Jawaharlal Nehru Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar's health deteriorated on Thursday, the eight day of the indefinite hunger strike he is on along with several other JNU students. Five students withdrew from the protest, PTI reported. Kumar and other JNU students have been on a hunger strike since April 28 to protest against the verdict of a panel set up to investigate incidents that led to Kumar’s arrest in February. The student leader was asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000, while others were rusticated for one semester.

JNU student Umar Khalid on Thursday said Kumar was vomiting and in a semi-conscious state. There might be possible damage to the JNUSU president’s organs after eight days of fasting, Khalid told IANS. Kumar refused to end his hunger strike despite his worsening condition, according to reports.

Moreover, JNUSU General Secretary Rama Naga said Kumar had lost 6 kgs and had low blood pressure. He added that the health of all those on a hunger strike was worsening by the day. "It is true that after eight days of our indefinite hunger strike, our health is down falling (sic), but the spirit to fight is still high," he said.

Kumar was arrested in February after he allegedly shouted anti-national slogans at an event held to protest against the judicial hanging of Parliament attacks convict Afzal Guru. Khalid and another student, Anirban Bhattacharya, were also arrested for their reported involvement in the event, which was held on the JNU campus.