Mangaluru: JCTU holds ‘Jail Bharo’ protest demanding workers’ rights; protesters detained

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 11, 2026: The Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU) organised a ‘Jail Bharo’ protest in Mangaluru, demanding strict implementation of statutory minimum wages for workers, an immediate halt to forced land acquisition and an end to the allocation of agricultural land to corporate companies.

The protesters also demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, fair prices for farmers’ produce and adequate minimum wages for workers.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) leader Sunil Kumar Bajal alleged that the BJP government had adversely affected the livelihoods of rural people. He accused corporate organisations of controlling the country’s and the state’s resources and said the interests of farmers and daily-wage workers should be prioritised over those of capitalists.

“We will continue our struggle to free workers from exploitation. In the coming days, the movement will also be taken up in Delhi to raise our voice for the rights of farmers, agricultural labourers and workers,” he said.

Bajal further alleged that the Union government was retaining a major share of tax collections and failing to provide states with their adequate share, resulting in insufficient funds for the state.

He also claimed that reduced MGNREGA funding was affecting employment opportunities for people in rural areas. He said the protest was part of the broader struggle against what he termed pro-capitalist policies of the Union government.

The protesters staged a demonstration in front of the Mangaluru Mini Vidhana Soudha and attempted to block the road. Police detained the protesters as they tried to proceed with the road blockade.