They are detained under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (1967).
Rashim Singh, a PhD student at University of Houston, USA, a volunteer and an Executive Board member of Association for India's Development (AID) is on the 8th day of her 10-day fast, which started on June 16. Several other NRIs are also fasting in solidarity, from 1 to 4 days.
Singh says, "A man (Sen) who for 30 years has dedicated his life to the service of the poor cannot be branded as a threat to the country".
AID Houston volunteers Anand Chandolu and Shekhar Gosavi who were with Rashim when she began her fast said: "We must do more to raise awareness about this cause. We pray for the people in India and USA, from various groups such as Chattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Asha Parivar, National Alliance of People's Movement, AID that are fasting for the release of Dr Binayak Sen, a noted doctor and human rights activist working with PUCL."
Those fasting in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, include Dr. Sandeep Pandey (Magsaysay Award Winner & Social Worker), Prem Narain Verma (Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha), Prem Prakash & Faizal (from Asha Parivar) and several other activists from various organizations in India.
