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Kerala Police Crackdown: ASHA Workers Face Water Cannons Amid 8-Month Protest

Kerala's opposition leader has strongly criticized the police action against protesting ASHA workers. The health workers have been demanding better pay and retirement benefits for over eight months now. Their protest escalated when they tried to reach the Chief Minister's residence during the President's visit. Police used water cannons and forcefully removed several protesters, drawing condemnation from political leaders.

Key Points: Satheesan Slams Vijayan Over ASHA Workers Police Action Kerala

  • ASHA workers demand honorarium increase from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 monthly
  • Police used water cannons and forceful removal during protest escalation
  • Workers have been protesting for 256 days seeking better benefits
  • Government committee recommended only Rs 3,000 increase against demands
3 min read

Kerala: LoP Satheesan slams CM Vijayan for his 'fascist' approach to ASHA workers' protest

Kerala LoP Satheesan condemns police crackdown on ASHA workers protesting for 8 months, demands government dialogue on honorarium and retirement benefits.

"The government must withdraw from this fascist approach to handling protests. - V.D. Satheesan"

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22

Reacting sharply to the way the Kerala Police went on a rampage on Wednesday against the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers who were protesting before the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the police action against the ASHA workers' march is highly undemocratic.

"The ASHA workers' struggle is for a legitimate demand. The government must withdraw from this fascist approach to handling protests. The Chief Minister and the government should put aside unnecessary stubbornness and ego and be ready for dialogue with the ASHA workers. Immediate steps should be taken to reach a settlement in the ongoing ASHA workers' protest, which has now been continuing for eight months," added Satheesan.

A section of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers who have been on protest for the last 256 days, demanding higher honorariums and post-retirement benefits, escalated their agitation on Wednesday, on a day President Droupadi Murmu was here on a four-day state visit.

The ASHA workers had recently brought their woes before President Murmu through a representation.

The ASHA workers, led by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA), had been staging a sit-in outside the state secretariat since the start of their protest early this year.

But on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters broke through multiple police barricades and faced water cannons as they tried to reach the Chief Minister's residence.

The demonstrators raised slogans accusing the Left government of ignoring their long-pending demands.

Their key demands include increasing their state-paid honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 per month and providing a post-retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh.

"ASHA workers are the backbone of the primary health system, but we continue to be treated like daily wage workers," said one of the protesters.

The agitation comes despite a state government-appointed committee recommending, in August, a modest increase of Rs 3,000 in the honorarium and a post-retirement benefit of Rs 1 lakh, far short of the workers' demands.

The issue also ties in with Central government initiatives.

In the evening, the protesters who intensified the protest before the Cliff House claimed that when the police tried to snatch the mike which they were using, a melee broke out.

Angry ASHA workers resisted and the police forcefully took away several protesters.

"Several of us been forcefully removed and taken away in police jeeps. We are not going to be cowed down by there actions. On Thursday, we have decided to observe as a total protest day over the way the police have targeted us today. I was beaten by a lady police official," said an ASHA worker .

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
While I support ASHA workers' demands, protesting during the President's visit was not the right approach. This created unnecessary tension. Both sides should come to the discussion table without ego.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has seen ASHA workers' dedication during the pandemic, I'm appalled by the police action. These women walk miles in rural areas to serve the poorest. They deserve dignity and fair compensation. The government's offer of ₹3000 increase is insulting.
K
Karthik V
The LDF government claims to be pro-worker but their actions speak otherwise. 256 days of protest and still no resolution? This is disappointing from a government that came to power promising workers' rights.
M
Michael C
I understand the financial constraints of the state, but ₹21,000 per month seems reasonable for the vital work ASHA workers do. They're essentially the frontline of our rural healthcare. The government should find a middle ground instead of using force.
A
Anjali F
Breaking police barricades is not the solution, but neither is police brutality. Lady police beating ASHA workers? This is unacceptable in a democratic society. Hope the Human Rights Commission takes note. 🙏

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