Sonipat (Haryana), Oct 27:A video from Haryana’s industrial belt has gone viral showing factory workers protesting by throwing boxes of Soan Papdi, a popular Indian sweet, outside their company gate after reportedly receiving it as their Diwali gift instead of a bonus or cash reward.
The incident took place at an industrial unit in Ganaur, Sonipat district, where dozens of employees were seen discarding the unopened sweet boxes in a silent yet symbolic act of protest. The clip, now widely circulated on social media, shows a pile of Soan Papdi boxes accumulating near the company entrance.
According to media reports, the employees were expecting a monetary bonus or gift vouchers as part of the Diwali celebrations — a practice common across many manufacturing units in the region. However, when they were handed just sweet boxes, many perceived it as a token gesture that ignored their contributions and growing financial pressures.
Also read – Jharkhand HC: Courts Cannot Substitute Punishment — Disciplinary Authority Must Reconsider Quantum
The act quickly triggered a debate online, dividing public opinion.
Some internet users supported the employees’ reaction, calling it a reflection of frustration over stagnant wages and lack of appreciation. “They are not angry about Soan Papdi, but about being undervalued,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Others, however, criticised the move as ungrateful and wasteful, arguing that rejecting a gift — however small — was disrespectful. “It’s still a gesture from the company. Throwing away food during Diwali isn’t right,” another comment read.
While no violence or property damage was reported, the video reignited conversations about employee morale, corporate culture, and festive tokenism in workplaces. Industry watchers say that such incidents highlight growing resentment among blue-collar workers, especially in manufacturing zones where wages have not kept pace with inflation.
The company concerned has not issued an official statement so far. Meanwhile, the episode has also inspired a wave of memes and jokes online, with “Soan Papdi” once again becoming a cultural symbol of unwanted gifts during Diwali.
