Lucknow, June 29: A Varanasi-based sadhu hospitalised last Wednesday after his seven-week fast for a clean Ganga left him weak and emaciated was wheeled into intensive care this morning, a fortnight after death interrupted another crusader for the river.

Baba Nagnath Yogesh was shifted to BHU hospital where a doctor said the sadhu was suffering from dehydration and acute respiratory disorder.

“He has been kept under observation,” the doctor added.

Earlier this month, a young swami who had been fasting for over three months against illegal mining along the Ganga died in the same Dehra Dun hospital where Baba Ramdev was recuperating after his nine-day hunger strike.

Swami Nigamanand, 34, who began his fast on February 19, lapsed into coma and died on June 13.

Baba Nagnath’s disciples said the 52-year-old had first started his hunger strike in July 2008 to bring into focus growing pollution in the Ganga and the river’s falling level because of diversion of water for hydroelectric projects.

The sadhu, his disciples said, had told them he had been asked to begin the fast by Lord Shiva.

“He sat on fast at Monikarnika Ghat by the side of the river where hundreds of human bodies are burnt every day. Sometimes half-burnt bodies are thrown into the river,” said Swami Dayanand, the Baba’s assistant.

Hospitalised twice, the sadhu recovered both times.

His second spell of hunger strike began last July. The sadhu had to be hospitalised again, but recovered.

This year the Baba started his fast on May 3. His condition deteriorated on June 22, when local disciples rushed him to Shivprasad Gupt divisional government hospital in Varanasi. “He was emaciated and often going into long spells of unconsciousness,” said one disciple.

This morning, doctors referred him to BHU hospital after his condition worsened.