Golden Jubilee Year of 1960 Strike

Golden Jubilee Year of 1960 Strike

Dear Comrades,

This is the 50th year of 1960 strike of Central Government employees, wherever subject “strike” is discussed, we proudly refer to ourselves as being part of the organization which led the historical All India Strikes of 1960, 1968, 1974.

In organizing nationwide strikes like these, many comrades became martyrs, many wounded and services of many were terminated and they had to undergo innumerable atrocities. These form praiseworthy history.

Upon completion of 50 years of 1960 strike, we have come across a golden opportunity to remember those martyrs once again on whose accounts our struggle and organization is alive.

Comrades! As you all know the Central Government employees then were highly frustrated and agitated owing to non-fulfillment followings demands. Although they tried their level best to solve the problems through negotiations but the then government did not budge an inch and having left with no other option but resort to strike.

1. Payment of Dearness Allowance on the basis of recommendations of First Pay Commission.
2. Grant of National Minimum Wage on the principles enunciated by the 15th Tripartite Labour Conference held in 1957.
3. Appointment of Standing Board, consisting of equal representatives of Labour and Management, to settle disputes relating to scales of pay and other service conditions.
4. Stop curtailment of any existing amenities, rights and privileges.
5. (a) Reference of all disputes to Arbitration.
   (b) Recognition of “One Union through referendum.”
6. (a) Withdrawal of all Draconian Rules.
   (b) Judicial Enquiry in all cases of arbitrary removed from service.
   (c) Legalization of condition of service of by statute.

Our leaders also tried to discuss the situation with the then Home Minister Shri Govind Ballabh Pant but instead of discussing the demands, he ordered them to call-off the strike and resume work, which our leadership, who were all freedom fighters and had been a part of freedom struggle for independent India, could not digest . It was also great surprise for them that Pantji who had himself borne the wounds of British lathi charge behaved with trade unions in the style of Britishers only.

On 11th July, 1960 strike by Central Government employees including Railway employees, started and then also started the government’s police brutality. Lathis and bullets were sprayed here, there and everywhere. Thousands were dismissed from service and also put behind bars. In order to sabotage the morals of striking employees, aprart from police excesses, the help of pro-government union was utilized. Fear, terror, torture all put together and used by the government then, could not weaken the laudable morals of striking employees and country witnessed a complete strike by Central Government employees. On 12th July, 1960 bullets were showered on the peaceful procession of striking employees, in which our Hon’ble Com. Ranjit Singh, Com. Sakha Ram, Com. Sita Ram, Com. Kripa Shankar, Com. Khaderan alias Girdhar laid down their lives and attained martyrdom.

We will certainly celebrate their unparalleled struggle with all our might so that the celebrations could prove to be guiding torch for old and new comrades alike.

Let us remember the extreme sacrifices of martyrs of July 1960 and celebrate the event in such a way that the same may instill inspiration in the hearts of youngsters.

Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra