Lathi Charge on Sanitation Workers in Barnala is Inhumane; AAP Government's Anti-Labour Face Exposed: Dhaliwal

Chandigarh, July 23, 2026: Former IAS officer and MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal strongly condemned the police lathi charge on sanitation workers who were staging a peaceful protest in Barnala to press for their demands. He said the incident is yet another example of the Aam Aadmi Party government's anti-labour mindset and authoritarian approach, exposing the true face of the government.
Dhaliwal demanded a high-level and impartial inquiry into the Barnala incident and called for strict action against the officials responsible for ordering the lathi charge. He also urged the government to ensure immediate and proper medical treatment for the injured employees and to begin talks with the sanitation workers' unions without any delay to address their legitimate demands.
He said it is deeply unfortunate that the very sanitation workers who shoulder the responsibility of keeping cities and towns clean are being forced to take to the streets and face police batons merely to secure their rightful demands. He added that in a democratic system, every citizen has the right to voice their concerns, but in Punjab, those raising their voices are being met with police action instead of dialogue.
Expressing serious concern over reports that women sanitation workers were injured during the lathi charge, Dhaliwal said that the use of force against women in such a manner is unacceptable in any civilized society. He said the government must answer for this incident.
Dhaliwal further said that before coming to power, the Aam Aadmi Party had made grand promises of protecting the interests of ordinary people, employees, and workers. However, today unemployed youth, contractual employees, MGNREGA workers, farmers, and now sanitation workers have all become victims of the government's repressive policies. This clearly shows that the government believes in ruling through fear and police force rather than dialogue. He said the government should resolve employees' issues through discussions and negotiations.
He added that the Congress Party has always stood firmly with workers, employees, and the labouring class in their struggle for rights and will continue to raise its voice with full strength for their dignity, rights, and justice in the future.