The protest of Anganwadi workers is still going on strong in Dehradun more than a month after it was started. However, with the authorities not taking cognisance of their demands, they are planning to go on a fast unto death soon and even resort to self immolation.
On Monday, a large number of Anganwadi workers were present at the protest site adjoining the Parade Ground rooting for their demands that include a rise in salary, provident fund, pension after retirement, travel allowance and health insurance. While talking to The Pioneer, State president of Anganwadi workers union, Rekha Negi said, “Anganwadi workers have been there for about 35 years. The work has increased significantly, and the department has expanded too but all these years, there has been no improvement in the working conditions of Anganwadi workers. We work hard in schools, hospitals and villages, even in the remote areas but still, we are not acknowledged and treated well by the Government.”
Regarding their future plan of action she said, “If the Government continues to ignore our demands, we will undertake a fast unto death. Many of us are also ready to commit self immolation because we have nowhere else to go. We have no other choice except resorting to such measures.” “We will not budge from our demands. Our demands are genuine and fair.
We are not asking thousands or lakhs of rupees per month from the government, we just want a hike in our allowance that every woman working in this field day and night deserves,” said an Anganwadi worker Deepa Chauhan.
Another Anganwadi worker Kavita Gusain alleged, “The police and some political figures are trying to intimidate us. They are also telling us that we might lose our jobs too, but that does not bother us. Today we are fighting not just for our rights but also for the young women who will join this field in the future.” In the meantime, many Anganwadi workers think that the Government is not responding to them not because their demands are unfair but due to the fact that the protesters are just women.
According to one of the protesters Swati Negi, “We have spent three nights doing protest leaving our kids and families alone. We are not abusing or harassing anyone, or damaging any public properties. All we are doing is protesting for our rights peacefully. It is all because we are responsible citizens and not because we are weak or inferior to anyone."