KOTTAYAM: A woman conductor of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was the other day transferred for protesting wearing the badge that said ‘41st day of service without salary’. The conductor Akhila S Nair responded to the issue while the news went viral on social media. She said the protest was not to defame the government.

‘My family lives on this only income. If after 41 days that is even on the 11th, if the salary is not paid, to how many people we owe an answer. Can't pay my son’s school fees, can't settle the dues of the shop, loan dues etc.

Faced difficulty in many ways. Just wanted to express my protest or tension in some way. Didn’t want to cause difficulty to the company I work. I had not skipped duty or troubled the passengers. I did my duty properly wearing the badge at that time.

I never thought that it would go viral like this. I have not photographed or circulated anything. I don't even have a Facebook account. I staged my protest politely and calmly. I don’t have any fear. We all work to get paid to look after our family. I don’t have any other income. If the salary is not received on time, will face a lot of difficulties,’ she told a media.

Akhila was transferred from Vaikom depot to Pala. KSRTC’s stand is that her protest had defamed the government. Akhila worked wearing a badge protesting the non-payment of salary. Her picture was widely circulated on social media. The order said the investigation conducted by the KSRTC management has found that Akhila has committed a breach of discipline and is being transferred for administrative convenience.