Discuss the phase of working class mmovement in pre independent india
Answers
The Indian Working class had to face two antagonistic forces – an imperialistic political rule and economic exploitation at the hands of both foreign and native capitalist classes. These circumstances led working class movements become intertwined with the political struggle for national emancipation.
Phases of Working class movements:-
1. Saripada Banerjee (Workingmen’s club) - 1870
2. Shorabjee Shapoorji (Bombay Legislative Council) - 1878
3. N.M. Lokhandey (Deen Bandhu, and Mills Association – 1880
In 1899, First Great Railways strike took place with widespread support.
During Swadeshi Upsurge, the biggest strike over the imprisonment of Tilak in 1908 was organized by Bombay workers.
During WW1 and later: Setting up of COMINTERN and ILO lent a new dimension to the working class movement. AITUC founded, Lala Lajpat Rai was the first to link capitalism with imperialism.
Late 1920s: AITUC divded into two groups, There was a 6-month long Strike in Bombay Textile Mill. Alarmed by too many strikes, Government resorted to Legislative restrictions like Public Safety Ordinance and Trade Disputes Act in 1929.
After 1937:
AITUC supported INC candidates in elections. Kanpur strike conducted, which resulted in formation of “Kanpur labour enquiry committee” headed by Rajendra Prasad.
Naval mutiny and Strikes by posts, railways, etc all over India took place in 1947, this strike was final blow to British masters.
HOWEVER After Independence:
The working class movement got polarised on the basis of political ideologies.
Thus, from 1870s till independence working class movements played vital role in national movements by supporting INC and others parties against British imperialism