Brotherless Night

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, and rape.

K begins his hunger strike. It is all performed on a public stage so that supporters and enemies alike can witness his sacrifice. Sashi stays by his side, though she tries to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. K repeats the Tamil separatists’ most pressing demand: The Indian soldiers must be expelled. The Tigers will not relinquish their weapons, as outlined in the peace accord, and they will no longer tolerate any foreign presence.

K’s version of a hunger strike is extreme; he even refuses water, though Sashi pleads with him to be reasonable. She notes that even Gandhi drank water during his hunger strikes; K believes that this refusal makes his pursuit even nobler. People come from all corners of the country to watch K starve to death. The leader of the Indian forces, with whom the Tamil Tigers discuss their response to K’s protest, refuses to budge. He believes that K’s actions are mere provocations designed to garner sympathy and publicity.

K gives a final speech, wherein he calls for outright war in the aftermath of his death. Sashi cannot believe that he will let himself die—indeed, she senses that K himself wants someone to give him reprieve.