ASHAs urge Kamal, Mammootty & Mohanlal to refrain from ‘extreme poverty-free’ Kerala declaration

Ahead of the official declaration of Kerala as an “extreme poverty-free” state on November 1, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Kerala have written an open letter to actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan, expressing their concerns that the state government’s claim does not reflect the reality faced by the "poorest workers."

In the letter, the ASHA workers highlighted that, despite dedicating 18 years of service to public health, their extreme poverty and daily hardships remain unaddressed. “Without an increase in our daily wage, proclaiming Kerala as a state free of extreme poverty is a grave lie propagated by the government,” they wrote.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the November 1 declaration at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, and the government has planned a star-studded event, inviting South India’s biggest film stars, including Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal. The ASHAs urged the actors to refrain from participating, warning that doing so without acknowledging their struggles may be seen as endorsing the government’s claim.

“Dear Artists, we appeal to you to witness our struggle in front of the Secretariat. We are extremely poor—unable to provide three meals a day, educate our children, survive illnesses, or repay debts,” the letter reads.

The ASHA workers have been engaged in a night-long sit-in protest since February 10, demanding recognition and fair wages. They noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, 11 of their colleagues died while providing patient care. Despite their selfless service, the government has taken no steps to improve their living conditions.

Currently, their daily wage is only ₹233, which is insufficient for basic survival. Many face debt, lack proper shelter, and care for sick family members. In the letter, they are demanding: 1) An Increase in daily wages from ₹233, 2) Retirement benefits of ₹5 lakh, and 3) Implementation of other fair measures to ensure livelihood and dignity.

The letter also described the hardships endured during the protest, including exposure to extreme heat, heavy rain, and pollution without basic facilities, and instances where police confiscated minimal belongings or forcibly detained protestors. Despite these challenges, the ASHAs emphasised that their protest has been peaceful and democratic.

Kerala’s aspiration to eliminate extreme poverty was first announced by the Chief Minister on May 21, 2021, following the first cabinet meeting of the second Pinarayi ministry. According to Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh, the target is over 99 per cent complete, with full achievement expected by November 1. Families were classified as “extremely poor” based on access to food, health, livelihood, and shelter.