Samik faces mill workers’ ire on way to BJP’s football event
Times of India | 12 September 2025
Howrah: Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday faced protests from workers of the Centre-owned Arati Cotton Mill in Howrah's Dasnagar, when he went at a ground adjacent to the factory to inaugurate state BJP's football tournament — Narendra Cup.
Complaining that they haven't received their payments for eight months, workers demonstrated in front of Bhattacharya's car. A large police force had to be deployed to manage the situation.
"I have personally raised the issue of Arati Cotton Mill in Parliament. I have spoken to Union textile minister Giriraj Singh. The problem will be resolved as soon as possible. Modernisation of the factory is necessary," Bhattacharya said.
As Bhattacharya faced demonstrations, local MLA and state minister Manoj Tiwari went to the spot to meet him. Tiwari said, "We have no objection to the game, but we want the salaries at the cotton mill to be prioritised."
Local TMC functionary Subashis Pal alleged that the mill's workers and employees have been struggling to fill their plates. Repeated appeals to the Centre have been made to no avail, he said.