In an unusual display of discontent, factory workers in Haryana have been seen throwing boxes of soan papdi after receiving them as Diwali gifts from their employer. The incident, captured in an undated video that has since gone viral, shows several employees discarding the unopened boxes of the popular Indian sweet outside the factory gates.
The video, purportedly from a factory in Sonipat, Haryana, gained traction after being featured on a news channel. According to the report, workers were expecting a Diwali bonus, but instead, they were presented with boxes of soan papdi just before the festive occasion. Upset by the employer’s perceived failure to keep their promise, the factory workers in Ganaur, Sonipat, resorted to this form of protest.
The footage has ignited a discussion online, with many people criticizing the factory management for its gesture. However, some social media users also commented on the workers’ reaction, with one user on X stating, “Ungrateful employees……. I have faced a similar situation when my business was down and couldn’t afford.” Another comment questioned the disrespect shown, suggesting, “Bonus is a choice of company’s.. not a mandatory rule to be followed. Employees get a salary, promotions and allowances sometimes.. why such disrespect.. a sweet is a sweet..”
Soan papdi, a flaky Indian dessert, is a common Diwali gift in India. Despite its widespread gifting, it has acquired a somewhat unfair reputation as a less-than-ideal present, often associated with last-minute or uninspired gifting. The recent surge in soan papdi memes on social media has further contributed to its perceived lack of desirability among some.