Surat: Textile weavers from across Surat city and the district have launched protests against a textile trading firm, alleging that its representative abused a weaver who demanded long-pending dues and made derogatory remarks against the Kathiawadi community.On Friday, a group of weavers gathered at the firm’s office in Millennium Textile Market II to protest. Police were called to the spot. The agitation continued on Saturday, with weavers approaching Sachin GIDC police station and seeking registration of a case for cheating and criminal breach of trust over payments pending for more than 200 days.Chetan Maniya, president of the Rapier Jacquard Weavers Association of Surat, said the issue affected several weavers. He alleged that the trader routinely used abusive language when workers demanded their dues and had also threatened the complainant with police action.The controversy escalated after an audio recording of an alleged phone conversation went viral on social media. In the clip, the trader is purportedly heard abusing a weaver demanding Rs 8 lakh in pending payments, of which only half had been paid. The dispute intensified after the weaver posted reminders in WhatsApp groups.The protest comes ahead of Diwali, when pressure to clear dues rises as weavers and jobwork providers seek payments before the holiday break. Weavers say delayed payments have become a major concern amid difficult market conditions, with some traders disappearing without settling outstanding dues during the festive period.
