Thrissur (Kerala), May 1 (PTI) Renowned dancer and Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam, Mallika Sarabhai, has alleged that limitations have been placed on her freedom of expression in her new academic role.
In a candid Facebook post on Wednesday, Sarabhai reflected on her experience, writing: "Today I got my first taste of what it means to be the Chancellor of a University. Restricted speech."
Her remarks come in the wake of an ongoing protest by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in Thrissur, who are demanding better wages and improved working conditions.
She expressed her support for the cause, stating that ASHA workers are "ill-paid and used" despite the critical work they perform across the country.
Sarabhai also highlighted a citizens' crowdfunding initiative, led by noted writer and activist Sarah Joseph, to support the workers in Thrissur, in which she has been invited to participate on Thursday.
However, Sarabhai revealed that after expressing her personal opinion on the issue, she was seemingly advised against doing so, leading her to question the constraints now placed upon her public voice.
"There is an ASHA workers' agitation on in Thrissur about increasing their pay. I believe these workers everywhere do very important work and are underpaid and used. Sarah Joseph is leading a citizens’ crowdfunding to increase their salary.
"I was asked for my opinion and gave it to them, as I have done all my life. Oh, not allowed any more. Hmmm. How do I stop being me? Do I even want to?" she wrote on her Facebook page.
She has not disclosed who attempted to impose these restrictions on her freedom of expression.
Later in the day, Sarabhai joined the protest by sending a message to express her support for the cause.
"The ASHA workers fulfil a crucial and neglected role in society. They must be valued, and one important way of doing this is to pay them better... I stand with them for better pay," she was quoted as saying in the message read out at the protest venue.
She also sent Rs 1,000 to an ASHA worker’s GPay account, joining the crowdfunding initiative led by Sara Joseph.
In her speech, Joseph said this is not a protest by people who stop speaking when the government issues such directions.
The government must understand that ASHA workers are not like the female party workers who can be controlled by their political parties.
Neither the Left government nor the university authorities have reacted to the allegations so far.
The Left government appointed Sarabhai as the Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University for Art and Culture on December 6, 2022.