During arguments, the judge questioned how the petitioner could seek permission for an “indefinite” protest.
Published Aug 26, 2025 | 3:02 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 26, 2025 | 3:02 PM
Sanitation workers protest Chennai.
The Greater Chennai City Police on Monday, 25 August, opposed a plea by Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI) seeking permission for Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) conservancy workers to stage an indefinite protest near Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, against the outsourcing of conservancy work in Zones V (Royapuram) and VI (Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar).
Appearing before Justice N. Sathish Kumar, Additional Advocate General (AAG) J. Ravindran argued that Justice K. Surender of the High Court had already dismissed UUI’s challenge to the GCC resolutions on outsourcing.
He said the organisation could only file an appeal, not hold protests on the streets. The AAG also sought time to file a detailed counter-affidavit, which the court accepted, adjourning the hearing to Thursday, 28 August.
During arguments, the judge questioned how the petitioner could seek permission for an “indefinite” protest.
Representing UUI treasurer R. Mohan, advocate B. Mohan stressed that the issue concerned the livelihood of conservancy workers, many of whom had served the corporation for over a decade as temporary staff and were frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that outsourcing would deny them the chance to secure permanent employment.
