What is the relation between 1946, 1974 and 2013? At first there seems to be nothing. But if you go through the history of the struggles of the working class in India, you will find a pattern connecting these periods.
1946 was a period of historical struggles of the people and workers of India against the British Empire for realising the demand of Independence for India. The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, the Postal Strike etc. are part of this great struggle. And Britishers had to quit India and India got independence in 1947.
In 1974 also there were serious struggles by the working class of India. The 22 days massive strike of the Railwaymen participated by about 12 lakh workers along with other central government employees on the issue of Bonus and other demands, though suppressed by the government through ESMO and brute force, started a process which culminated in the defeat of the Congress Government at Centre in 1977 for the first time despite the efforts of the government to continue with declaration of Emergency. Again a big change for the country.
The 48 hours general strike on 20-21 February 2013 called by the 11 Central Trade unions and supported by almost the entire All India Federations and trade Unions, is going to be another historical struggle. It is for the first time since Independence that such a big strike is taking place. 10-12 crore workers are expected to participate in the strike. The demands raised are the demands of the people and the working class. There is no doubt that the strike will be a great success and it will have serious repercussions on the government, today or tomorrow.
That is why I stated in the start that there is a very big similarity in the three big struggles. A change has to certainly come.