Thu May 01 18:21:27 UTC 2025: ## Renowned Dancer Mallika Sarabhai Defies Pressure, Supports ASHA Workers’ Protest
**Thrissur, Kerala, May 2, 2025** – Renowned dancer and Kerala Kalamandalam Chancellor Mallika Sarabhai has openly defied alleged restrictions on her freedom of speech, participating in a virtual protest supporting ASHA workers’ demands for increased pay. Ms. Sarabhai contributed ₹1,000 to a citizen-led crowdfunding campaign for the workers, despite claiming she faced pressure to refrain from involvement.
In a Facebook post, Ms. Sarabhai expressed her frustration at the limitations imposed on her since assuming her Chancellorship, stating, “Today I got my first taste of what it means to be the Chancellor of a University. Restricted speech.” She voiced her strong support for the ASHA workers, highlighting their crucial yet underpaid role in healthcare.
Noted writer and activist Sarah Joseph echoed Ms. Sarabhai’s concerns, expressing deep worry over the alleged pressure exerted on the dancer. Ms. Joseph emphasized the importance of the ASHA workers’ protest, stating it is not politically motivated but a plea for fair compensation. She called for an urgent resolution to the ongoing strike, urging either the government to meet the workers’ demands or the workers themselves to withdraw their protest to avoid further societal repercussions. The protest, she said, represents the larger society’s response of solidarity. The article also mentioned other sections of the publication, including daily news from Karnataka, cinema reviews, technology updates, and a science newsletter.
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