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An APPEAL to the PRISONERS Who are
on an Indefinite Hunger Strike in Chennai and Vellore Jails
We are deeply disturbed that the authorities in Tamil Nadu have not taken any
notice of the 11 political prisoners who are on indefinite hunger strike since
August 26, 2004. We are informed that the condition of the prisoners, including
three women, has deteriorated and their lives are in danger. It is a matter
of great concern that when the Central Government has decided to repeal POTA,
it is Tamil Nadu government which is not willing to consider the demand for
withdrawal of POTA cases against the prisoners. It is not ready to hear repeated
pleas of the people throughout the country who are concerned with the health
condition of the hunger strikers.
The prisoners are justified in their demand to lift cases against them. Firstly,
they are being held inside the prison for a long time without trial. Secondly,
they are political prisoners and they should be given the right to protest and
to be heard through democratic means. Going on hunger strike inside the jails
is one of the democratic means the prisoners usually adopt throughout the world.
It is resorted to only when all channels of protest in the jails make no impact.
The intransigence of the Tamil Nadu Government has forced the prisoners to take
such a step which entails a danger of bringing death to the hunger strikers
themselves rather than of hurting any other person.
We strongly wish that the voice of these prisoners should be heeded by the
government of Tamil Nadu.
To the prisoners we say that their cause is justified and we support their
cause. It has now become a public issue and their struggle has become a part
of the over all struggle for democratic rights. Some of the eminent concerned
citizens such as Justice Rajinder Sachar, Ex-Member of Parliament Surender Mohan,
Democratic Rights Activist Gautam Navlakha, Dr. Tripta Wahi and others met the
Home Minister of India on 9th September 2004 and submitted to him a memorandum
demanding immediate intervention in this matter.
We appeal to the brothers and sisters sitting on indefinite hunger strike that
as their cause is being taken up by the people outside of the jails they should
end their fast. We will continue to take up you cause and hope that this cause
would find mass support among the intellectuals, democratic, human and civil
rights activists and justice loving people throughout the country.
So, please end your fast and accept our congratulation for standing uprightly
and determinedly against oppression and injustice.
September 11, 2004
In Solidarity
- Justice Rajinder Sachar
- Justice Ajit Singh Bains
- Shri Surender Mohan, Ex-MP
- Dr. Nirmala Deshpande
- Prof. Ali Javed, DU
- Gautam Navlakha
- Dr. Tripta Wahi, DU
- Prof. Jagmohan Singh
- Hari Singh Tarq, President AFDR Punjab
- Prakash Rao, Convenor, Lok Raj Sangathan
Sent by:
Dr. Darshanpal President ALL INDIA PEOPLES RESISTANCE FORUM (AIPRF) aiprfdelhi@vsnl.net
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