New Delhi: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has announced a pan-India hunger strike on Wednesday, September 25. The strike, which will last for three days (till September 27), is being held in protest against the Centre’s decision to privatise a few airports in the country.

It can be recalled that the Central Government had decided to privatise the operations of six Indian airports in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati, through a public-private partnership (PPP) model with the Adani Group.

Airport Authority of Employees Union (AAEU) General Secretary Balraj Singh Ahlawat informed ANI that the union had called a hunger strike to send a message to the government. He said, “All airports currently under the AAI, are making profits and we are capable of handling the airport in a professional manner. We have the support of the joint forum and all AAI employees supported us. We urge the government to roll back the decision on privatisation of airports.”

All Indian Airports Kamgar Union (IAKU) President Harendra Tiwary said, “We have appealed many times to the government through many channels, but they are not listening to our grievances to roll back their decision and stop the privatisation of airports.”

“If the government will not listen to our voice, we are going to unite and call a convention in Delhi on November 15 along with other PSUs like Banks, Coal, Steel, Port, and Insurance sectors, who are currently facing the same kind of situation and will move towards Jan Andolan,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Central Government is getting ready to further privatise 20-25 airports in the next phase.

(With inputs from ANI)