Protest Disbanded; Worker-Student Unity Continues

On Saturday, 13th September, 2025 the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) organized an open meeting with the student body to communicate recent updates regarding the worker’s sit-in held over the past two weeks. Held at Gate 1, AUSG members, students, faculty and workers were present. 

Razeen Ayesh (UG ‘26) announced that the worker sit-in stands disbanded as of the current day, in light of recent developments following negotiations with the administration. Quess Facilities Manager Manish Khatri and supervisor Chetana have been removed from Ashoka University. Both individuals have faced numerous accusations of verbal harassment, including sexual harassment in Khatri’s case. As announced by Ayesh at the open meeting, this is a big win for workers as this has been one of their enduring demands. 

The process of unionization, previously discussed among workers and during the teach-in’s held last week, formally began on Friday, 12th September. The Ashoka University Mazdoor Ekta Sanghatan will be the first union at Ashoka, allowing for workers' demands to be addressed through its platform. This is an important step for worker unity, achieved during the nearly 17 day sit-in held by them.

The Workers Grievance Redressal Committee (WGRC), whose functioning was brought to light only because of student and worker pressure at the start of the strike, will now work to ensure fair worker representation. This has been a longstanding demand from both parties. The AUSG concluded by committing to continue holding the administration accountable for the WGRC’s full and active functioning through continued internal pressure. 

(Edited by Sahana Radhakrishnan and Giya Sood)