BRS condemns police brutality against ASHA workers, demands immediate release

The BRS leaders demanded for immediate release of the arrested ASHA workers, quality treatment for the injured and also action against the police officials responsible.

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) condemned the police brutality against ASHA workers who staged a protest demanding for implementation of electoral promises by the Congress government at the office of Director of Health and Family Welfare in Koti here on Monday. The BRS leaders demanded for immediate release of the arrested ASHA workers, quality treatment for the injured and also action against the police officials responsible.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao denounced Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, questioning the government’s apathy towards ASHA workers, many of whom belong to backward classes and underprivileged sections. “Male police officers dragging women on the streets. What sin have these mothers committed? Is this the ‘Indiramma Rajyam’ of oppression and illegal arrests promised by the Congress?” he asked.

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He demanded urgent medical attention for Santoshini, an ASHA workers’ leader whose health was stated to be critical. He demanded that the State government fulfill its promises to the ASHA workers, and warned of repercussions if their demands are not addressed. He vowed that the BRS leaders would continue their fight until the ASHA workers’ issues were resolved.

Former Minister and senior MLA T Harish Rao lambasted the Congress for failing to honour its manifesto promise of increasing salaries of ASHA workers and providing job security. “The Congress pledged to improve working conditions for ASHA workers, but those who serve women are now beaten for demanding justice,” he said.

He reminded that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao recognised their work and raised their honorarium to Rs 10,000, but the Congress had not acted even after a year in power.

BRS MLC K Kavitha called the police action inhuman. She criticised the Congress government for breaking promises and resorting to violence against women who were peacefully demanding a fixed salary of Rs 18,000 as promised by the Congress during elections. “Is this Sonia Gandhi’s birthday gift to Telangana women?” she asked, warning that the people’s anger would end Congress’s rule.

Former Minister and senior MLA P Sabitha Indra Reddy found fault with the use of male police officers to assault female protesters. “How can you make tall claims about the Telangana Thalli in the Assembly and then attack ASHA workers outside? This government is failing at every level,” she said, demanding justice for the ASHA workers and the fulfillment of Congress’s promises.