Police used force as a protest by ASHA workers — demanding job security and better pay — turned violent on the day the statue of Telangana Thalli was unveiled. What’s forgotten is the promise of Rs 18,000 fixed salary in Congress’ manifesto.
Published Dec 12, 2024 | 9:37 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 12, 2024 | 4:30 PM
On December 9 ASHA workers took out a protest to demand a pay hike
The Congress was upbeat when a statue of Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana) was unveiled in the state Secretariat’s courtyard on Monday, 9 December, the concluding day of the A Revanth Reddy-led government’s celebration of one year in power.
The date was significant for the ruling party as it coincided with the birthday of Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi. The mythical Telangana Thalli herself was the “embodiment of the self-respect and existence of the people of Telangana”.
Then came the irony: The same day, several ASHA workers were on the streets of Hyderabad, demanding a fixed salary, which would cement their self-respect. To make matters worse, the protest turned violent, and the police used force to maintain law and order.
In the melee, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker and a mother of two fainted after — what she later claimed — the police tossed other protesters on her.
Several protesters were injured and detained. Even as the police were detaining the women, a reportedly injured ASHA worker even slapped an officer after her foot got stuck in the police vehicle’s door.
Life of an #ASHA worker: Promised a fixed salary of ₹18,000 in #Telangana.
A year later, the promise remains unfulfilled, leading to protests.
While being detained, her foot gets stuck in the DCM’s backdoor, and in frustration, she slaps a police officer.
Next, her saree is… pic.twitter.com/Obi0R3PcQb
— Sumit Jha (@sumitjha__) December 9, 2024
The demand for better pay has been a long-standing demand of ASHA workers. During the 2023 polls, the Congress manifesto promised an increase in their wages.
“Monthly salary will be increased for all field assistants/Asha workers/IKP/MGNREGA employees in addition to their job security (sic.),” the manifesto read.
Subsequently, the ASHA workers demanded an increase in pay to ₹18,000 and job security.
Speaking to South First, NHM Contract and Outsourcing Employees Union General Secretary, Rama Rajesh Khanna explained that there was no fixed pay for ASHA workers. “They are paid an honorarium depending on the work they do,” he said.
“Their income is dependent on their work, but for missions like the drive against leprosy and tuberculosis, they are yet to be paid their due incentives,” he said. He added that the ASHA workers were demanding at least a pay hike or clearing their dues.
The guidelines for ASHA workers describe them as honorary volunteers ineligible for a salary or an honorarium. However, subsequent National Health Mission pay breakdown guidelines put this at a base incentive of ₹6,750 in Telangana with additional incentives as per their performance.
SK Rahimbi is an ASHA worker from the Mothkur Mandal in the Yadadri district. As the sole support for her family of seven alongside her husband, a daily wage labourer, she receives a monthly pay of ₹9,900.
Rahimbi was among the ASHA workers at the protest on 9 December
“We are not asking for any extra money. We’re asking for what we were promised. All we asked for was an opportunity to submit a representation regarding the same,” she explained.
She was among the protestors at the Department of Medical Education (DME) office on 9 December. However, unlike the other protestors who were released from detainment at about 7 pm, she was rushed to Osmania General Hospital at 3 pm.
“My friends told me that I had fainted when they got on the bus and that they requested medical assistance. Despite their requests, I was brought here (to the hospital) after about three hours. It took them even longer to begin treating me,” she said.
She recounted the incidents to South First. “We gathered peacefully to demand better livelihood but were met with force. The police grabbed us. Male police personnel carried us into the van. Some were even pulling away protestors by their sarees,” Rahimbi alleged.
The woman has been an ASHA worker since 2016. “We have to report whenever they call, regardless of the time and day. Despite our meagre pay, we have to spend the majority of that money on being able to work effectively,” she said.
“The money we earn goes back into travel and other charges and often there’s less than half remaining at the end of the month,” Rahimbi explained.
“Even though we leave everything behind to work, the authorities seem to have no regard for us,” she rued.
A day after the 9 December incident, Minister for Women and Child Dasari Seethakka spoke to the media. She stated that she had requested Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to approve the protestors’ demand for a salary of ₹18,000.
In light of the #ASHA workers’ protest on 9 December, the #Telangana State Commission for Women has taken of the reported police misbehaviour while quelling the protest. Chairperson Sharada Nerella demanded an explanation from the police officials concerned.
With some of the… pic.twitter.com/DOPfGipzMm
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 10, 2024
Subsequently, Minister of Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Damodar Raja issued a statement. He alleged that the BRS was politicising the ASHA workers’ protest out of desperation.
He accused the BRS of inciting ASHA workers to protest to mar the Congress’ anniversary celebrations on 9 December. Noting that ASHA workers went on strike in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023 he questioned why the BRS didn’t do anything.
Requesting cooperation and restraint from ASHA workers, he affirmed that law and order disturbances would not be tolerated.
On 9 December, police threw a cordon around Osmania General Hospital. Despite heightened security, BRS leader KT Rama Rao visited the hospital to express solidarity with the ASHA workers. Recognising their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, he condemned police brutality.
“When KTR visited me I received good treatment. However, after a day, I’m being neglected again,” Rahimbi lamented.
Meanwhile, the Telangana State Commission for Women took cognizance of the incident. Chairperson Sharada Nerella demanded an explanation from the police officers concerned.
However, one Tirupatiamma, whose video of slapping a Sultan Bazar SHO was widely circulated on social media, has been charged. Several other ASHA workers, too, have been charged with assault and obstructing public servants from executing their duties.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
