After a two-day protest at Azad Maidan, thousands of Anganwadi workers and helpers, who had travelled to Mumbai from distant villages and towns in Maharashtra, are now returning, having secured only verbal assurances from state ministers. Additionally, the workers are receiving threats of losing their jobs if they do not return to work.

Since early December, Anganwadis across the state are closed as part of a strike by two lakh Anganwadi workers, impacting the health and nutrition of lakhs of children who depend on them. Even as their Azad Maidan protest has ended for the time being, the strike across the state will continue indefinitely until there are written assurances from the government.