The 22 days strike of the Railways and Central Government Employees of June 1974 was historic in more than one count. It was the biggest strike by the Railways employees so far. Further, the Central Government under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi treated it as a rebellion and tried to suppress it with all its mighty state power. The later developments witnessed the fall of the Congress government.
The strike was organised under the leadership of the National Co-ordination Committee of Railwaymen’s Struggle (NCCRS), which included all the major unions/federations of the Railway workers except congress led INTUC. The Confederation of Central Government also joined, but it was partial since the Confederation was split by the revisionist group led by OP Gupta, which did not participate in the strike.
The strike from 8th May 1974 completely paralysed the nation. No train moved. The entire cargo movement was halted. It was a thumping success. The government retaliated with a brutality never seen before. Thousands of workers were arrested and jailed, dismissed and suspended, the families were forcibly removed from staff quarters, lathi charge and firing took place in many centres killing the striking workers. It was terror let loose. The Central government employees withdrew the strike after the third day. The Railway strike went up to 22 days facing all terror. There was no other way but to withdraw the strike in the face of the state terror. The strike was withdrawn on 28th May 1974.
The strike had its impact on the political level. The struggle against the government’s anti-people and anti-democratic policy continued by the united opposition. The movement under Jayaprakash Narayan became a mighty force. Afraid of the movement, Indira Gandhi declared Emergency on 25th June 1975. All opposition political leaders were arrested and jailed. Democratic movements were stalled. Free speech was silenced. But it could not continue for long. Emergency had to be called off and election declared. The Congress party which ruled the country since 1947 on its own was utterly defeated in the 1977 general election and the Janata Government was formed.
In all these developments, the mighty strike of the Railway workers had its impact.