Priyanka Gandhi Demands Strict Action After Bonded Labour Horror Unearthed in Muzaffarnagar

New Delhi, June 2026 : Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday strongly condemned the alleged bonded labour racket uncovered in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, calling it a grave violation of human dignity and constitutional values. Her remarks came after authorities rescued more than a dozen labourers who were reportedly being held captive and forced to work under inhuman conditions at a tote-bag manufacturing unit.

Taking to social media platform X, Priyanka described the incident as “heart-wrenching” and said such practices have no place in a civilised society. She expressed outrage over reports that labourers were allegedly confined for extended periods, deprived of basic freedoms, and subjected to physical abuse.

According to preliminary accounts from the rescued workers, they were lured to the factory with promises of stable employment and regular wages. Instead, they allegedly found themselves trapped in a system of exploitation where their documents and mobile phones were confiscated, cutting them off from contact with the outside world.

The labourers claimed they were locked inside the premises and forced to work for long hours while receiving little or no payment. Reports suggest they were provided meagre food, including dry rotis and even animal fodder. Some workers alleged they were beaten with whips and sharp objects, while others claimed they were subjected to severe forms of torture, including being attacked by dogs.

“This is not merely cruelty against a few individuals, but an assault on human dignity and on our Constitution,” Priyanka Gandhi said. She demanded strict legal action against those responsible and urged authorities to ensure that the punishment serves as a strong deterrent against similar crimes in the future.

The shocking case came to light after one of the workers reportedly managed to escape and alert authorities. Acting on the information, joint teams of police, district administration officials, and Labour Department representatives conducted a raid on the facility earlier this week.

A formal investigation has now been launched into allegations of bonded labour, illegal confinement, assault, and reports of deaths linked to the operation. Authorities have begun recording statements from the rescued workers and gathering evidence related to the case.

The labourers are believed to have been brought from various districts of Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and even neighbouring Nepal. Several suspects have reportedly been arrested following the raid, while investigators continue to probe the extent of the alleged exploitation network.

The incident has reignited concerns over labour rights and human trafficking, with political leaders and rights groups calling for stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent such abuses and protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.