In a dramatic act of protest, dozens of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers cut their hair and shaved their heads outside the Kerala Secretariat on Monday, expressing their anger over the government’s alleged neglect of their demands.
Marking the 50th day of their agitation, the protesting ASHA workers gathered in large numbers, raising slogans against the government. Many were seen cutting their hair in an emotional gesture of defiance, while one woman broke down in tears before shaving her head completely.
“It’s our lives that are being cut. This is our protest against the ministers who turn a blind eye to our pain and problems. How are we supposed to survive on just ₹232 a day?” a protester lamented, holding strands of her severed hair.
Protest Spreads Across Kerala
The protest, which has been ongoing for several weeks, has now intensified with hair-cutting demonstrations taking place in Alappuzha and Angamaly as well. Some men also shaved their heads in solidarity with the ASHA workers.
“Our demands have not been considered empathetically by the government. This is not just an emotional protest—it’s a strong statement. We will spread our movement across the state,” said Mini S, a protest leader.
Along with the hair-cutting protest, an indefinite hunger strike has been underway at the venue for the past week.
ASHA Workers’ Demands and Government Response
The ASHA workers are demanding post-retirement benefits and a hike in their honorarium. However, the state government has maintained that a significant increase in honorarium is not feasible and has placed the responsibility on the central government.
According to the Kerala government, it has not received any financial assistance from the Centre under the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2023-24. However, the central government refuted this claim, stating that funds would be released once Kerala submits the required utilization certificate.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister J P Nadda announced in Parliament that the NHM’s Mission Steering Group has decided to increase the incentives for ASHA workers.
Sources By Agencies