Tragedy Strikes as Two Mid-Day Meal Cooks Die During Wage Protest in Chhattisgarh
In a heartbreaking development, two women mid-day meal cooks participating in an ongoing protest for better wages in Chhattisgarh have died this week after their health deteriorated significantly. The tragic deaths occurred even as the state government announced a marginal daily wage increase of Rs 16.6, far below the protesters' demands.
Details of the Deceased Cooks
Rukmani Sinha, a woman in her 50s from Balod district, passed away at a hospital in Rajnandgaon on January 26. According to her son-in-law Mukesh Kumar, Sinha returned home from the protest site on January 24 after feeling unwell. "We thought it was due to lack of sleep or exhaustion and did not focus much on her," Kumar explained. "But that night, her health deteriorated, and we rushed her to Balod hospital, which referred her to Rajnandgaon medical college. She passed away in the afternoon on January 26."
Dr. Pawan Jethani, Deputy Superintendent of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Medical College, provided medical insight into Sinha's condition. "She was diabetic and her blood sugar levels had shot up when she came to the hospital," he stated. "She had multiple health issues which cannot be disclosed. Due to these issues, she died of cardiac arrest."
Dulari Yadav, in her early 60s from Bemetara district, died a day later at a hospital in Bhilai on January 27. Her grandson Gaukaran Yadav shared that his grandmother had joined the protest on January 23, and three days later, the family received a call from the organizing body saying her health had worsened. "They said she has been referred to the Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhilai," he recounted. "On January 27, before we could speak with her, she died. She had no health issues." Yadav added that his grandmother had complained of being unable to breathe before her condition deteriorated.
Medical Explanations and Protest Context
A doctor at the Shankaracharya hospital explained Yadav's medical condition, noting she had developed pneumonia. "She was having severe breathing issues for a week, acidosis and low blood pressure," the doctor revealed. "She was brought in a severe condition and had to be put on a ventilator immediately. There was a lot of delay in bringing her to our hospital and we could not save her life."
The deaths occurred as the agitation by the Chhattisgarh School Madhyanh Bhojan Rasoiya Sanyukta Sangh entered its 31st day. The cooks have been demanding a substantial hike in their daily wages from the current Rs 66 to Rs 340. Protest organizers have implemented a rotation system where cooks turn up at the protest site in batches, typically staying for around three days before others take their place.
Government Response and Ongoing Demands
Amid the prolonged protest and tragic deaths, the government announced a marginal daily wage increase of Rs 16.6. However, this increment falls significantly short of the protesters' demands and has done little to quell the agitation. The cooks continue to highlight their challenging working conditions and inadequate compensation for their crucial role in implementing the mid-day meal scheme across Chhattisgarh's schools.
The protest has drawn attention to the broader issues facing mid-day meal workers across India, including:
- Inadequate wages that fail to meet basic living standards
- Lack of formal employment benefits and job security
- Challenging working conditions in school kitchens
- Limited recognition for their essential contribution to child nutrition
As the protest continues, questions are being raised about the sustainability of the current wage structure and the need for more comprehensive support for these essential workers who play a vital role in India's school nutrition program.
