New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday termed the atrocities against labourers in a factory in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh as an “assault on human dignity” and sought justice for them and harshest possible punishment to the perpetrators.
Twelve bonded labourers, including minors, bearing visible torture marks and injuries on their bodies were rescued on Monday from a paper plate manufacturing factory in Mandi village in Muzaffarnagar district following a raid conducted by the police.
In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said when jobs dry up and safeguards like MGNREGA and labour laws for the vulnerable are weakened, then desperation only mounts.
“The case of bonded labour among workers in Muzaffarnagar is utterly
shocking.
“In addition to forcing them to work without wages, the workers were bitten by dogs, stabbed with spears, whipped, and fed animal fodder. This is an assault on human dignity — victims must receive justice along with rehabilitation, and the perpetrators the harshest possible punishment,” Gandhi said.
“This is no ordinary criminal incident – it is the rubble of a crumbling economy,” he said X.
At the same time, he said, one must also ask why workers end up trapped in such dangerous situations due to dire compulsions.
“When jobs dry up, incomes stall, and safeguards like MGNREGA and labour laws meant for the most vulnerable sections are weakened, desperation only mounts. Those with no other options or protections become easy prey to such exploitation,” he said.
During raids by the authorities, the labourers were allegedly kept in inhuman conditions and were not paid the promised monthly wages, officials said on Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjay Kumar had said a team led by Executive Magistrate Radhey Shyam Gaur raided the factory in Mandi village under Titawi police station limits after receiving a tip-off.
During the operation, 12 bonded labourers, including minors, were freed from the factory premises, the SSP said.
The police have registered a case against factory owner Ankit Balyan, Pradeep Balyan and Shiva Tyagi under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Pradeep Balyan and Shiva Tyagi have been arrested, while factory owner Ankit Balyan is absconding, the police said.
During interrogation, it emerged that the labourers had been brought from different states on the promise of being paid Rs 12,000 per month, the officials said. However, they were allegedly not paid wages and were only provided food while being forced to work at the factory, the police said. PTI SKC SKC KVK KVK
