Kerala Asha Workers Protest Intensifies with Hair Cutting on Day 50
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On the 50th day of their protest, Asha workers in Kerala intensified their demonstration by cutting their hair, highlighting their demands for better pay and benefits. The protest has gained significant public support amid claims of government neglect.
Key Takeaways
- Protest Escalation: Asha workers cut their hair as a form of protest.
- Demand for Pay Increase: Workers seek a raise from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000.
- Public Support: Large crowds gather daily to support the protest.
- Political Backing: Congress-led UDF and BJP-led NDA support the workers.
- Government's Response: Minister calls additional payments unrealistic.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (NationPress) Leaders of the ongoing protest by Asha workers in front of the Kerala secretariat escalated their demonstration by cutting their hair on Monday, marking the 50th day of their movement.
Numerous Asha workers were seen crying and chanting ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ as they made their way to the Kerala secretariat.
Prior to cutting their hair, hundreds of women, with their hair flowing freely, marched to the state secretariat, located just 50 meters from the office of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
At 11:10 a.m., a large group of protesting Asha workers cut their hair, and similar actions occurred in other districts of the state.
One Asha worker was even tonsured while continuing to chant slogans.
“Our hair is as valuable to us as our children. Despite our legitimate demands, the Kerala government remains silent. We will not be silenced and will continue our protests until our requests are fulfilled,” stated Bindu, one of the leaders of the Asha workers.
The Asha workers are demanding an increase in their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 per month, along with a one-time benefit of Rs 5 lakh each upon retirement at the age of 62.
“Regardless of the situation, we will not leave until our demands are addressed. We earn merely Rs 232 for a day's work, and we are advocating for our rightful demands. It is disheartening that the Left government has completely overlooked us. We will remain here until we receive a favorable response,” expressed Mini, another Asha worker.
“The indefinite relay fast has entered its 12th day on Monday, and we question whether CM Vijayan's daughter would endure hunger for a single day. We have no choice since we cannot survive on just Rs 232 daily.
“We are merely requesting what the Left manifesto promised us. The hair-cutting protest is just the beginning, and we intend to escalate our demonstrations,” added another Asha worker.
There are 26,000 Asha workers in Kerala. Although the CM Vijayan-led Left government claims that only a small fraction of Asha workers are protesting in front of the state secretariat, the women have gained substantial public support.
Large crowds gather daily at the protest site to show solidarity with the Asha workers, and on Monday, there was a significant turnout of people and Asha workers at the venue.
Both the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA have expressed support for the protesters.
These parties have announced that starting from the new fiscal year, local bodies they control will provide additional payments to the protesting workers from their funds under the non-Plan category.
However, Kerala Local Self Government Minister, M.B. Rajesh, dismissed this proposal as infeasible, stating that regulations do not permit such payments.
He further described this as merely a form of eyewash aimed at gaining public favor, with promises that cannot be realized.
