Hundreds of mid-day meal workers from 14 states gathered at Jantar Mantar on December 3, under the banner of the Mid-Day Meal Workers’ Federation of India (MDMWFI), affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). The protest ‘March to Parliament’ demanded regularisation of employment, a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month for 12 months a year, social security benefits, and pensions for mid-day meal workers.

The march was inaugurated by Tapan Sen, General Secretary of CITU, who commended the workers for their persistent state-level struggles and called for intensified national-level movements. “The anti-worker policies of this government, driven by a corporate-communal nexus, must be challenged through united struggles,” Sen declared.

Malini Mesta, General Secretary of MDMWFI, detailed the federation’s charter of demands, its history of mobilisation, and achievements in improving workers’ conditions despite government apathy.

The rally was addressed by leaders of fraternal organisations, including Vijoo Krishnan from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), B Venkat from the All India Agricultural Workers’ Union  (AIAWU), Asha Sharma from the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), and Surekha from the ASHA Workers’ and Facilitators’ Federation of India (AWFFI). AR Sindhu, National Secretary of CITU and General Secretary of the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH), also extended solidarity. They emphasized the importance of strengthening grassroots unity across all scheme workers and building a broader worker-peasant movement.

Leaders from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Rajasthan addressed the gathering, sharing stories of struggle and determination. They highlighted issues such as stagnant wages, irregular employment, and lack of benefits, which continue to plague mid-day meal workers nationwide.

The protest began with cultural performances, including songs inspired by workers’ struggles across various states, which energised the participants and underscored their resilience.

Jaibhagwan, Vice President of MDMWFI, concluded the rally by announcing a series of militant actions if the demands for wage hikes and regularisstion are not addressed in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament. He warned of coordinated strikes, both independent and joint, to press the government into action.

The rally ended with a call to intensify grassroots mobilization, build a unified worker-peasant movement, and take the fight to every corner of the country. Participants left with renewed determination to ensure dignity, fair wages, and social security for the mid-day meal workers who are critical to India's education and nutrition programs.

The mobilisation reflects the growing anger among workers, with mid-day meal workers joining the broader struggle for justice against the backdrop of government policies seen as neglecting their rights and livelihoods.