MEERUT: UP Power Corporation (UPPC) has dismissed a contractual lineman for allegedly waving the Palestinian flag after offering namaz on Eid in the Gagalheri police station area of UP’s Saharanpur district.
The action came after Saqib Khan, 35, a resident of Kailashpuri village in Saharanpur, posted a photograph of himself holding the Palestinian flag on social media.
Police summoned Khan for questioning on the same day and interrogated him for two hours before releasing him without any charges. However, local right-wing groups warned of public demonstrations if action was not taken. TOI attempted to reach Khan for a response, but he was unavailable.
‘Employees must follow code of conduct, avoid anti-national activities‘
UPPC’s Baliakheri sub-divisional officer Shishir Kumar Chahi said, “Khan was posted at the Kailashpur power substation under the Baliakheri electricity distribution division. As soon as the matter came to our notice, his services were terminated immediately. We examined the conduct of other employees as well, but Khan alone was found involved in this anti-national activity.”
Another contractual lineman in Meerut, who requested anonymity, said most contracts outline clear terms – “employees must follow a code of conduct, avoid any anti-national activity, and stay away from corruption or criminal involvement. If these conditions are breached, employers have the right to terminate the contract without delay”.
He added, “The set of rules remains more or less the same in every contract. However, the terms and conditions may vary depending on the company that holds the tender to manage contractual employees. In case of termination, the lineman can challenge the decision in court.”
UPPC executive engineer Sanjeev Kumar wrote to the private company that hired Khan, directing them to terminate his services with immediate effect, based on documents accessed by TOI. In his letter, Kumar said Saqib was found involved in “anti-national activities” by waving the Palestinian flag and sharing the image online.
Saharanpur (city) SP Vyom Bindal said, “The matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the probe. Our primary concern was to ensure there was no breach of peace. If any offence is established, necessary legal action will follow.”
UP police have registered multiple FIRs against unidentified individuals for waving the Palestinian flag in different areas of Meerut and Saharanpur.