Women’s alliance condemns brutality against ASHA workers, calls for fair action

By A Representative

The All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has issued a statement condemning the police violence against protesting ASHA workers in Kerala and urging both the state and central governments to take immediate and fair action on their longstanding demands.

In its press release, ALIFA recalled its earlier letter to the Kerala Chief Minister on September 4, 2025 (acknowledged as [e-10004057/2025/MIN(HEALTH)]), which expressed solidarity with the ASHA workers and urged dialogue. The alliance noted that despite repeated appeals, no meaningful action was taken.

ALIFA described the use of water cannons, detentions, and physical force against thousands of women health workers as deeply disturbing, especially in a state often cited as a model for social welfare. The organisation highlighted that ASHA workers have been the backbone of India’s public health system through epidemics, floods, and the pandemic, yet continue to be treated as “volunteers,” denied living wages, pensions, or insurance. Their current protest demanding ₹21,000 per month, retirement benefits, and formal recognition, it said, is a legitimate call for justice.

The statement further observed that while the Centre’s failure to raise the National Health Mission (NHM) budget has strained state finances, fiscal constraints cannot justify repression. ALIFA urged both Centre and State to act in cooperation to address the crisis and ensure that care work is recognised as essential labour.

The organisation demanded immediate withdrawal of police cases, a public apology from the Kerala Government, implementation of living wages and social security measures, formal recognition of ASHAs as workers, a national review of the NHM remuneration framework, and establishment of joint Centre–State mechanisms to ensure timely payments, safety, and dignity for all ASHA workers.

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