Gujarat Panchayat Health Workers Detained Amid Protest Over Pending Demands

Gandhinagar: In a dramatic turn of events, over 500 health workers employed with the Gujarat Panchayat department were detained by the police on Thursday as they attempted to reach the Gujarat Assembly to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The workers, who have been on an indefinite strike since March 17, were demanding long-overdue reforms in their cadre structure and salary revisions.

The large-scale detentions turned Gandhinagar into a virtual police camp, as authorities swiftly moved to prevent the protestors from surrounding the assembly. Despite their peaceful march, the police crackdown came in full force, leading to chaotic scenes as health workers, including many women, were forcibly taken into custody.

Years of Unmet Demands Ignite Protest

The health workers, including Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MPHW), Female Health Workers (FHW), Multi-Purpose Health Supervisors (MPHS), Female Health Supervisors (FHS), and district-level health supervisors, have been fighting for their inclusion in the technical cadre, grade-pay revision, and exemption from departmental examinations for MPHW-FHW cadres.

Despite repeated attempts over the past two years to engage with the government, their demands have gone unheard. After receiving no positive response, the Health Workers Federation had given an ultimatum until March 1. When the government failed to act, health workers staged demonstrations at Satyagraha camps on March 5 and began boycotting online and offline operations from March 7. As their pleas continued to be ignored, they escalated to an indefinite strike starting March 17.

Police Crackdown: Workers Express Anguish

Eyewitnesses described tense moments as police forces detained the protestors in large numbers, bundling them into police vehicles before they could reach the assembly. The treatment of the workers, who had played a frontline role during the COVID-19 pandemic, has sparked widespread outrage.

A female health worker, holding back tears, questioned the government’s harsh treatment. “My child has not received drinking water. We have come for our rights. Why is the government treating us like this? Please let us go.”

Another protestor from Nandod in Narmada district expressed anger at how health workers—once hailed as “corona warriors”—were now being humiliated. “We were respected and praised during the pandemic. But today, when we ask for our legitimate rights, we are being treated like criminals.”

What Happens Next?

With the detention of hundreds of workers, the situation remains volatile. The government has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the health workers’ grievances. However, the protestors remain determined, vowing to continue their fight until their demands are met.