MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 31

GLORIOUS RAILWAY STRIKE – 1974

Bonus Convention held at New Delhi focused demand of Bonus to CG Employees. The slogan ‘Bonus for All’ caught imagination of workers. This was effectively taken up by Railway workers under leadership of Com. George Fernandez, Secretary General of AIRF.AIRF organised a Convention of all unions in Railways on 27th February 1974 to discuss the matter. More than 3000 delegates representing about one hundred unions attended. National Co-ordination Committee of Railwaymen’s Struggle (NCCRS) was formed as also an Action Committee with Com. George Fernandez as Convener. It was decided to organize indefinite strike from 8th May 1974, mainly on the demand of Bonus. Confederation of CG Employees and NFPTE (KG Bose) also gave strike notice. NFPTE (OPG) not only did not give strike notice, but also opposed it.

The central government was rattled by strike decision. Strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of George Fernandez and other leaders, it started 6 days earlier in Railways. Central government met strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even family members were beaten and harassed. In many staff quarters, water – electricity connections were cut. It was all-out attack on workers.

In Calicut, procession organized in support of strike was lathi-charged by police. Participants severely beaten. Two newspaper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed against strikers and their supporters. Due to split in Confederation and NFPTE, the strike could not be continued for more than 3 days by central government employees and was withdrawn. Railway workers continued strike. Strike support committee was doing all what could be done.

It was at this time that Com. A.K.Gopalan, M.P. , great working class leader, along with his wife Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not well and doctors advised complete rest. He was taking rest at the residence of Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval. When I reported to him about the serious situation in Railway Colony, he wanted to go to there immediately. Though we tried to stop him, he was adamant. Wherever there is suffering, he will rush there, despite ill health.

We started for Railway Colony. He stepped out from car at entry gate of the colony and started walking. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela, started walking slowly in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who were alone in colony houses saw AKG, started joining us. Within few minutes, it became a big jatha and culminated in the school premises inside colony. By this time, police reached. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. One police official, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded, became silent. By that time, senior police officers came and normalised the situation. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them. He warned police officers that he will come and sit in dharna if harassment continues. The meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed. After this incident, there was a halt to harassment of families in colony.

The Railway strike continued for about three weeks. All leaders and thousands of workers were arrested. Heavy victimisation took place. It was only after change in government at Centre that victimisation could be got vacated. Strike was full success in P and T in Kerala and W.Bengal. 40 workers were terminated and many workers including me suspended. Continued agitations were organised against victimisation. It was only after Janatha government was formed in 1977, that reinstatement and vacation of victimisation could take place. (to be continued).Photos 1. George Fernandez 2. Suseela Gopalan 3. Memorial to Com. A.K.Gopalan 4. Com.A.K.Gopalan.

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 30

ORGANISATION – CRUCIAL ISSUES

Last years of 1960s and 1970s were very crucial period for NFPTE. Differences in dealing with workers’ problems as well as ideological line divided NFPTE in to almost two equal parts.

Federal Council held at Vijayawada on 9-14 May 1970 was witness to sharp debate on the line to be taken against anti-worker stand of government. There was severe criticism against Gnaniah – OPG leadership for not organising serious struggles against victimisation of 1968 strike. NFPTE leadership was indefinitely waiting for leniency to come from government, doing nothing, accused progressive leadership led by Coms. K.G.Bose, N.J.Iyer, K.Adinarayana and L.A.Prasad.K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan were elected as President and Secretary General of NFPTE, in a bitter contest, defeating OPG team. It was a bolt from blue to dominant leadership; a victory for progressive section. Defeated OPG – Gnaniah group created difficulties for new leadership to function, misusing their proximity to administration and government. They were unable to accept the unexpected defeat.

Next Federal Council was held at Calcutta from 28 October to 3 November 1971. KG Bose and AS Rajan were once again elected as President and SG. Well knowing that they cannot win in election, OPG group walked out, prepared a parallel list and submitted to government. Instead of accepting duly and constitutionally elected list, government refused recognition to both. Misusing political connection, OPG group managed to get recognition later.

When majority is lost, it has always been the tactics of revisionists to divide organisation and keep at least one portion of it with them. Unity and democracy is not very important to them. This can be seen again in post-1991 Bhopal AIC election, in which OPG and team was defeated

P and T, Bonus and ED Conventions at DelhiP and T, Bonus and ED Conventions from 10 to 12 December 1972 held at Delhi organised by NFPTE led by KG Bose group were great success. More than 2,500 workers attended from all parts of India. 500 workers participated from Kerala alone. Along with other comrades, I also participated.

Many Kerala comrades reached Delhi, even without a sweater or woollen shawl. It was December and severe biting cold. Suffered a lot. Staying arrangement for Kerala team was made in a well-covered, underground hall of a factory in Narayana, which gave some relief.

Bonus Convention was jointly organised by Confederation of CG Employees and All India State Government Employees Federation. Demand of ‘Bonus for All’ was raised and approved by the Convention. Decided to observe ‘Bonus for All Day’ on 19th January 1973. In addition to employees’ leaders, Prof. Madhu Dantwade M.P., Dr. Mathew Kurien M.P., P.Ramamurty (CITU), Gyan Chand (UTUC), George Fernandez (HMP) and others addressed.

There was an interesting scene during ED Convention. When Com. P.Chellappan Pillai, Kerala Circle Secretary of Postmen and Class IV Union, started speaking in Malayalam, delegates wanted translation. Com. L.A.Prasad, General Secretary, Administrative Union immediately took mike and translated. A GS hailing from T.Nadu, translating Malayalam speech of Circle secretary, Kerala in to Hindi!

After P and T Convention, a huge procession started from Convention site to Raisina Round about, passing through main roads of the capital. Com.N.J.Iyer wearing a red cap, leading the procession, was a sight to see. A real Commander of the working class. Police tried to stop at several points, but the jatha marched ahead till it reached Raisina round about, near Parliament. (Now processions are stopped in front of Parliament Police Station. But during that period, processions were allowed up to Boat Club, just opposite and near to Parliament). Communications Minister Shri H.N.Bahuguna came and accepted the Memorandum presented. Later he met union delegation at his house and discussed the issues.

These conventions created enthusiasm and inspiration amongst the participants and workers at large. It was also a show of strength. Proved that majority of workers are with KG Bose group. ED issues were focussed. Demand of Bonus to CG Employees high lighted, which was main demand of 1974 Railway Strike (to be continued).Photos: 1. Parliament 2. K.G.Bose 3. P.Ramamurthy 4.George Fernandez 5. N.J.Iyer 6. K.Adinarayana

MY LIFE AND STRUGGLES – 28

SUSTAINED STRUGGLES AGAINST VICTIMISATION (CONTD)

Charge sheets were issued under Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules against suspended officials, proposing major penalties including dismissal. Participation in strike, dharna, demonstration, intimidation of non-strikers etc. were the charges. Charge sheets were issued even to some of those officials who were not suspended.

Union adopted many tactics to delay enquiries, since early disposal meant serious punishments including dismissal. After some time, situation may become normal and punishments will be less.

Charged employee has got the right to nominate another official as Defence Assistant to assist him in enquiry. Usually union leaders, who knew rules and were expert in such matters, were nominated. They pointed out several omissions and remissions in the conduct of the enquiry, framing of charges etc. and delayed proceedings. Another tactic was to cross examine witnesses in such a manner so that they become frustrated and contradict themselves. Inquiry Officers and Presenting Officers were no match to these experts.

Coms.K.P.Govindan Kutty, M.C.Ayyappakutty and some other senior leaders were nominated as DA. I attended as Defence Assistant in about 30 cases. Almost on all days, there were sittings of enquiries. The dates had to be fixed according to our availability.

Charges in many of these enquiries could not be proved. But Disciplinary Authorities, mostly DE and SDEs, invariably imposed punishments, whether found guilty or not. Fortunately, there were no dismissals except that of Com.N.P.Padmanabhan, Convener of P and T Co-ordination Committee of Kerala. He was reinstated only after the Janata Government came to power in 1977. Gradually, situation improved and severity of punishments got reduced. However, union leaders were imposed with serious penalties.

Most of the suspended workers were reinstated after some months, except a section of senior leaders. They continued to be under suspension. I was one among them.

Court Cases

There was no court cases filed against striking employees, since state government has already declared that no action will be taken under ESMO in the state. To overcome this situation, officers of various departments were directed by central government to file criminal cases against those participated and/or instigated. 13 such criminal cases were filed in Calicut involving all leaders and some other officials. These cases continued for years. Well known advocates S/Shri P.K.Kunhirama Poduval, Bhaskaran Nambiar, Balakrishnan Nair and K.Jayaraj attended these cases, without charging any fee. Shri Raman Nair, Vakil Clerk of Adv. Poduval was of great help.

Advocate Poduval was unable to attend on the day of final hearing of a serious case as he was laid up. Charges included gherao of an officer and forcible cancellation of a charge sheet. Poduval directed us to Senior Advocate Shri Kunhirama Menon, his partner in the firm, requesting him to attend final hearing. We met him. He agreed to attend. Exactly at 10.00 hours he reached Magistrate Court, which he might not have visited for many decades. He usually attended High Court only. He was respected even by senior judges. Magistrate and advocates were surprised at his presence. Immediately our case was taken. He argued for half an hour in such a way that even we thought that such an incident never occurred. APP had nothing to say. Case was dismissed then there. All cases were over by about two years. Except the first case, all others were dismissed. On appeal, punishment was cancelled in that case also.

We arranged a reception for the advocates at Hotel Alakapuri, but nothing more than tea they will have. We thanked them for their invaluable assistance.

At the initiative of Advocate Shri T.C.N.Menon, M.P., who was also Chairman of Kerala P and T Co-ordinating Committee, cases were filed against termination of all 300 temporary officials. As per direction of Com.Menon, local co-ordinating committee conveners reached Ernakulam, where High Court is situated, prepared petitions and all were filed on the same day. It was almost miraculous. After about two years, these cases came up for hearing. All termination orders were cancelled since the provisions in CCS (CCA) Rules that either payment of one month’s advance salary is to be paid before termination or that a notice of one month should be there was not followed by authorities. This was a great victory. All terminated employees were reinstated and arrears of salary paid.

During the entire period, many agitational programmes were organised as per call of NFPTE as also Co-Ordinating Committee of P and T Unions Kerala. As a result, a good number of young workers became very active in union. They became big asset for union.

I have mentioned about the strike and post-strike situation of Calicut only. It was almost same in other stations of Kerala. All these have been mentioned in the book on 19th September Strike written and published by Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan and me.Within 2 – 3 years, normalcy returned. Of course, scars of victimisation continued for some more time (to be continued).