days, deteriorated on Sunday. Maliwal fell unconscious on Sunday morning, the thirteenth day of hunger strike, and was rushed to LNJP hospital.
The DCW chief who was on an indefinite strike demanding death penalty for convicts in rape cases within 6 months, has lost more than 8 kgs of her weight.
Maliwal on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that she will not break her fast until Andhra Pradesh's 'Disha' law is enacted throughout the country.
The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Friday passed the Disha Bill, 2019 which provides for awarding death sentence for the offences of rape and gang-rape and expediting trials of such cases within 21 days.
Appealing for a similar law, Maliwal said: "I fervently appeal to you to immediately enact the Disha Bill for the entire country. I have lost more than 8 kg in these 12 days and am in immense physical pain but I assure you that I will continue this indefinite fast until 'Disha' law is enacted in the country."
She also said that parliamentarians wasted crucial time during the Winter Session by not taking any constructive decisions to ensure the safety of women and girls.
"If the Andhra government can take this historic decision, why can't the Central government show the same urgency and concern," Maliwal asked Prime Minister Modi.