Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 14: A group of prominent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, has appealed to protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to end their fast while reaffirming support for their demand seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the signatories expressed gratitude to the protesters for leading the agitation against the government but voiced concern over their deteriorating health.
"We salute your sense of purpose, the determination and courage with which you are spearheading this movement for students and youth across the country," the statement said.
Appealing to the protesters to end the hunger strike, the signatories said, "We request you to please consider ending this hunger strike immediately in the interests of the longer and more difficult struggle ahead. This battle is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need your strength and leadership in the days to come."
They also expressed concern that the government's alleged failure to respond to the protesters' demands could further endanger their health.
"We worry that their negligence in responding to your demands will only worsen the already fragile state of health that many of you are in," the statement added.
The appeal came on the 24th day of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest at Jantar Mantar and the 16th day of educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike.
According to the organisers, Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since beginning his fast. His latest medical assessment recorded a blood pressure of 107/70 mmHg and a blood glucose level of 67 mg/dL.
AISA activist Deepak, who had been on a hunger strike since Jun 28, was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated.
The signatories also appealed to residents of Delhi to participate in the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed march to Parliament on Jul 20, coinciding with the commencement of the Monsoon Session.
Besides Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and Jayati Ghosh, the statement was signed by academics Anuradha Chenoy, Nivedita Menon, Tanika Sarkar and Aditya Nigam, filmmaker Sanjay Kak, activist Lalita Ramdas, Kavita Srivastava, feminist Madhu Bhushan and cultural practitioner Arundhati Ghosh.
The Cockroach Janta Party has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the agitation on Jun 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike since then. The organisation has also announced a march to Parliament on Jul 20.