Mallika Sarabhai defies pressure, joins ASHA workers’ protest virtually

File picture of Mallika Sarabhai, renowned dancer and Kerala Kalamandalam Chancellor.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Refusing to bow to pressure, renowned dancer and Kerala Kalamandalam Chancellor Mallika Sarabhai joined a protest meeting in Thrissur virtually on Thursday (May 1, 2025), standing in solidarity with the ongoing agitation of ASHA workers.

Ms. Sarabhai participated in the event, ‘Honorarium for ASHA workers’, a citizen’s crowd funding campaign, by transferring honorarium of ₹1,000 to one of the protesting workers. Noted poet and lyricist Rafeeq Ahmed inaugurated the event.

In a social media post Ms. Sarabhai has alleged that limitations have been placed on her freedom of expression in her new academic role as Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam.

In a strong social media note, she wrote, “Today I got my first taste of what it means to be the Chancellor of a University. Restricted speech.”

“There is an ASHA workers agitation on in Thrissur about increasing their pay. I believe these workers everywhere do very important work and are ill paid and used. Sarah Joseph is leading a citizens’ crowd funding to increase their salary. I was asked for my opinion and gave it as me, as I have done all my life. Oh, not allowed any more. Hmmm. How do I stop being me? Do I even want to?” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Noted writer and activist Sarah Joseph has expressed deep concern over the reported pressure exerted on Ms. Sarabhai against participating in the ASHA workers’ protest.

The ASHA workers protest cannot be silenced. This protest is not a political move against the government. Our effort is to express solidarity with the protesting ASHA workers,” Ms. Sarah Joseph said.

Calling for an urgent resolution, Sarah Joseph emphasised, “The strike should not have dragged on this long. Either the government must meet the workers’ demands and end the protest, or the Asha workers must voluntarily withdraw. If neither happens, the larger society will respond — and this protest is one such response of solidarity.”