Political war erupts over Noida unrest
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over the violent workers’ protest in Noida, accusing the administration of mishandling the situation and unfairly targeting labourers.
In a strongly worded post on X, Yadav questioned the government’s claim that the protest could be part of a conspiracy. He raised concerns about the role of intelligence agencies, asking whether authorities were unaware of the developments or deliberately ignoring the situation.
‘Don’t defame workers, address their issues’
He further said that rising inflation, alleged corruption, and lack of relief measures have worsened the condition of ordinary families. Urging the government to focus on solutions, Yadav warned that failure to manage the situation effectively could lead to public backlash and political consequences.
Protest turns violent in Noida Phase 2
The remarks came after a workers’ protest in Noida’s Phase 2 industrial area turned violent earlier in the day. Demonstrators demanding higher wages and better working conditions reportedly torched a car, vandalised vehicles and property, and engaged in stone-pelting, creating chaos in the region.
Police personnel were rushed to the spot, and heavy security deployment was made to control the situation. Authorities used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order, while tensions continue to remain high.
Workers list key demands amid unrest
Workers involved in the protest claimed that they earn less than ₹15,000 per month despite working up to 12 hours daily. They have demanded implementation of an eight-hour workday, timely salary payments, overtime compensation, weekly offs, bonus payments, and proper grievance redressal mechanisms.
Reports suggest that a recent 35% minimum wage hike in neighbouring Haryana has encouraged workers in Noida to push for similar benefits.
Situation under watch
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as unrest simmers in the industrial hub. The developments have now taken a political turn, with opposition leaders intensifying pressure on the state government over labour conditions and law-and-order management.
Why did Akhilesh Yadav criticise the UP government?
He criticised the government for mishandling the Noida workers’ protest and blaming workers instead of addressing their issues.
What happened during the Noida protest?
The protest turned violent with incidents of stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson, prompting police action.
What are the workers demanding?
Workers are demanding higher wages, an eight-hour workday, overtime pay, weekly offs, and timely salaries.
How did the government respond?
Police deployed heavy force and used tear gas to control the situation, while authorities continue to monitor tensions.
