Protest and backlash against the Namma Metro fare hike
BMRCL’s fare hike had increased ticket prices by upto 100%, making Namma Metro the most expensive metro in the country. This hike was followed by an immediate decrease in ridership numbers and a massive backlash against the hike. Multiple protests demanding the complete withdrawal of the hike were held across the city. As a response, the maximum fare hike was capped at 71%.
Over 9,000 contract nurses and paramedics strike in Bengaluru
The indefinite strike, organised by the Karnataka State Contract Paramedical Employees Welfare Association, started on February 26 in Freedom Park. The protestors, mostly women from all over Karnataka, spent the night at the venue on the day of the Hindu festival Shivaratri demanding a revision of their salaries and inter-district transfers. They criticised the government, stating that despite working for 15 years, they receive a meagre salary of Rs. 14,000 per month.
Karnataka farmers launch sit-in protest
Thousands of farmers and agricultural workers from all over the state began a sit-in protest at Freedom Park on February 10. The protestors gathered under the banner of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, under AIKS, and other groups under AIAWU. Their demands include land and housing rights for the landless, fair prices for crops, strengthening of APMC, increase in the minimum number of workdays under MGNREGA and an end to government-led land acquisition for corporate profiteering.
Tamil Nadu Samsung workers holds sit-in strike, Kancheepuram strike on March 8
About 600 SIWU members have held a sit-in strike since February 5 in the Samsung factory in Sriperumbudur after the management suspended three office-bearers of the union. On the evening of February 21, workers across industries held a solidarity protest in Oragadam. A one-day solidarity strike in all 58 industrial units in the Kancheepuram belt on March 8 has been announced, with participation from around 15,000 workers.
Centre withdraws Advocates (Amendment) Bill after lawyers protest
The Union Law and Justice Ministry withdrew the draft bill amidst strikes and protests by lawyers and severe criticism by the Bar Council of India. The draft amendment endangered the autonomy of the BCI by allowing the government to nominate members, issue directions and brought in the ability of corporate and foreign interference by changing the definition of a “legal practitioner” and including non-legal persons into the body. It also prohibited boycotts or abstention from court proceedings.
ASHA sit-in protest in Kerala against delay in receiving honorarium and incentives
The ASHA Health Workers Association has been conducting a sit-in protest in Thiruvananthapuram since February 10. The protest is against the delay in receiving their honorarium and incentives. They also demand a raise in their monthly honorarium to Rs 21,000 along with having retirement benefits. On February 19, the Health Minister stated that they had decided to give the pending honorariums without conditions, though there is no word on the pending incentives.
