Kharagpur/New Delhi, Sep 21 - Over 1,300 teachers of the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Monday decided to go on a hunger strike Thursday to protest the government's apathy towards their demand for a better pay package.

'We will go on a hunger strike and stay hungry on Thursday to protest,' M. Thenmozhi told reporters after the national faculty federation of IITs met at IIT-Kharagpur.

The faculty at all the seven IITs is demanding that their payment be made at par with scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation.

'The payment issue is there. Besides, there are other issues including reservation over the appointment of professors at IITs too,' she added.

Thenmozhi, however, said that teaching at the IITs will not be affected as all the teachers will take classes.

She said the aim is not to hamper the study of students but to protest on legitimate issue.

She said the future course of action will be decided after 10-12 days, when the federation meets again.