Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand went on a hunger strike in June 2018, demanding a ban on mining and hydropower projects in the river Ganges. In response, the Union minister for River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said: “Our government is considering the proposal for not installing the new hydropower projects on the upper reaches of river Ganga. In addition, we are also planning to stall the projects those have got approvals but not yet started. Our government is serious about Ganga Act and I assure you that it would be placed on the table for cabinet approval within a month," but civil society alleged no action took place to clean up the river. Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand sent his first letter on February 24 2018 and then on June 13 2018 to the Prime Minister with demand for river Ganga rejuvenation and he had added that if the demands are nor met he would begin his fast-unto-death on June 22. He died on October 11 2018.