Bharatiya Kisan Union staged a sit‑in at Surajpur district headquarters demanding the immediate release of JIMS staff, withdrawal of cases and a high‑level probe into Director Brigadier Rakesh Gupta’s conduct.
The farmer union organized a demonstration in Surajpur on Monday, pressing for the unconditional release of arrested JIMS employees. They also called for a swift investigation into alleged irregularities by the institute’s director.
Bharatiya Kisan Union, JIMS, Surajpur protest, staff arrests, Brigadier Rakesh Gupta, police action, labour rights, Greater Noida
On Monday, 29 June 2026, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (B.K.U.) staged a sit‑in at the district headquarters in Surajpur to protest the police arrest of several employees of the Rajkiya Ayurvedik Sansthan (JIMS) in Greater Noida. The union’s leadership accused the institute’s director, Brigadier Rakesh Gupta, of misconduct and demanded both his suspension and a high‑level investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The demonstration was led by B.K.U. leader Robin Nagar. In a written memorandum addressed to the district magistrate, the union listed four primary demands: (1) the unconditional and immediate release of all arrested JIMS staff, (2) withdrawal of all pending cases filed against them, (3) speedy resolution of the employees’ legitimate grievances, and (4) a thorough, senior‑level inquiry into the director’s alleged malpractices.
According to the union’s national general secretary and spokesperson, Pawan Khatana, the JIMS staff had been conducting a peaceful, constitutional sit‑in for several days before police intervened. He claimed that police forces arrived at the protest site at night, used lathis on the demonstrators, and forcibly detained a number of workers, including women. Khatana further alleged that the whereabouts of the detained staff were not communicated to their families or colleagues, raising serious concerns about due process.
District Collector Rajiv Malik, speaking at the protest, criticized the police administration of Gautam Budh Nagar for what he described as an “unruly” approach for the past two to three years. He said the authorities have repeatedly attempted to silence individuals demanding their rights in the district, a practice he deemed contrary to democratic principles.
The memorandum submitted by B.K.U. was handed over to Additional District Magistrate Manglesh Dubey. The union warned that if its demands are not met promptly, it will launch a larger movement at the district level, placing responsibility for any resulting unrest on the administration.
While the union has called for an investigation into Director Brigadier Rakesh Gupta, no independent verification of the allegations has yet been provided, and the director’s response remains pending. The police, on the other hand, have not publicly commented on the method of detention or the allegations of concealment of detainees’ locations.
As the sit‑in continues, both the union and local officials are awaiting a response from the district administration. The next step will likely involve a meeting between B.K.U. representatives, district officials, and possibly senior police officers to determine whether the staff will be released and how the requested inquiry will proceed.
