On July 6, 2025, former Delhi bus marshals staged a mass protest at Connaught Place, highlighting their distress over sudden job termination and unfulfilled promises. With over 10,700 of them jobless since October 2023, the crisis has escalated into a social and political emergency.
Who Are Delhi’s Bus Marshals?
- Initially deployed in 2015 as part of the Civil Defence Volunteer (CDV) scheme aimed at enhancing women’s safety on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses.
- They were not formal employees, but worked full-time wearing khaki uniforms and coordinated with bus conductors.
- In 2019, recruitment ballooned to about 13,000 marshals as part of a broader safety initiative.
The Abrupt Termination & Its Immediate Fallout
On October 31, 2023, the Finance and Revenue departments deemed their deployment “unauthorised,” abruptly terminating over 10,000 marshals without warning.
- Many marshals lived in poverty, uprooted and without severance; some had sold gold or borrowed money to survive.
- Tragically, there have been reports of suicides and deaths linked to extreme financial stress.
Long-Running Protests and Political Finger-Pointing
- Protests began immediately, with sit-ins outside the Delhi Secretariat and Chief Minister’s residence, lasting over 20 months.
- Both AAP and BJP have leveraged the issue. BJP leader Vijender Gupta promised permanent jobs within 60 days, a promise now accused as broken.
- The AAP government, led by CM Atishi, passed a resolution to regularise marshals, quickly forwarded to the Lt Governor for approval—but no further action was seen.
- Political tensions escalated: protests became heated, ministers detained, fights over protocol, even prostrations before a BJP MLA.
Human Stories from the Ground
- Mahesh Kumar, marshal since 2018, said: "We were hired to make buses safer... now we’re left jobless, begging for survival."
- Poonam sat outside CM’s house, saying: "One lost job can leave entire generations unemployed."
- Pankaj, ex-marshal, described a robbery he witnessed on an unguarded bus: "Without us, buses are chaotic. ... crime is rising."
Safety Concerns and Public Impact
Their removal has consequences: rising incidents of theft, harassment, and passenger safety fears.
Commuters like Mansi Sharma report buses feel “less secure,” and marshals helped the elderly, handled emergencies, and deterred pickpockets.
Legal & Administrative Barriers
- The Supreme Court ruled CDVs cannot serve as paid full-time staff—deployments must be emergency-based only.
- Reinstatement requires a formal policy and LG approval. The AAP government’s cabinet-approved plan is still pending LG action.
Temporary Fixes and What Lies Ahead
A stopgap reinstatement occurred during winter pollution months, but was short-lived and ultimately ended in early 2025. There is still no long-term resolution or legal framework.
With Delhi elections looming, the unresolved issue could sway large voter blocks in this economically vulnerable community.
Why This Matters to Every Delhiite
- Women’s Safety – marshals played key role in deterring harassment on buses.
- Urban Security – their presence helped reduce petty crimes and ensured order.
- Employment Ethics – state leveraged vulnerable workers for a decade without formal rights and abandoned them.
- Trust Deficit – promises in 2015, 2019, and pre-election 2024 remain unfulfilled.
FAQ: Understanding the Bus Marshal Crisis
1. Who exactly were the bus marshals?
They were civil defence volunteers hired since 2015 to ensure passenger safety in DTC buses—wearing uniforms and working full-time but without formal employee status.
2. Why were they terminated in 2023?
Delhi’s Finance and Revenue departments ruled that CDVs could not be permanently deployed in non-emergency roles under the Civil Defence Act 1968.
3. How many did the job loss impact?
Around 10,000–10,800 bus marshals lost their jobs in November 2023.
4. What did the Delhi government do after termination?
They passed a cabinet resolution to reinstate marshals, sent it to LG for approval, and briefly redeployed them in pollution control efforts.
5. Why hasn't the LG approved it?
No official reason has been publicised; LG is reportedly reviewing legal compatibility and jurisdiction.
6. What was at stake politically?
Both AAP and BJP used the marshals’ plight for electoral gains—promising reinstatement—but neither has delivered.
7. Are there legal alternatives?
Reassigning marshals to Home Guard or other roles has been suggested, but physical requirements and lack of legal backing make it impractical.
8. How has this affected Delhi’s commuters?
Increased incidents of theft, confusion, lack of assistance for vulnerable passengers, and perceived decline in safety.
9. Have any judicial interventions taken place?
A PIL and contempt petition were filed; the Supreme Court confirmed CDVs cannot serve in regular duties—but urged policy reform.
10. What needs to happen now?
The LG must approve reinstatement policy, legal frameworks must codify roles and rights, and political parties must prioritize worker welfare over optics.
Conclusion
The plight of Delhi’s bus marshals is not just about lost jobs—it’s about broken promises, unsafe public transport, and a governance failure that leaves vulnerable workers exposed. Over two years of unrest without resolution reflect deeper structural issues in public policy and administrative accountability.
Delhi needs a transparent legal policy, formal recognition for these marshals, and swift action from political and judicial authorities to restore their dignity—and bus passenger safety. Only then can Delhi truly fulfill its promise of No Jobs, No Justice.
Report by Toofan Express