Bathinda, 30 July 2026:- Regarding the issue of lathi charge on employees, today the Punjab Bandh call given by sanitation workers got a mixed response in Bathinda today. But in many towns and cities of the district, reports are of overwhelming and in some partial response to the bandh. This bandh of sanitation workers was supported by Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal besides other political parties as well as Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), labour organizations and employees unions. During the bandh called on the call of Balmiki Samaj and various social organizations, shops remained closed in those markets of Bathinda through which the protest march of sanitation workers had to pass.
Business establishments at other places in the city were seen open as usual. This bandh call was from 9 am to 2 pm and after the end of bandh shops opened as usual. During this, schools, colleges, medical services and other essential services continued as usual. Sanitation workers are demanding early fulfillment of their long pending demands. Their main demands include regularizing raw employees who have completed 3 years of service. Apart from this, demand was also made to register a case against police officers who lathi-charged and beat up protesting sanitation workers.
Due to political atmosphere heating up after lathi charge on sanitation workers by Barnala Police on 22nd July, the mood of the parties getting the bandh done also remained sharp. Protesters took out protest march in various markets of Bathinda and raised strong slogans against the government and burnt the effigy of DSP. On this occasion, talking to media, leaders of sanitation workers Veer Bhan and Vicky described the lathi charge in Barnala as unfortunate and condemnable. They said that sanitation workers clean the city at around 5 am and even in difficult times like Coronavirus pandemic, they risk their lives to keep it clean.
They said that lathi charge against such hardworking workers is not justified in any case. Labourers described the attitude of the state government, especially the behaviour of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as disappointing. They said that despite major protests in the history of Punjab, the Chief Minister has not yet responded with any sensitivity on this issue, due to which there is widespread public anger. They clarified that their fight is not against any political party, but for the dignity and rights of sanitation workers. Leaders warned that until the government gives them permanent employment, they will intensify the struggle in the coming days.