AI pilots' indefinite fast enters 6th day, 2 more hospitalised

So far, five pilots -- three in Delhi and two in Mumbai -- have been hospitalised since they began their hunger strike on Sunday.

Capt Anchit Bhardwaj and Capt Ajay Goyal were shifted to RML hospital from the agitation venue at Jantar Mantar, agitating pilots said.

About 12 pilots in Mumbai and 15 in Delhi are on indefinite hunger strike from Sunday. Over 400 IPG pilots have been on strike since May 7.

The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), leading the 53-day long strike and the hunger strike, again criticised the management for not taking any initiative to resolve the impasse.

"It is clear that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is now taking all the decisions pertaining to Air India and the AI management has a negligible role to play," IPG said in statement, adding that it would be a "good idea" to replace the entire senior management of the ailing national carrier.

The IPG said that Air India CMD Rohit Nandan had reiterated Government's position that the pilots must withdraw the agitation and those terminated would be taken back on case-to-case basis. Nandan's comments came at a meeting he had with the parents of some striking pilots yesterday.

The agitators are insisting that they would do so only after the termination orders were revoked.

The IPG also criticised Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh for going abroad "while the pilots and their families have gone on to fast indefinitely... This goes to show the level of commitment the Ministry and the management have to resolve this long-standing crisis."

The agitating pilots also took out a "candle march" at India Gate in Delhi.