On 25 March 2015, Nearly 1000 workers and activists belonging to different unions (Wazirpur hot rolling steel industry, Delhi Metro Railways Corporation, Karawal Nagar almond workers, sanitary workers of Dr. Hedgevar and Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospitals and several unorganized workers from Khajuri) had gathered outside the Delhi Secretariat to meet the Labour Minister in order to present a memorandum of demands. Several university students had also joined the demonstration. The demonstration was held under the banner of 'Wada Na Todo Abhiyan' (Don't Go Back On Your Promises Campaign) to remind the Arvind Kejriwal led state government in Delhi of its promises to regularise contract workers, provide housing for the slum dwellers, open 20 new colleges among other things.

The demonstration peacefully waited for several hours but no government representative met them. Instead, they were attacked by the police who used several rounds of tear gas and lathi-charge against them. While the lathi-charge was indiscriminate and brutal, certain activists and workers, including female activists, were particularly targeted and attacked by male policemen. The head injuries sustained by at least two shows that the aim of the police was not to disperse but to attack. 5 workers/activists have sustained injuries including one who has had a fracture. 17 activists including 4 women have been arrested on charges of rioting and for participating in an unlawful assembly with common object and obstructing public officials from discharging duty (s. 186, 353, 147, 148, 149, IPC). The arrested persons have been detained in Indraprastha Estate Police Station. 

This is the second attack carried out by Delhi Police in less than a month's time. On 3rd March 2015, hundreds of contract workers who had demonstrated outside the Secretariat, under the banner of Delhi Metro Rail Contract Workers Union, were brutally lathicharged and several were seriously injured. The Labour Minster was forced to meet a delegation then as the workers refused to disperse. However, unlike then, this time not only did the Government not meet any of the protesters, the police has also arrested some of the prominent faces within the demonstration. Quite clearly, yesterday’s attack was premeditated and was meant to intimidate the workers from protesting any further. 

By using the old strategy of charging protesters with lawlessness—by attacking, detaining and forcing them to face criminal charges—the Government has deliberately turned a peaceful workers’ demonstration into law and order problem and encouraged the police to attack protesters and arrest them. It is shocking to note that a Chief Minister, who is a believer in the right to protest and dissent, has such animosity towards legitimate protests against his Government.  

We strongly condemn the police actions and demands an immediate and unconditional release of all 17 persons. We also demand action against male policemen who targeted women activists and attacked them.