Knowing very well that her actions could see her imprisoned, Chandrika Solanki, 41, threw bangles at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade during his visit to Vadodara on 23 October this year.
Solanki is the president of the Women's Wing of the Contract and Fixed Salary Struggles Committee and had started a state-wide protest against the Gujarat government demanding equal pay and rights for the Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers and was the face of the agitation.
Solanki is a firm believer in Babasaheb Ambedkar’s work and philosophy which motivated her to work with a group that strives for the development of the marginalised sections of society.
The plight of ASHA workers came to her notice when she was anchoring programmes at Chhota Udepur.
Asha workers shared their problems pertaining to low wages and poor working conditions. I asked them to raise their concerns but none of them were brave enough to come forward. That is when I decided to take things in my own hands and started the agitation.Chandriki Solanki
Hopes for a Congress Ticket
She was hopeful of getting a ticket from the Congress to contest the election from Vadodara City seat, but things didn’t transpire as per her wishes. She finally filed her nomination as an independent candidate, though the BSP had already offered her a ticket to fight the election as their star candidate.
“I must defeat the BJP. I can either be a part of Congress which is a strong opposition party here or fight it out alone and seek Congress support later. This election is important for me and my supporters. I had decided to contest elections this time and I will give a tough fight to BJP,” said Solanki who will fight as a ST candidate.
Fight Against BJP
Solanki wants to take the BJP candidate Manisha Vakil, head on. Fiercely independent and determined to dethrone the BJP this time, Solanki is a woman on a mission.
“My fight is for the rights of the common citizen. State government has turned a deaf ear to our demands. Entering politics is the only way out. I was forced to throw bangles at PM so that our voices could be heard,” added Solanki, who knows that her agitation might cost her life too as she is fighting against a corrupt system.
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A Personal Journey
For someone married into a conservative household where she was expected to be in ‘ghoonghat’, Solanki fought her way to earn a master’s degree. “I want to create an identity for myself so that my daughter can be proud of me,” shared Solanki who is now divorced and a single parent of a 17-year-old daughter studying in MS University.
Life indeed has come full circle for this primary school teacher from Kotali village in Sankheda taluka, Chhota Udepur. Suspended from her job, resigned by will, Solanki is carrying on with a fighter’s spirit.
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