A group of eminent citizens, including writer Arundhati Roy, actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, and economist Jayati Ghosh, on Monday appealed to protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to end their fast while reiterating support for their demand seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
In a joint statement, the signatories said they were "immensely grateful" 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 call off the hunger strike, they 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 you, your strength and leadership in the days to come."
The signatories said they were worried 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," they said.
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 parameters showed 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 June 28, was admitted to RML Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated.
The statement also urged people in Delhi to join the CJP's proposed march to Parliament on July 20, which coincides with the start 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 CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite fast since then. The organisation has also announced a march to Parliament on July 20.
(With inputs from PTI)
