NEW DELHI: A group of prominent writers, actors and academics, including Arundhati Roy, Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, on Monday urged protesters on an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to end their fast, even as they reiterated support for their demand seeking Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.In a joint statement, the signatories said they were “immensely grateful” to the protesters for leading the agitation against the government but expressed 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 added, “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 feared that the government’s alleged failure to respond to the demands could further jeopardise the health of those on hunger strike.“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 fast.According to 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 also been on hunger strike since June 28, was admitted to RML Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated.The statement also appealed to Delhi residents to participate in the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament on July 20, coinciding with the start of the monsoon session.Apart from Roy, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and economist Jayati Ghosh, the statement was signed by academics Anuradha Chenoy, Nivedita Menon, Tanika Sarkar and Aditya Nigam, filmmaker Sanjay Kak, activists Lalita Ramdas and 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 agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then. The organisation has announced a march to Parliament on July 20.(With PTI inputs)
