This is a justified protest; ASHA workers' strike is a symbol of women's resistance in Kerala: V.D. Satheesan

V.D. Satheesan criticized the Health Minister, stating that the minister should be able to distinguish between what is necessary and unnecessary. He emphasized that the ASHA workers' strike highlights the strength of women's resistance in Kerala. He also remarked that the Health Minister, who dismissed the protest as unnecessary, should reassess what truly matters. Satheesan made these comments while addressing the ASHA workers’ protest in front of the Secretariat.

"The ten-day-long protest has made it clear to public representatives like me what women's resistance in Kerala truly means. These women have proven that they have the power to shake everyone. This is a justified protest. Nowhere in the world has anyone done the kind of work our ASHA workers do. They work tirelessly, day and night, without a break. They deserve fair wages for their hard work," Satheesan said.

He added that the government must accept the demands to raise the honorarium to ₹21,000 and provide retirement benefits. The Congress party fully supports the strike, he asserted.

Satheesan also criticized the Chief Minister, saying, "The Chief Minister must understand that this is not Stalin’s Russia; this is our Kerala," referring to the reports that protesting workers were asked to appear at the police station.