Jaipur: A statewide strike by Valmiki sanitation workers disrupted waste collection across Rajasthan Saturday, with its impact visible on the first day itself. In Jaipur, protesting workers stopped a tractor carrying garbage and emptied its contents on the road at Badi Chaupar, expressing their anger over pending demands and delay in recruitment process.Garbage piled up across several parts of the city as sanitation work halted. Protesters also scattered waste on roads at Choti Chaupar, Johari Bazaar, Raja Park and other prominent markets in the Walled City, laying down their brooms in symbolic protest.
Garbage dumped by protesting sanitary workers at Chhoti Choupar in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 27 June 2026
Nandkishore Dandoriya, president of the Sayukt Valmiki Evam Safayi Shramik Sangh, said, “We staged a protest in the Walled City this morning. In the evening, our workers visited their respective wards and asked Valmiki sanitation workers not to resume work. From Sunday, we will also hold demonstrations in Kishangarh and Ajmer to strengthen the boycott.”Another sanitation worker, Suresh Damboriya, said, “We gave the govt and the administration one month, then another seven days, and finally a 24-hour ultimatum. Our concerns were ignored. We have no option but to boycott work. The protest will continue till our demands are met and the Valmiki community receives its rightful due.”The unions are demanding that families traditionally engaged in sanitation work be given priority in the recruitment process. They have also sought appointments for eligible candidates involved in previous recruitment-related court cases, preference for those already working as sanitation workers, implementation of recruitment as agreed with the unions, an end to the contract and outsourcing system, regular payment from municipal funds, a three-times lottery system during recruitment, and permanent employment after two years of service.Responding to the protest, Directorate of Local Bodies director Juikar Pratik Chandrashekhar said, “Multiple talks have been held with the representatives. The recruitment process is being finalised.”On the department’s plan to end the strike, Juikar added, “We will continue to engage with the representatives. The recruitment process has already been initiated.”However, the agitation has not received unanimous support within the sanitation workers’ community. Sanitation workers’ election candidate Pawan Choudhary opposed the work boycott, saying, “We strongly oppose the decision to boycott work. We will work with the municipal administration to ensure sanitation services continue. At the same time, the Rajasthan govt should complete the recruitment process through constitutional means without further delay.”
