In Meerut, weavers take to the streets to protest the increase in the electricity tariff

In Uttar Pradesh, weavers demonstrate against rising power prices that they claim will harm trade and millions of workers. With a statement of demands and a threat to march to Delhi if their requests are not met, they marched to the district magistrate’s office. The state government increased the monthly fees for smaller machines from INR65 to INR400 ($5.30) and for larger units from INR130 to INR800. The new regulation, according to the weavers, will destroy the industry and push them dangerously close to hunger.

On Monday, thousands of weavers demonstrated against the local increase in the cost of electricity under the auspices of the Bunkar Association.The weavers assembled in the Golakuan area, and after walking for almost five km in the sweltering heat, they arrived to the district magistrate’s office and delivered a statement outlining their requests.Additionally, the weavers carried signs that read, “Bunkaro ka utpeedan band karo (stop exploiting weavers),” and “bunkar barbadi ki or (weavers on the verge of destruction)”.

The state government’s decision, according to association leaders, will have an impact on the industry and millions of weavers. They claimed that if their demands were not met, weavers would resort to marching towards Delhi.