Outrage in Pune: Waste Collector Assaulted Over ₹90 Fee Sparks Justice Call

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A brave waste collector and civic officer from Pune faced violence over a small garbage fee, igniting community anger. The incident highlights the risks frontline workers endure and the urgent need for respect and safety.

Pune | 29 July, 2025: On July 24, 2025, a routine day turned violent for Usha Kishor Shinde, a dedicated waste collector with 15 years of service in Pune’s Kondhwa-Yeolewadi area. While collecting garbage in Sainagar, Lane No. 13, Shinde, alongside Assistant Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Kadam, confronted a family refusing to pay the modest ₹90 monthly fee for waste collection. The family’s defiance had already led to illegal garbage dumping under the Katraj bridge, despite repeated warnings. What began as a discussion escalated into a shocking assault, leaving Shinde injured and the community reeling.

The altercation took a dark turn when a woman from the household allegedly attacked Kadam, attempting to push and manhandle him. As Shinde stepped in to de-escalate, she became the target of the aggressor’s rage. The woman grabbed Shinde’s hand, shattering her glass bangles and causing shards to cut her skin, leading to severe bleeding. The brutality of the attack stunned onlookers, who saw Shinde, a hardworking frontline worker, harmed for simply doing her job. She was rushed to Sassoon General Hospital for emergency treatment, while the incident left a deep mark on those who witnessed it.

The Kondhwa-Yeolewadi community erupted in outrage, rallying behind Shinde and demanding justice. Residents condemned the family’s actions, emphasizing that the small fee was a fair exchange for the essential service waste collectors provide daily. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and fellow sanitation workers echoed this sentiment, calling for the immediate arrest of the attacker and stronger protections for civic workers. The incident has exposed the vulnerability of those who keep the city clean, often facing hostility for their efforts.

An FIR has been filed at Kondhwa police station, and investigations are underway to hold the perpetrator accountable. The assault has sparked a broader conversation about the lack of respect and safety for frontline workers, who toil in challenging conditions to maintain Pune’s hygiene. The PMC has vowed to pursue strict legal action, stressing that no worker should fear violence while serving the public. The community’s support for Shinde reflects a shared desire to end such acts of entitlement and aggression.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a wake-up call for Pune’s residents to value the unsung heroes who manage the city’s waste. As the investigation continues, there is a growing call for measures to ensure the safety of sanitation workers and to foster a culture of respect for their vital role. Shinde’s ordeal is a reminder of the human cost of disregard and the need for collective action to protect those who serve the community.

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