Patna: Thousands of dismissed contract workers staged a protest outside the BJP office in Patna on Saturday, demanding equal pay for equal work and permanent employment until the age of 60. The workers, who have been on strike in Gardanibagh for more than 25 days, surrounded the office in large numbers, raising slogans against the government.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha arrived at the scene to try to persuade the protesters to disperse, but the workers remained firm on their demands. In response to the escalating situation, a heavy police presence was deployed to maintain order.
The protest disrupted the BJP office, where a scheduled meeting with party leadership had to be relocated to a nearby guest house. Since the strike began, approximately 8,000 contract workers have been dismissed, intensifying the unrest in the city.
Authorities have urged dialogue between the workers and government officials to prevent further escalation.
