Thousands of artisans lose livelihood and forced to head back to their homes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
NEW DELHI — The bustling jeans market in Khyala in West Delhi, a hub of Muslim artisan craftsmanship, now lies silent and deserted after a controversial crackdown led by BJP leader and Delhi Industry Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
The minister’s recent claims accusing the factories of harbouring “Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators” have sparked administrative action sealing over 100 factories, forcing thousands of Muslim workers to migrate from the area, leaving their livelihoods in ruins.
For more than two decades, Khyala’s jeans market flourished on the skill and hard work of Muslim artisans, many originally from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The community built a thriving local economy, supporting hundreds of families through their craft. However, following the inflammatory remarks and communal rhetoric from Sirsa, the factories faced abrupt closure, throwing thousands into unemployment and uncertainty.
An influential factory owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “The sudden sealing came without any proper notice or investigation. Hundreds of workers lost their jobs overnight. This is not just about business; it’s about destroying people’s lives.”
Reports from the area confirm that over 80 percent of artisans have already left Khyala in the past ten days. With factories shut and orders unfulfilled, many workers have returned to their villages in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, desperate and jobless.
Rashid, a jeans artisan who has worked in Khyala for over 15 years, expressed his despair, “We worked hard here to support our families. Now, with the factories closed, I have no work and no money. I have to go back home and face an uncertain future.”
Local residents and business owners have criticised the BJP leader’s communal approach, stating it has deeply hurt the community and local economy. A resident of Khyala commented, “This is a direct attack on Muslims here. We have always lived peacefully and worked honestly. This political move has destroyed our homes and means of living.”
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, known for his hardline stance, alleged that these factories were centres of ‘jeans jihad’ and claimed that “infiltrators” were working in the area, targeting Hindu and Sikh families. Sirsa said in a video message, “Not a single Rohingya, Bangladeshi, or Muslim living here will be allowed to remain. We will seal their factories and machines, and throw them out.”
These statements have been widely condemned as inciting communal hatred. Community leaders warn that such rhetoric risks dividing the social fabric of Delhi, a city known for its diversity.
Dr Farhan Ahmed, a community activist, said, “This is a clear case of communal targeting disguised as law enforcement. The government must protect the rights of Muslim artisans and support their businesses rather than endangering their source of income.”
The Delhi administration’s sealing drive began in June but escalated following Sirsa’s accusations. The factory owners and workers claim that the crackdown lacks legal basis and that the closures have been rushed without proper checks.
A factory manager said, “We have always complied with regulations. This sudden move appears politically motivated, and the real victims are the artisans and their families.”
The crisis has raised concerns about the wider impact on the local economy and social harmony. Experts warn that the displacement of thousands of skilled Muslim workers could have long-term consequences on the garment industry in Delhi.
As families in Khyala face unemployment and forced migration, there is a growing demand for justice and immediate government intervention to reopen the factories and protect the artisans’ livelihoods.
Local social worker Amina Begum urged, “We call on authorities to reconsider the sealing and stop communal politics from destroying the lives of innocent workers. These artisans are the backbone of this market and deserve protection, not persecution.”
