Writer and activist Varavara Rao, who has been behind bars since 2018 in the Elgar Parishad case, tested positive for Coronavirus on Thursday. Doctors said revolutionary poet Varavara Rao was asymptomatic, but unable to walk due to weakness.
80 years old Varavara Rao had been shifted to J J Hospital here from Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai after complaining of dizziness but was sent back to the jail even without complete treatment. His family members had raised concerns regarding his health after receiving a call from him last week.
A series of tests were conducted on Varavara Rao on Thursday, including for Coronavirus. After he tested positive, Rao was shifted to St George Hospital, a dedicated coronavirus facility.
A couple of days ago, Varavara Rao’ wife Hemalatha and three daughters addressed the press and demanded that the officials should not kill him behind the bars. They said that Rao had been incoherent in a phone call on 11th July, and speaking of incidents that had taken place decades ago like they were occurring now. They said a co-inmate had also told them that Varavara Rao, brought to the jail over a week ago, was unable to carry out basic chores on own.
Varavara Rao had also needed hospitalisation in May when he fell unconscious in jail. However, he was discharged within three days, after which his family members had said that he was not provided proper medical treatment.