Mass fasting planned by ASHA workers in front of Kerala Secretariat on March 24

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Asha Health Workers Association has planned a mass fasting protest outside the Secretariat on Monday. Their indefinite strike has reached its 41st day, with the hunger strike continuing for the third day. The protest is being led by State General Secretary M A Bindu, along with Asha workers Sobha M and K P Thangamani.

Asha workers who are able to attend in person will participate in the mass fasting on Monday, while others will support it by observing it at local centres or workplaces. Several supporting organizations are also expected to gather at the Secretariat.

In a gesture of solidarity, Arnab, a Class III student from Sarvodaya Central School in Nalanchira, donated his merit scholarship to the association, handing it over to State President V K Sadanandan, TNIE reported.

In response, the state government condemned the protest, labelling it as politically driven. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian accused an organized group of stirring public sentiment while disregarding financial limitations.

Speaker A N Shamseer emphasized that the government had made all possible efforts and urged the protest to end. Higher Education Minister R Bindu also questioned why Asha workers did not raise their issues with Union Minister Suresh Gopi directly, instead sang to him, referencing a film song he had acted in.