Lucknow: A storm is brewing in Uttar Pradesh, not in the sky but in the streets. Tens of thousands of power sector employees, engineers, and trade unions flooded the gates of Shakti Bhawan in Lucknow on Tuesday, protesting against the Yogi-led BJP government's push for electricity privatization. The massive demonstration, called by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers, was echoed in every district, involving over one lakh workers statewide and 27 lakh nationwide.
Their demand: withdraw the privatization plan that threatens affordable electricity, job security, and public interest.
“This isn’t reform, it’s loot in the name of policy,” thundered Jitendra Singh Gurjar, leader of the engineer’s association. “From ₹6.50/unit to ₹13/unit, this is what privatization will do to common households. Farmers will lose free power. 26,000 government jobs gone. 50,000 contract workers fired.”
The protest wasn’t alone. The Bharatiya Kisan Union, backed by national farmer leader Kamlesh Yadav, joined forces. “Yogi has already sold airports, buses, now he's eyeing electricity. The BJP is selling off India’s assets, and we won’t let it happen.”
In response, UPPCL Chairman Ashish Goyal issued threats, disruption of supply will lead to immediate dismissal. But protesters remain undeterred, calling this “government-sponsored intimidation.”
Trade unions from railways, banks, BSNL, insurance, and postal departments have backed the strike. The joint front demands a halt to privatization, repeal of anti labour codes, and fair wages.
As public sector services come under the hammer and dissent is silenced with threats, Yogi’s ‘bulldozer model’ faces its toughest resistance from the workers who keep the state running.
