Assault on human dignity: Rahul on atrocities against labourers in UP factory
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 that 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. 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.
