Noida Protest News Highlights: Yogi Adityanath govt forms high-powered panel to address unrest, ‘vested interests’

As per ANI, reacting to the protest incidents, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav told reporters, "Injustice has reached its peak under the BJP government. All kinds of injustice are happening. Injustice is happening economically. Injustice is being inflicted by increasing inflation. Injustice is being done by rising unemployment. What we saw today in Noida--workers have been demanding their rights on a large scale."

The District Magistrate of Noida, Medha Roopam, on Sunday, conducted a meeting with Principal Secretary (Labour) and Labour Commissioner of the state to discuss protection of workers' interests, double payment for overtime, bonus, and workplace safety.

"An important meeting was held in the Noida Authority to maintain industrial peace, in which the Principal Secretary (Labour) and Labour Commissioner, UP, participated virtually and discussed topics including the protection of workers' interests, double payment for overtime, bonus, weekly holidays, and workplace safety," the DM wrote on X.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday questioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his remarks suggesting the Noida workers’ protest was part of a conspiracy, and said he should resign if he is unable to handle the situation.

Taking to social media, Yadav criticised the state government and asked whether the intelligence system had failed if the agitation was indeed the result of a larger conspiracy.

"If the honourable chief minister is calling the Noida workers' movement a conspiracy by someone, then the public has one question for you: if this is true, was your intelligence police accompanying you to campaign in Bengal, or was it engrossed in 'vanaspati' research (a sarcastic reference to intoxicants), or under its influence?" Yadav posted on X.

"Before tarnishing the workers' movement with allegations of Naxalism, you should first explain what you've done that has led to such conditions in the last 10 years. If you can't apply balm to the workers' wounds, then don't, but at least don't sprinkle salt on those wounds," he said.

"This could make an already bad situation even worse. If you can't manage the state, then step down from this seat with dignity; otherwise, the public will throw you out," Yadav posted in Hindi.

A woman protester informed ANI, “I work at Motherson. They are paying us less salary. We want more. When we staged a sit-in protest, they beat us up with no fault of ours. Cylinders, vegetables and everything are expensive.”

She added, “I was hit in my legs. I demand that we be paid ₹20,000 as salary. Only then can we sustain ourselves; otherwise, the protest will continue."

Delhi Police officials mentioned the force is on alert.

According to police, various teams have been mobiliesed at all motorable roads connecting Noida to different parts of Delhi, particularly at major border points with Uttar Pradesh, to prevent any spillover of the unrest.

"Delhi Police is fully alert and vigilant. Adequate force has been deployed at all strategic locations. No one will be allowed to breach law and order," a senior police officer said, as per PTI.

As per ANI, reacting to the protest incidents, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav told reporters, "Injustice has reached its peak under the BJP government. All kinds of injustice are happening. Injustice is happening economically. Injustice is being inflicted by increasing inflation. Injustice is being done by rising unemployment. What we saw today in Noida--workers have been demanding their rights on a large scale."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said he stands firmly with workers and urged them to remember how the “double-engine” government supported them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His remarks came amid violent protests by factory workers in Noida over demands for a wage hike.

He also asked them to "be wary of those who incite unrest, do not let them succeed".

"An identity crisis loomed over us all. Today, however, that crisis of identity no longer exists," he said, as per PTI.

"And for this very reason, I would like to urge you to be wary of those who seek to spread industrial unrest. I also appeal to all entrepreneurs (and industrialists) in this regard that they should engage in direct dialogue with their workers and personnel," the chief minister said.

He said the government firmly stands with workers and will ensure security for entrepreneurs while also safeguarding the rights and safety of every worker.

"The committee will submit its recommendations on priority," the order said, reported PTI.

The officials mentioned that a thorough investiogation will be take place into any attempts by "vested interests" or political motives to disturb the atmosphere.

"Anarchy will not be allowed in Uttar Pradesh and appropriate solutions to the problems will be worked out," they added.

A social media user appealed to authorities, claiming that his factory in Sector 63, Noida, had been attacked by protesters. The user claimed that glasses were smashed and the premises were being vandalised, adding that similar incidents were taking place across multiple factories. The post also said employees were frightened.

Security across the national capital was tightened on Monday after a workers’ protest in neighbouring Noida escalated into violence, prompting Delhi Police to mount a high alert along key border entry points. Authorities moved swiftly to prevent any spillover into Delhi following clashes, vandalism and arson reported from industrial zones in Uttar Pradesh.

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UP govt on Monday constituted high-powered panel to address Noida unrest, "vested interests", officials said, according to PTI.

"This is a broader labour issue affecting multiple industries in Noida and some other cities, driven by misinformation being spread about wage revisions," Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd (MSWIL) said in a regulatory filing.

The company added, "Our operations remain compliant with all applicable laws with no material impact on the company."

Auto components manufacturer Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd on Monday said its operations remain fully compliant with all applicable laws and have not been materially impacted, despite worker demonstrations across multiple industries at various locations in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

“What we saw today in Noida—workers have been demanding their rights on a large scale. The entire responsibility lies with the administration and the government… When workers’ salaries were increased in other states, why hasn’t the government provided relief in Uttar Pradesh?” Akhilesh Yadav told the media, according to News18.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday said it isfiling FIRs against two social media handles for allegedly spreading rumours in connection with the recent factory workers' demonstartion in Noida.

“Inspired and instigated by workers from other states, demonstrations have been held at several places in Noida. In response to a violent demonstration at just one location, the police have used minimum force to control the situation. The police have not resorted to firing anywhere. Legal action is being taken against those spreading false and misleading information and inciting individuals. Do not spread rumors or misleading information,” said UP Police on X.

Many women workers, speaking to Hindi Khabar, said their protest is aimed at securing better wages. “We should be earning ₹20,000 for 8 hours of work. Instead, some company gives an increment of ₹280, or some other gives ₹300 as raise,” one woman told the news channel. “In the meantime, our house rent increases by ₹500.”

One of them, Manju Devi, shared that she works 12 hours a day but earns only ₹13,000 per month. “Our salary is very low. I earn ₹13,000 [a month]. And I work 12 hours a day,” she said. “How can I raise four children on this salary? How can I feed and educate them?” she questioned.

Commuters had a difficult start to the week on Monday as a huge traffic jam nearly halted movement at the Delhi–Noida border due to a labour union protest demanding a wage hike, as per PTI.

The demonstration, which began early in the morning, caused heavy congestion on major routes linking Delhi and Noida, including NH-9, severely affecting the peak office rush. Vehicles were lined up for several kilometres, leaving many commuters stuck on the roads for hours.