Former Rajasthan MLA Gurcharan Chhabra dies fasting for liquor ban

Jaipur: Former Janata Dal MLA and noted social activist Gurcharan Chhabra, who was on hunger strike for a month, demanding liquor ban and strengthening of Lokayukta in Rajasthan, died on Tuesday.

The 65-year-old died at around 4:30 am in Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur.

He was in a coma for the past couple of days and put on ventilator support.

Earlier on July 23, Chhabra had written a letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje requesting her to fulfil her promises. However, when he didn't got a positive response from the administration, he sat on protest on October 02.

The septuagenarian had begun his fast unto death for the fourth time on October 2 and was admitted to the hospital on October 6. He was discharged in a few days but was re-admitted to SMS hospital here on October 17.

Reacting to Chhabra's death, former chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the anti-liquor crusader died due to the "insensitive" attitude of the Rajasthan government.

"Had Rajasthan Chief Minister (Vasundhara Raje) tried to meet him and persuaded him to end fast, Chhabra might have been saved," Gehlot said.