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Artist jailed after supporting Noida workers’ protest, friends say
Srishti Gupta is a young artist who worked with women and children in a Delhi neighborhood.
She taught art, literacy and school lessons, and helped organize community activities.
She also joined workers protesting for better wages in Noida.
Police arrested her and accused her of encouraging violence.
They filed 11 cases against her.
Gupta’s friends say she was peacefully helping workers and expressing concern for poor communities.
A court criticized police investigations in related cases, but Gupta remains in jail.
Supporters have held an art exhibition to tell people about her work and imprisonment.
Srishti Gupta, a 28-year-old artist, was detained on April 11 over alleged violence during a Noida workers’ protest.
Workers were demanding higher wages after many had received no revision since 2014.
Gupta faces 11 cases and remains jailed after securing bail in only some of them.
Friends and community members describe her as an artist and educator who supported women, children and working-class communities.
Police chargesheets call Gupta a key conspirator and allege that she incited workers, while supporters reject those claims.
- Who
- Srishti Gupta, a 28-year-old artist, along with other activists and Noida industrial workers.
- What
- Gupta was arrested and charged in connection with a workers’ protest; she faces 11 cases and remains jailed in two cases where bail has not been secured.
- Where
- The protest took place in Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Gupta worked in Shahbad Dairy in North Delhi.
- When
- She was detained on April 11; the related court criticism occurred on September 1, and the exhibition was held on September 6.
- Why
- Police allege that Gupta helped incite workers and was a key conspirator, while her friends say she joined the protest in solidarity with workers seeking higher wages.
Supporters and community members
Police allegations
Reason for Gupta’s participation
Supporters and community members
Friends say Gupta joined the Noida protest out of solidarity with workers and as part of her broader community and activist work.
Police allegations
Police chargesheets allege that Gupta made posters and paintings for protests and incited workers.
Nature of her political activity
Supporters and community members
Supporters describe Gupta as an artist focused on working-class communities, education and ethical social engagement rather than party politics.
Police allegations
Police have linked her to several Leftist organizations and characterized her ideology as Maoism, citing books related to revolution.
Investigation conduct
Supporters and community members
Activists have released videos alleging that police tried to plant evidence at Gupta’s home after her arrest.
Police allegations
Police deny the allegation and say the search was conducted in compliance with a court order.
Key facts
- Age
- 28
- Detention date
- April 11
- Cases filed
- 11 cases connected to the workers’ protest
- Workers’ demand
- Higher wages, which many workers said had not been revised since 2014
- Community work
- Literacy, art and school-support classes for women and children in Shahbad Dairy
- Court action
- On September 1, the Allahabad High Court criticized authorities investigating related protest cases
- Police allegation
- Chargesheets describe Gupta as a key conspirator who helped make protest materials and incite workers
Quotes
Shuddhabrata Sengupta
Delhi-based artist who has known Gupta for years and visited her in jail
“She did not romanticise their landscape. Her approach was very sensitive. To this day, I get calls from those villagers asking me if Srishti is doing alright and when she will be released from prison.”
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“Her [Srishti’s] crime is empathy. She was concerned about the lives of working-class people and their children. That is what has been criminalised.”
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Uttar Pradesh Police
Police investigators quoted in a chargesheet against Gupta
“Her main responsibility was to make posters and paintings for protests and incite workers.”
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Sources
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