AIFAWH Demands the immediate withdrawal of the order by Uttrakahand WCD Minster to all ICDS functionaries to perform “Jalabishek” in ‘Shivalayas” for “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”
Also demands immediate release of arrears of payment of wages and fund for supplementary nutrition pending since February 2022 in Uttarakhand so that the Betis can be saved
AIFAWH will resist all efforts for the communalisation of ICDS services
All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) strongly condemn the directive issued by Smt Rekha Arya, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development to all the functionaries of ICDS especially all anganwadi workers, helpers and mini workers to perform “jalabishek” (offering of water) in nearest ‘shivalayas” (Shiv temples) under the scheme “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” with slogan “Mujhe bhi janm lene do, Shiv ki mah me Shakti ka sankalp” (Allow me also to take birth, the pledge of Shakti in the month of Shiva) on 26 July 2022 on the occasion of her taking a ‘Kavad Yatra’ on the same slogan.
It is a shocking violation of the constitution of India and its secular fabrics as well as the shameful withdrawal of the state’s responsibility to implement the PCPNDT act to stop female foeticide and provide basic services of food and health to the women and girls for them to survive.
It is ironical that in Uttarakhand, the payment of wages of anganwadi workers and helpers and the funds for the supplementary nutrition is pending since February 2022. The Uttrakahand Anganwadi Seviaka Sahayika Sangh (CITU) affiliated to AIFAWH has been on struggle demanding the payment of arrears.
We demand the immediate disbursement of all arrears.
Anganwadi workers and helpers belong to various religions and personal beliefs. There are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, tribals and atheists who have different personal believes. No government or minster has any authority to ask them to perform a religious ritual as part of official work.
AIFAWH calls upon the anganwadi workers and helpers of Uttarakhand to oppose this order and boycott it.
It is no wonder that the state minster of BJP performing her Hindutva and personal propaganda when at the centre, eighty percent of the funds for the scheme “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” was spent on publicity of the Prime Minister. The payment central share of wages are also pending since February in many parts of the country. ICDS budget is being cut down drastically and the workers are asked to find ‘sponsors’ for running the anganwadi centres!
AIFAWH is organising struggles across the country demanding the strengthening of ICDS with increased budget allocation for good infrastructure, good quality supplementary nutrition, pre school education and health services, for rights of workers and helpers for minimum wages, pension and trade union rights. ‘Anganwadi Adhikar Mahapadav’ will be held on 26-29 July 2022 at Janatar Mantar, New Delhi. State level protests will be held on 26 July 2022.
AIFAWH will not allow any such efforts for the communalisation of ICDS services.
We call upon all the sections of the people to come out and raise their voices against such heinous acts by BJP.
Issued by
A R Sindhu
General Secretary
