Two women mid-day meal cooks participating in an ongoing protest for higher wages in Chhattisgarh’s New Raipur have died this week after their health deteriorated, intensifying concerns over the prolonged agitation and the working conditions of school meal workers.
Deaths during wage hike protest
The deceased have been identified as Rukmani Sinha, in her 50s from Balod district, and Dulari Yadav, in her early 60s from Bemetara district. Sinha died on January 26 at a hospital in Rajnandgaon, while Yadav passed away a day later at a hospital in Bhilai.
Both women were part of the protest led by the Chhattisgarh School Madhyanh Bhojan Rasoiya Sanyukta Sangh, which has been demanding an increase in daily wages from ₹66 to ₹340. The agitation entered its 31st day this week. The state government has announced a marginal hike of ₹16.6 per day, which protesters say is grossly inadequate.
Family accounts and medical findings
Dulari Yadav’s grandson Gaukaran Yadav said she travelled to the protest site on January 23 and fell ill days later. “She had no prior health issues. She complained of breathlessness before being hospitalised,” he said. Doctors at Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences said she was suffering from pneumonia, severe breathing distress, acidosis and low blood pressure, and was brought in a critical condition.
Rukmani Sinha returned home from the protest on January 24 after feeling unwell. Her family initially suspected exhaustion, but her condition worsened overnight. She was shifted from Balod hospital to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Medical College, where she died of cardiac arrest. Doctors confirmed she was diabetic and had multiple health complications.
Stir continues amid outrage
The deaths have sparked anger among protesting cooks, who say the prolonged agitation and low wages have taken a physical toll on workers, many of whom are elderly women. The Sangh has reiterated its demand for a substantial wage revision and better social security measures.