Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Sanitation Workers’ Strike Deepens Garbage Crisis Across Madhya Pradesh Towns
Sanitation workers in three Madhya Pradesh towns stopped working because they want their demands addressed.
Without regular garbage collection, rubbish piled up in streets and public places.
In Badnawar, workers held a rally and sit-in after starting their strike.
In Sitamau, workers said they would stay away until their five demands were accepted.
Mandsaur residents also said stray dogs were causing problems, including attacks.
Officials said plans for dog vaccination and sterilisation had been put out for tender.
Local representatives said the workers’ demands had been sent to the government and asked them to return to work.
Sanitation workers in Mandsaur, Badnawar and Sitamau began strikes over demands submitted to local administrations.
In Mandsaur, workers had been away from duty for two days, and residents reported 80 to 100 tonnes of waste on streets.
Badnawar workers began an indefinite strike Monday, seeking job security, regularisation and other employment-related benefits.
Sitamau workers said they would not return until their five-point demand charter was accepted, disrupting garbage collection.
Mandsaur residents also reported stray-dog attacks; officials said tenders had been issued for dog vaccination and sterilisation.
- Who
- Sanitation workers in Mandsaur, Badnawar and Sitamau, including workers acting under the Valmiki Sena banner in Sitamau.
- What
- Workers launched strikes over employment and other demands, disrupting waste collection and worsening garbage accumulation.
- When
- The reports describe strikes underway for two days in Mandsaur and beginning Monday in Badnawar; no specific date is given.
- Where
- Mandsaur, Badnawar and Sitamau in Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Workers are seeking government action on demands including job security, regularisation and other employment-related benefits.
Workers’ position
Municipal representatives’ position
Whether to continue the strike
Workers’ position
Workers in Sitamau said they would not resume work until their demands were accepted; Badnawar workers also began an indefinite strike.
Municipal representatives’ position
Mandsaur municipal representatives said the demands had been forwarded to the government and workers had been asked to resume duty.
Employment demands
Workers’ position
Workers sought measures including job security, regularisation, ending outsourcing and financial or family support benefits.
Municipal representatives’ position
The reports say officials forwarded demands but do not give a detailed response to each request.
- Reported locations
- Mandsaur, Badnawar and Sitamau, Madhya Pradesh
- Mandsaur waste estimate
- Residents reported an estimated 80 to 100 tonnes of waste scattered across roads and streets.
- Mandsaur strike duration
- Workers had remained away from duty for two days at the time of the report.
- Badnawar demands
- Workers submitted eight demands, including job security, regularisation, ending outsourcing and retirement payment.
- Sitamau demands
- Workers submitted a five-point demand charter and said they would not resume work until demands were accepted.
- Mandsaur stray dogs
- The report said an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 stray dogs roam the city.
- Dog-bite treatment
- The district hospital reportedly receives 10 to 12 dog-bite patients daily for rabies injections.