The Delhi Police supposedly detained a student of the National Law University, Delhi and a worker; who had assembled outside the campus, demanding to reinstate the safai karamcharis.
The Reason Behind The Protest
55 house-keeping staff, engaged under a contract with White Fox and Golden were terminated from service in December last year. The University entered into a contract with Rajendra Management Group; to hire about 30 new workers instead. Therefore, the students protested this termination; claiming it a violative of labour laws.
The Order by the Labour Ministry
The Labour Minister on June 17 instructed the university to reinstate terminated 55 safai karamcharis.ย The order stated that the University should directly deploy the staff and pay their salaries. The statement fromย NLUD Workers-Students Solidarity contained thatย the safai karamcharis and a student; using the Labour Ministryโs order; assembled outside the University campus to meet with the administration.
Initially, they remained at the University gate when they were not allowed to enter and meet with the administration; and maintained social distancing for about an hour before police officers arrived. After that, the gathering divided themselves into four groups after Sub Inspector Anuj Yadav’s arrival, with about 4-5 workers each to avoid an assembly of more than 5 people at one place. The police dealt with the groups roughly and the Sub Inspector started to intimidate them.
Moreover, the gathering made a request; to allow the entry of one student and one worker into the campus to meet the administration but they were denied.
Protesters Being Detained
After that, a worker began to record the happenings on her phone due to which the police forcefully took her into custody. The police alleged that she had instigated the workers to protest.
“The Police threatened to book them under Section 188 Indian Penal Code and Section 144, Code of Criminal Procedure. As they were recording their ordeal, their phones were taken away; and they were asked to submit them at the main gate of the Police Station.” – NLUD Workers-Students Solidarity Statement
In addition, two officers threatened the students regarding the matter.
“At the Police Station, Police Officials namely, Anuj Yadav and Mahavir Singh made a mockery of the Written Order and of the struggle. They said, ‘Students ko apne career ke baare mein sochna chahiye; ye sab kaam karne se pehle’. Thus, he hinted that the workers give up on the struggle; and the students stop supporting them in their endeavors;ย with veiled threats that they could be risking their future.” – NLUD Workers-Students Solidarity Statement
Finally, with the intervention of contacts with a body of lawyers, friends and activists; the police released the worker and the student. In conclusion, the police warned them that an FIR under Section 188 and 144 would be booked against them; if they were found near the University.
