The state wide ‘Maha Hartal’ by Punjab government employees intensified on Thursday as thousands of workers pressed the AAP-led state government to address their long-pending demands, including the release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
The situation escalated in Jalandhar after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cancelled a scheduled meeting with representatives of protesting employee unions. A 16-member delegation of the unions had reached the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex for talks with the Chief Minister, with discussions expected to begin around 1 pm.
However, shortly before the meeting, Mann said in a post on X that a strike and negotiations could not continue simultaneously. He said the protesting employees were part of the government’s “family”, but talks could take place only after the strike was called off.
The statement triggered a sharp reaction from union leaders. Navpreet Singh, president of the Government Teachers’ Employees Union, announced that employees would block BMC Chowk indefinitely until the Chief Minister agreed to hear their representatives.
As employees gathered and raised anti-government slogans, police moved to contain the situation. Mann was subsequently moved from PAP Chowk to his residence in Old Baradari, avoiding a direct confrontation with the protesters. Phones of several union leaders, including Joint Action Committee convener Gurnam Singh Virk, were reportedly confiscated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Manpreet Dhillon said the Chief Minister had conveyed that the talks had been deferred until next week. The employee representatives, however, remained at the PAP complex and refused to negotiate with Finance Minister Harpal Cheema or Finance Secretary.
The strike has already disrupted work in several government departments, while outpatient department (OPD) services at hospitals have also been affected.
More than 150 employee organisations under the banner of Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch are participating in the agitation. With around 7.5 lakh employees and pensioners involved, the protest could have significant political implications for the AAP government ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, potentially influencing nearly 38 lakh voters when their families are taken into account.
