New Delhi:  Bhopal gas survivors today launched an indefinite global hunger strike with Man Booker shortlisted author Indra Sinha joining them from France.

Three organisations working for the Bhopal gas survivors have organised the programme in a bid to attract global attention and pressurise the Indian government to fulfil their demands, which include a special empowered commission for rehabilitation.

"The Prime Minister underestimates the emotive power of the Bhopal struggle. The hunger strike will catalyse global opinion against the Prime Minister s refusal to yield to the Bhopalis justified demands," Sinha said in a statement from France.

Sinha, who won the nomination for his fiction "Animal's People", joined the protesters from his residence in south-west France, a spokesperson for the protesters said.

In New Delhi, nine survivors and other activists began their agitation at Jantar Mantar while their supporters in 18 other countries started their hunger strike simultaneously demanding comprehensive rehabilitation plans for the survivors.

Source : PTI