Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav on Friday met with Dr Govinda KC, who is on his 19th day of his 19th fast-unto-death, at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

The 63-year-old orthopaedic surgeon has been staging a hunger strike with a list of demands, including reforms in the medical education sector.

According to an aide to KC, former President Yadav said that the government must take initiatives to save the fasting doctor by addressing his demands.

Yadav also remembered Mahatma Gandhi, whose 151st birth anniversary is being observed on Friday, for his unwavering commitment to peaceful modes of struggle and said that it is because of the people like Gandhi and KC that the principle of nonviolence is still relevant in today’s world.

“Dr Yadav said he came to express solidarity with Dr KC’s struggle as he is also following Gandhi’s path of non-violence, and today, Gandhi Jayanti is observed as non-violence day,” Sanjib Karki, one of KC’s aides, told the Post. “The former president also praised all those who are providing care to Dr KC and urged all of them to take care of their health too.”

Doctors attending to KC have said his health is deteriorating fast.

The government, however, has yet to respond to KC, except Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, also the government spokesperson, on Thursday saying that the government urges KC to break his fast, as his most of the demands have been met.

According to Karki, Dr Yadav said that KC is a national asset and that the government must take initiatives to hold talks with him to save his life.