ANGANWADI workers and helpers' strike in Haryana from December 8, 2021, has crossed 80 days.  Shamelessness and repression of BJP raj continue.  But thousands of workers and helpers are in the movement with strong determination, putting their jobs at stake.

UNPRECEDENTED WOMEN'S STRUGGLE

This is a historic movement. Widows constitute about half of the workers and helpers working in ICDS.  In the state, a worker gets Rs 11,448 and a helper gets Rs 6,045 as an honorarium. Even this amount has not been paid to them for the last three months. Yet, the anganwadi workers and helpers are participating in the agitation, daily, paying fares from their own pockets.  The state government has terminated the services of around 300 workers and helpers.  Every day dozens of sacking notices are being issued. Yet, they are determined to continue their movement.

WORKERS-HELPERS HAVE TO STRUGGLE ON TWO FRONTS

Two fronts of struggle have been opened for these workers and helpers – one front is that of the government and the other front is of their own families. As the movement continues over a long period of time, there is immense pressure from the family members as well.  For many women, the situation at their home remains tense amid fear of losing their job, bearing the daily cost of commuting to district headquarter for protests for about the last three months. 

Cases of domestic violence have been reported from many places.  In a patriarchal society like Haryana, sustaining a women's movement like this one for so long is a big deal in itself.  Yet, the agitating women are firmly confronting on both fronts.  There are also reports from some places that the workers opened their anganwadi centres under pressure, but the helpers of the same centres are boldly participating in the strike.  There are innumerable instances where the workers have also arranged fares for the helpers to come to the movement by donating collectively.

MAHAPADAV IN KARNAL FROM FEBRUARY 14

On the call of the coordination committee of anganwadi workers and helpers, the striking workers held a big rally in Karnal, the assembly constituency of the chief minister, on February 14 and started the mahapadav.  About 20,000 workers and helpers from across the state participated in this mahapadav rally.

Apart from other leaders, the public meeting was addressed by CITU general secretary, Tapan Sen, all India president of anganwadi federation, Usha Rani and general secretary, A R Sindhu.  Tapan Sen termed the anti-people and anti-women behaviour of the BJP government as shameless.  The path the BJP is treading is that of ruin.  People will not forgive the BJP for this.  He said that the entire trade union movement of the country stood with them.  After the meeting, a huge procession was taken out in Karnal city and the workers and helpers sat at Ghantaghar Chowk, in the heart of Karnal city.  From about 5 pm to 10 pm, thousands of workers and helpers sat and held a public meeting. 

But the government's behaviour remained hostile.  No invitation for talks was given. The protesters had their food in the open, arranged by the sevaks of a local gurudwara.  A procession was taken out in the city till midnight.  On the next day, the deputy commissioner's office was gheraoed, after which an invitation for talks was given by the government.  Now, for the last 10 days, and nights, sit-in protest of women continues in Karnal.

ON MARCH 3, PROTEST OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY

The meeting, convened on February 21 under the chairmanship of the additional chief secretary, Haryana government, ended without any result.  The emphasis of the officers was the unconditional withdrawal of agitation before the demands are considered. It was outrightly rejected by the coordination committee.  The committee has decided to gherao Haryana Vidhan Sabha on March 3, the day, when the budget session would be held.  In the next week, 10 lakh copies of the appeal will be distributed to the general public.  Mahapadav meanwhile continues in Karnal.  There are dharnas going on in other districts too.  On February 25, a day-night dharna will be held at the residences of BJP ministers in all the districts.

SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY OF OPPOSITION PARTIES & MANY ORGANIZATIONS

This movement has become a point of discussion in the state.  Almost all the opposition parties like CPI(M), CPI, INLD, Congress etc., have given their support to the movement.  Congress state president, Selja Kumari, and former chief minister and leader of the opposition, Bhupendra Singh Hooda, supported the demands of the movement by reaching the maha padavin Karnal.  They also assured this issue will be raised vigorously in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha session.  Actions have been held in support of the movement by CITU and Sarvakar Machari Sangh, Janwadi Mahila Samiti, Kisan Sabha and other organisations.  Helping hands are extended by other movements as well.