File Photo of Aam Aadmi Party Leader Arvind Kejriwal
Going on hunger strikes did not help me and that is why I finally entered politics. This was Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal's advice to protesting teachers who are sitting on a fast unto death in New Delhi.
A group of teachers from the All Guest Teachers Association who get paid on daily basis for teaching in different government schools, have been sitting on a dharna for around three weeks.
They have been demanding the renewal of services of around 10,200 teachers, demanding an increase in the age limit for them to be eligible for selection under the scheme. They are also demanding a permanent salary to be fixed for the group.
A small group among them have called for a fast unto death unless their demands are met. Mr Kejriwal met them and persuaded them to end the fast.
When the protesting teachers asked what the former Delhi Chief Minister could do for them, he said he could join them on dharna, but this would not help achieve anything.
"Hunger strike won't help you. Don't trouble your body. I used to do this for 15 days and then I finally decided to enter politics," Arvind Kejriwal told the protesting teachers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
"It looks like by sitting here you won't get any respite by the BJP government. You should meet the Lt Governor or the Minister."
This assumes significance because Mr Kejriwal's career prior to forming a political party and even while he was the Chief Minister was marked with several dharnas and hunger strikes.
Assuring support to the teachers, he said that if AAP government comes to power in Delhi he will solve their problems. Mr Kejriwal also took two teachers to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital as their condition was deteriorating.
Interestingly, a section of protesting teachers, somewhat agitated, also questioned Mr Kejriwal on whether he would lead a rally to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's office, which the teachers have planned. He again extended his support.
"Politicians will keep coming to assure their support because the elections are round the corner and these parties will indulge in mudslinging. He could have solved our problem while he was the Chief Minister. We are suffering because of the wrong policies of the Delhi government.
"He has promised us to help in front of the media. We told him that if you want to help us, then come and join us in our protest. We will see if he helps us," Deepak Kumar (32), one of the protesting teachers, said.