Dr Govinda KC on Thursday said he would continue his fast-unto-death until his demands are addressed.

Many had expected the fasting doctor would call off his strike after the Supreme Court ordered his release on a general date in a contempt of court case on Wednesday, while calling for an investigation into the authenticity of citizenship document and education certificates of Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli. Dr KC has been ordered to appear before the court for the next hearing scheduled for February 20.

Issuing a press statement on Thursday, Dr KC appreciated the apex court decision to investigate the questions he has raised against CJ Parajuli. But the orthopaedic surgeon, whose 14th fast-unto-death entered fourth day on Thursday, vowed to fight on.

“I will continue my struggle until the remaining demands in the purification campaign of medical education and judiciary are met,” he said. 

“At a time when investigation has begun against him [CJ Parajauli], he cannot be deemed fit for such revered position,” he continued.

“I have many other demands including immediate formation of Health Profession Education Commission and continue the tenure of Dr JP Ajrawal as IoM dean, among others. All of these should be addressed before I break my fast.”

And he decided to hold his ground, saying that the legal procedures following the decision of SC automatically calls for Parajuli’s resignation as Chief Justice.

“Until he occupies the position, the case will not move forward unbiased and will hamper delivery of justice,” Dr KC said in the statement.

The senior orthopaedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) has put forth five-point demand, including the resignation of CJ Parajuli and a probe into his conduct.

Dr KC had begun his 14th fast-unto-death on Monday after the apex court decided to reinstate Dr Shashi Sharma as the dean of TU, Institute of Medicine.

 The anti-corruption crusader said such decisions set a bad precedent and could lay waste to all the achievements in health education.

Presenting a long list of judgments made by the court in favour of private medical colleges, Dr KC accused the judiciary of serving the interests of “mafias and medical college owners”. He has already staged 13 rounds of hunger strikes demanding reforms in the country’s health education and medical sector.