ASHA workers mark 50th day of protest by cutting hair in defiance

ASHA workers marked the 50th day of their day-night protest by cutting their hair in an act of defiance against the ongoing delay in addressing their demands.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @T'Puram

Padmajam and Beena, two ASHA workers, shaved their heads, while state representatives of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) cut their hair at the main protest site in front of the Secretariat. Similar demonstrations of solidarity were observed across the state.

Protesters chanted slogans while holding their shorn locks, later weaving them into a garland that was prominently displayed at the venue.

In a show of support, Raju P George, the priest of St Thomas Mar Thoma Church in Pathanapuram, also cut his hair, stating that he stood in solidarity with ordinary women fighting for justice. A V Reghu and Sandeep Shankar, councillors from Angamaly Municipality, went a step further by shaving their heads and pledging to donate their Rs 10,000 honorarium to the protesting ASHA workers.