Political Consciousness and Labor Movement in Colonial India

The early 20th century marked the first signs of political consciousness among the Indian working class. One pivotal event occurred in 1908 when Bombay’s workers staged a six-day political strike protesting the conviction and imprisonment of Lokamanya Tilak. This event underscored the budding political awareness among Indian workers and garnered international attention. Lenin himself remarked, “The Indian proletariat has already matured sufficiently to wage a class-conscious and political mass struggle.”

Involvement During the Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi Movement, which encouraged the use of indigenous goods and rejected foreign-made items, witnessed active participation by the working class, who began connecting their struggles to the broader nationalist movement.

Key Developments During the Swadeshi Movement

• Strikes in Major Sectors: Workers organized strikes in industries like government printing presses, railways, and the jute sector.
  ○ Leaders like Ashwini Coomar Banerjea, Prabhat Kumar Roy Chaudhuri, Premtosh Bose, and Apurba Kumar Ghosh spearheaded these movements.
  ○ The strikes aimed at:
  ○ Addressing workers’ grievances.
  ○ Demonstrating solidarity with the nationalist movement.
• Formation of Trade Unions: Early attempts were made to form trade unions, though they met with limited success due to a lack of organization and state opposition.
• Role of Prominent Leaders: Leaders such as Subramaniya Siva and Chidambaram Pillai led significant strikes in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.
  ○ These movements focused on:
  ○ Addressing exploitation in local industries.
  ○ Mobilizing workers for greater causes.
  ○ Both leaders were arrested, reflecting the state’s opposition to labor mobilization.
• Impact of Tilak’s Arrest: The arrest and trial of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent nationalist leader, ignited a massive worker-led strike, showcasing unity between laborers and the nationalist movement.

Impact of the First World War

The First World War (1914–1918) had profound economic and political impacts on the Indian working class.

Economic Disparities

• Profits for Industrialists:
  ○ Industrialists witnessed unprecedented profits during and after the war.
  ○ Jute mills averaged 140% dividends between 1915 and 1924, peaking at 420% in 1919.
  ○ Cotton mills averaged 120% dividends, with the highest at 365%.
• Workers’ Wages: Workers’ wages stagnated, with jute workers earning an average yearly income of only £12.

Political Developments

• Gandhian Leadership: Mahatma Gandhi’s rise to prominence marked efforts to involve workers and peasants in the nationalist struggle.
  ○ His philosophy emphasized:
  ○ Non-violence.
  ○ Trusteeship.
  ○ Class collaboration.
• International Influence: The October Revolution in Russia inspired Indian workers, introducing revolutionary ideals like overthrowing capitalism.
  ○ The establishment of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) brought global attention to labor issues.

Formation of All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

The All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was founded on 31 October 1920, signaling the formal organization of Indian labor. Lala Lajpat Rai served as its first president, while Dewan Chaman Lal was appointed the first general secretary.

Prominent Features of AITUC

• Nationalist Leadership: Many prominent nationalist leaders supported AITUC, including:
  ○ C.R. Das.
  ○ V.V. Giri.
  ○ J.L. Nehru.
  ○ Subhas Bose.
  ○ Sarojini Naidu.
• Moderate Beginnings: Initially influenced by British Labour Party ideals, AITUC focused on:
  ○ Economic improvements for workers.
  ○ Avoiding direct political confrontation.
  ○ Moderates like N.M. Joshi advocated for this approach.
• Gandhian Influence: Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and trusteeship shaped early trade union activities.
  ○ He personally organized the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (1918), securing a 27.5% wage increase for workers.

Trade Union Act of 1926

The Trade Union Act of 1926 was a landmark law that provided legal recognition to trade unions and regulated their activities.

Key Provisions of the Trade Union Act

• Legal Recognition: Trade unions were recognized as legitimate entities with the right to:
  ○ Exist and operate within legal frameworks.
  ○ Own and manage property.
• Conditions for Registration: Unions needed at least seven members engaged in trade or industry to register.
• Immunity from Liability: Registered unions were shielded from:
  ○ Civil lawsuits.
  ○ Criminal liability for legitimate union activities.
• Political Restrictions: Unions were prohibited from:
  ○ Using funds for political purposes.
  ○ Engaging extensively in political activities beyond worker grievances.

Communist Influence and Trade Disputes Act (1929)

Communist Influence on AITUC

• The 1920s saw the rise of communist ideology, which gave a revolutionary edge to the labor movement.
• Events included: 1928 Bombay Textile Mills Strike:
  • Lasted six months, led by the Girni Kamgar Union.
    ○ AITUC’s affiliation with the Third International (Moscow) and Pan-Pacific Secretariat.
• Split in AITUC: Led by N.M. Joshi, moderates formed the All India Trade Union Federation (1929) due to ideological differences with the communists.

Legislative Measures

• Trade Disputes Act (TDA), 1929: Mandatory Courts of Inquiry for resolving industrial disputes.
  ○ Strikes in public utility services (e.g., railways, posts) were prohibited without one month’s notice.
  ○ Banned coercive or political trade union activity.
• Public Safety Ordinance, 1929: Aimed at curbing communist activities and radical labor movements.

Conclusion

The emergence of political consciousness in the Indian working class was a significant milestone in the broader nationalist struggle. Workers transitioned from localized grievances to organized movements tied to independence. Despite ideological divisions, organizations like AITUC played a crucial role in shaping labor activism. The interplay of Gandhian principles, communist ideologies, and legislative measures reflected the complexity of the labor movement, which ultimately contributed to the nation’s path toward freedom.

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