The growing discontent among laborers in Surat, the mass exodus, and the ‘back to the village’ campaign have cast a shadow of doubt over the ‘Gujarat model’ of development championed by Modi and Shah.
श्रमिक असंतोष पहुंचा मोदी-शाह के गुजरात तक, शोषण से तंग 10 लाख मजदूरों का सूरत से पलायन, लाठीचार्ज और गिरफ्तारियां
In Surat—a hub for the textile and diamond industries in Gujarat—a crackdown by the state police on workers demanding wage hikes and weekly holidays has further fueled labor unrest in one of India’s largest textile centers. Consequently, a mass exodus of migrant workers from Surat has begun, just ahead of the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals.
According to reports, workers employed in embroidery units were taken into custody last week after they staged a protest outside the Surat Collector’s office to press for their demands. The police, however, maintain that the workers had not obtained prior permission for the demonstration.
The New Indian Express was among the first to report on these detentions, sharing videos that show police personnel using batons (lathi-charge) against the workers while taking them into custody.
The police action has intensified the workers’ anger, further swelling the ranks of those already leaving for their home states.
This ongoing exodus has alarmed business owners in the textile sector, as a labor shortage during the festive season—a period that typically sees a sharp surge in demand—is bound to hinder their ability to meet market requirements. Meanwhile, a report by BBC Hindi claims that approximately one million (10 lakh) workers have already left Surat.
This labor unrest has shed light on the working conditions of migrant laborers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, while also raising questions about the ‘Gujarat Model’ of industrial development.
It is worth noting that Surat is often referred to as the ‘Manchester of India’ due to its prominent textile industry. A significant portion of the city’s business relies heavily on migrant workers who have arrived from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and others. Common grievances among workers primarily relate to 12-hour shifts, the denial of weekly holidays, wage deductions, and termination for requesting leave. Protests over these issues, which began on August 15th, intensified during the final week of Navratri—a period that has also seen the ‘Gaon Chalo Abhiyan’ (Return to Village Campaign) gain momentum. According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, textile factory owners have dismissed 250 to 300 workers who requested weekly holidays, a move that has accelerated the exodus of laborers.
Reports indicate that many workers are returning to their hometowns ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja. It is alleged that employers are either refusing to grant leave or threatening to deduct wages if workers take time off. Ajay, a young worker returning to his hometown, told Dainik Bhaskar that his employer denied his leave request and explicitly stated that his wages would be docked if he chose to take leave.
For the workers, the conflict extends beyond the issue of leave. They have reported being subjected to excessively long working hours, the withholding of wages, and pressure to work continuously throughout the month—all of which have caused them significant financial and mental distress.
Labor unions have stepped in to assist those returning to their villages. They have accused factory owners of harassing workers and terminating their employment out of a sense of vendetta. According to Dainik Bhaskar, labor union representative Ajay D. Dubey stated that a large number of workers are heading back to their villages as part of the ‘Gaon Chalo’ campaign. Dubey alleged that since the start of this campaign, employers have been harassing workers and firing them. He further noted that the union possesses several videos documenting such incidents. Meanwhile, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh visited Surat on October 9 and appealed to both workers and employers to resolve their disputes through mutual agreement. Stating that “employers and workers are two sides of the same coin,” he urged both parties to settle their differences “like a family.” However, his appeal had no impact on alleviating the discontent.
The large-scale exodus of workers from Surat highlights the growing resentment among embroidery workers. With the festive season reaching its peak, this could have a significant impact on production and supply chains.
In light of this mounting unrest, the Congress party has questioned the BJP’s ‘Gujarat Model.’ Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Nasir Hussain remarked, “This is the BJP’s ‘Gujarat Model’: exploiting laborers, crushing dissent, and protecting the wealthy at the expense of those who drive the economy.”
According to observers of the situation in Gujarat, this crisis calls into question the very foundation of Surat’s status as a major textile hub—especially when basic demands from workers, such as fair wages and leave, remain unmet. Furthermore, it exposes the reality of the ‘Gujarat Model’ championed by Modi, which emphasizes individual growth while completely disregarding the concerns and well-being of the workforce.
Follow Us on… 
+