HighLights
  1. Surat workers return home for Diwali, Chhath Puja
  2. .Exodus linked to festive travel, 'Gao Chalo Andolan'.
  3. Authorities implement crowd control at Surat railway stations.

Ahead of upcoming festivities, hundreds of workers from UP and Bihar are returning to their hometowns from Surat, the diamond city of Gujarat. Surat and Udhna railway stations are experiencing heavy crowds as passengers travel for Diwali and Chhath Puja, prompting authorities to implement crowd control measures to prevent chaos and stampedes. While several reports link this exodus to the "Gao Chalo Andolan" over unresolved labour issues, there has been no official confirmation.

Surveillance Tightened To Ensure Ease At Crowded Areas

To ease the situation, officials in a meeting decided to address crowd control and security arrangements. The meeting was attended by the Surat District Collector, DCP, SDM, GRP DySP, SITCO CEO, Surat Station Director, and relevant department supervisors, Gujrati Jagran reported.

Police, RPF, and GRP personnel have been deployed at sensitive and crowded areas of the station to ensure the safe and smooth movement of passengers. Continuous monitoring is being conducted from the control room via 24-hour CCTV surveillance to enable an immediate response to any emergency situation. Additionally, the availability of drinking water, fans, and other basic amenities for passengers has been ensured.

What did the workers say?

Workers normally begin travelling home about a week before Diwali, howver this time the exodus occured much before the usual . According to a ground report by the Gujarat first, several workers claimed they were travelling home for Diwali and Chhath Puja rather than for a protest against employers.

This provides an important qualification to claims that workers are being driven out of Gujarat. Some departures may be linked to the labour dispute, while others may be entirely routine festive travel.

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What’s the Gao Chalo Andolan?

Gao Chalo Andolan stems from a prolonged disagreement between workers and employers in Surat’s textile and embroidery industry. The campaign gained much attention in the beginning of October, when the protest was called off after assurances. A labour department directive focusing on labour code compliances was also shown.

Workers revealed that they were initially assured that their demands for a Sunday holiday would be considered. However, the matter worsened as some workers had also lost their jobs or had outstanding wages after raising concerns about leave. Another migrant worker from Prayagraj asserted that his salary was deducted when he asked for a leave. Similar cases were witnessed by many other workers in Surat.

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Labour representative Ajay Dubey advised workers not to return for at least two months if demands remain unaddressed, urge them to submit complaints, avoid Sunday work, and switch to compliant establishments. The Gao Chalo Andolan is allegedly pressurising employers to accept worker demands. While gaining support, some workers express uncertainty about its goals.

While the 'Gao Chalo Andolan' has undoubtedly highlighted ongoing labour disputes and wage grievances within Surat’s textile industry, the current surge in passenger movement at local railway stations are primarily driven by the upcoming festival season. Worker testimonies and ground reports indicate that while industrial unrest persists in the background, the immediate cause for the heavy rush is the routine travel for Diwali and Chhath Puja. As authorities manage the festive crowds, the long-term impact of the labour movement will become clearer once the celebrations conclude and the industry sees how many workers return.

 


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