Prohibitory orders in Haryana’s Manesar ahead of temporary Maruti Suzuki workers’ demonstration

Deputy Commissioner of Police in Manesar imposes prohibitory orders ahead demonstration by temporary Maruti workers, sparking criticism from labour rights activists.

A day before the proposed demonstration by the temporary Maruti Suzuki workers, both currently working with the company or having worked earlier, in support of their demands at Manesar here, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders “to prevent any unlawful activity”. The police on Wednesday (January 29, 2025) also removed the dismissed Maruti workers staging demonstration at Industrial Model Township in Manesar for the past four months seeking reinstatement and supporting the temporary workers cause.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Manesar, Deepak Kumar told The Hindu over phone the demonstration by the temporary workers would not be allowed as it could disturb peace in the area. He said the dismissed Maruti workers holding protest were instigating people and luring them with a promise to get job in the Maruti company.

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar also appointed Naib Tehsildar Mahender Singh as duty magistrate in view of the call for demonstration.

Satish Kumar, one of the dismissed Maruti workers, said the police descended on the agitation site in large numbers around noon outnumbering the protestors and demolished the banners, placards and tents before packing the protesters in buses and leaving them at Farrukhnagar. He added that the protesters walking back to the demonstration site were again picked up and dropped at the bus stand. He, however, said they would go ahead with the tomorrow’s demonstration.

A large number of temporary Maruti workers are scheduled to organise a demonstration at Manesar under the banner of “Maruti Suzuki Asthai Majdoor Sangh” demanding permanent jobs, valid certificate of training, salary increase and “equal pay for equal work”.

Condemning the police action against the dismissed Maruti workers and imposition of prohibitory orders, Inqlabi Mazdoor Kendra central committee member Shyambir Shukla, said that peaceful demonstration was the democratic right of the workers, but the administration wanted to suppress their voice. This despite the fact that the Gurugram court had allowed them to hold peaceful protests at least 500 m away from the all gates and boundary wall of the company, he added.