Com. K.G.Bose – the Revolutionary Leader
The BSNL Workers are celebrating BSNL Employees Union Foundation Day on 22nd March 2012, with inauguration of its own Union Building at New Delhi. The date is also important as the 35th death anniversary of the veteran working class leader Com.A.K.Gopalan, freedom fighter, PB Member of CPI(M) and Opposition Leader in the first Lok Sabha.
The building is being named as ‘K.G.Bose Bhawan’ in memory of our beloved leader, guide and visionary who charted the future course for the P&T movement in the country. It will only be appropriate at this moment to remember and pay homage to him.
Family Background
Krishna Gopal Basu was born 7th July 1921 to Shri Jaya Gopal Basu and Smt. Nivanani Basu. Shri Jaya Gopal Basu was a teacher. A native of Helutala village (after partition in Bangladesh), the family shifted to Calcutta and constructed a small house at Beliaghata, where K.G.Bose was born. Late Moni Basu (Moni Bose) was KG’s younger brother. Their father and elder brothers died early and it became the responsibility of Krishna Gopal Basu to look after his sisters and younger brother. The brothers managed their studies with some help from the Ramakrishna Mission. He managed to get work in a private company, ‘Orient Fan’, as an apprentice. During the period, he studied privately and graduated. Later in 1941, he got appointment as a clerk in the office of the Divisional Engineer, Telegraphs, Calcutta, at a salary of Rs. 45 after passing a competitive examination. This was a great relief to the struggling family.
Even after getting a job, KG continued his studies in the college and was active in the student movement as also Marxist Study Group.
P&T Trade Union Movement
At that time, the Posts and Telegraphs were part of the same department. Telephone service has been introduced in the big cities a few years back and were growing fast and was part of the Telegraphs. The trade union movement in P & T was divided and there were three main all India organisations viz. Indian Telegraph Union, The Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union and All India Postal & RMS Union. In addition, more than one dozen other unions existed. From the day one, Krishna Gopal Basu, with his background in the students’ movement and union activities in the Orient Fan, became an active worker in the Indian Telegraph Union. He became its Branch Secretary in no time. In 1945, Com. Moni Bose, his younger brother, also joined the Department in the very same office.
1946 All India Postal Strike
The All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union declared an indefinite strike from 11th July 1946 on a 16 point Charter of Demands. It was a period when the entire country was fighting against the British rule and many struggles were being organised as part of the Independence movement. The government immediately declared the postal strike as illegal. The reformist leadership of the Federation of P&T Employees issued a statement opposing the strike. The Indian Telegraph Union also disassociated from the strike. But this could not deter the strike action. In Bengal, under the leadership of Com.Bhupendra Nath Ghosh, who later became the Secretary General of NFPTE, full support was given to the strike. Com. K.G.Bose took a leading role in organising the same.
The strike spread like wild fire all over India. In the major cities like Madras, Bombay and Calcutta, massive processions with full support of the trade unions were organised. The hartal and bandh organised in Calcutta in support of the strike on 29th July 1946, was one of the biggest Calcutta has ever seen till that time. Com. KG took a very important role in organising the same.
The Congress and the All India Trade Union Congress, which was the only national trade union at that time, gave full support to the strike. The British government had to come down to negotiate and 12 out of the 16 demands were conceded and the strike ended on 6th August after 26 days on a successful note. Government also declared “Good Conduct Pay” to the P&T employees. The strike resulted in a new thinking on the part of workers and leaders on the necessity of having a united organisation in P&T. The leaders who opposed the strike got isolated from the workers.
The Formation of UPTW
The discussion between the leaders and the urge of the workers for a united movement heralded in new developments. The major three unions, Indian Telegraph Association, Indian Postal Union and the All India Postal & RMS Union were merged and the Union of P&T Workers (UPTW) formed in the Akola Conference in 1946. Com. Om Prakash Gupta, the young office secretary of the Union and who was with the progressive section at that time, was elected as the first General Secretary of the UPTW.
The growth of UPTW was phenomenal. Under the militant leadership of Comrades B.N.Ghosh, Om Prakash Gupta, K.G.Bose, V.S.Menon and other young cadres all over the country, within a short time, UPTW grew all over India and the membership reached to more than two and half lakh, which no other union could reach so far in the P&T. It maintained regular contact with All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), which was the only central trade union at that time. India got independence in 1947. There were many urgent issues and the workers wanted early settlement. The UPTW decided to organise agitational programmes and called for the Supreme Council to be held at Madras for taking the strike decision. While the national leaders of Congress supported the Postal Strike of 1946 when the struggle against British rule was on, they took a complete U turn after India got independence and wanted to crush the P&T strike which was being organised in 1949. All the top leaders including B.N.Ghosh, O.P.Gupta and others were arrested even before the Supreme Council could meet. KG was arrested along with other comrades in Calcutta.
Dismissal from Service
Along with many other comrades, Com.K.G.Bose was suspended from service in connection with the 1949 strike. Many young comrades including Moni Bose, Janak Gupta (wife of O.P.Gupta and who was also the Secretary of the union at Delhi) were terminated from service. There was severe victimisation which continued for a long period. It was a very trying period, with the government continuing victimisation with revenge.
Com.K.G. was never taken back in service. He was finally dismissed in 1961, through a farce of inquiry proceedings. Com. Moni Bose and Janak Gupta and some others terminated leaders were not reinstated. All of them became full time workers of the Union.
The old anti-progressive section in the leadership utilised the opportunity and tried to change the militant leadership of the UPTW, but they failed. Com. O.P.Gupta was re-elected as General Secretary, but was arrested and kept in custody. Com.K.G. was arrested several times during the period and for some times he went underground to avoid arrest.
Formation of NFPTE
In the fluid situation, the necessity of a united union, including those still outside of UPTW, was acutely felt. Minister of Communications, shri Jagjivan Ram, took initiative in bringing a united organisation, which was the aspiration of the workers also. Despite several difficulties, the new organisation, National Federation of P&T Employees (NFPTE), was formed on 24th November 1954. It was a red day in the history of the P&T Trade Union movement in the country, which inspired the entire P&T and Central government employees. Comrade Bhupendra Nath Ghosh (B.N.Ghosh) was elected as the first Secretary General of NFPTE in the Federal Council held at New Delhi. The Federation consisted of 9 All India Unions, representing the class III and Class IV unions in the four arms of Postal, RMS, Telegraph, Telephones and one combined union for the Class III and Class IV employees in the P&T Circle Offices. Com.KG, who had made maximum efforts for the reorganisation was elected as the Circle Secretary of the Postal Class III Union, Telegraph Engineering Class III Union and Telegraph Engineering, Line staff & Class IV Union of Bengal Circle.
NFPTE marches ahead
The formation of NFPTE had a great impact on the Central Government employees in the country. Within a few years the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, the umbrella organisation, was formed at the initiative of NFPTE. Except the unions in Railway and Defence, almost all other unions, including NFPTE, was part of this new organisation. The strike call by the NFPTE in 1957 demanding appointment of a Central Pay Commission had a positive result. The government was compelled to appoint the same.
The 5 days Glorious Strike of 1960
The workers were completely dissatisfied with the recommendations of the II Central Pay Commission, which did not recommend the minimum wage as demanded by the unions. A call for indefinite strike was given by the Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers, Defence and Railways Federations. The Central Government for the first time in Independent India promulgated the Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO), arrested, jailed, dismissed, suspended and terminated employees in thousands. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru termed the strike as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and used all measures to suppress it. Severe victimisation and harassment of the workers took place. Terror was let loose on the workers. After 5 days of glorious strike, the strike was withdrawn by the All India leaders, who were all in jail. The strike was a bitter experience to the workers who saw the real face of the government to the genuine demands of its employees. It took more than 3 years to end the victimisation. Com. AKG and other left MPs in the Parliament severely criticised the government for its brutal attack on the striking workers and demanded to vacate all victimisation.
Elected as All India President of Postal Union
Com. K.G.Bose, who was functioning as the Circle Secretary of Postal Class III Union was elected as the All India President of the Union in the Ludhiana Conference in 1963. Accordingly his activities were extended to the all India level in a big way.
My first meeting with Comrade KG
It was at the All India Conference of the AITE Union Class III at Thiruvananthapuram in 1963, that I first met Com.KG. I was the Branch Secretary of the Union at Cannanore ( Kannur) and was a delegate to the AIC. About 10 comrades, including me, were issued with Rule 14 charge sheets at that time, proposing major penalty, including dismissal, for participating in a so called ‘wild-cat’ local strike demanding certain facilities to the staff. I had discussion with the Divisional Engineer, Calicut for withdrawal of the charge sheet, but he was furious that a strike has taken place in his division and wanted the union and employees to be taught a hard lesson.
During the Conference I met Com. O.P.Gupta, General Secretary, and asked him to take up the matter with the top level officers, who will be attending the AIC. His comment was that “who asked you to go on strike?” and refused to intervene. I had seen Com.K.G.Bose earlier, but had not talked with him. I went to him and told him about the victimisation. In the Open Session, where the Member (Operation) P&T was also present, Com.KG in his speech severely criticised the disciplinary action taken by the Divisional Engineer, instead of settling the genuine grievance of the workers and asked the Member to see that the punitive actions are withdrawn. It was a big relief and a pleasant surprise to me and all our comrades, when Member, P&T, during his speech, assured Com.Bose and the house that no disciplinary action will be taken in the case mentioned by the latter. Accordingly, the charge sheets were dropped after a few days. I have mentioned this incident to illustrate that how he dealt with each and every problem of the workers.
Afterwards, I had the occasion to meet him in the All India Conferences and also in some meetings at Delhi. More than once, he came to Calicut and attended meetings on our invitation. A few letters sent by him, I have kept as a treasure. The union building at Calicut, dedicated to him, “K.G.Bose Mandiram”, was inaugurated by Com. Parul Bose, wife of Com. K.G. in the 1980s. Com.Parul Bose, a teacher and union leader, was stabbed by goondas in the 1970s, when there were gruesome attacks on the communists and Left.
Formation of 12 July Committee
One of the important contributions of Com.KG was the formation of the 12 July Committee of Bengal, which consists of the organisations of the Central Government, State government, public sector and local self government employees, primary and secondary teachers etc. The Committee was formed in 1966 and the KG was elected as the first Joint Convener of the same. He was much interested in such joint functioning as it was the necessity of the times to fight against the attack on the working class, which was in existence in Bengal at that time.
One Day Token Strike of 19th September 1968.
The government’s refusal to concede the need based minimum wage to the central government employees resulted in another strike, this time a token strike for one day on 19th September 1968. Com. KG toured throughout India in preparation for the strike. There was massive participation of Central government employees. The central government once again made use of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and victimised the workers in thousands through arrest, suspension, dismissal, termination etc. The progressive section under the leadership of Coms. KG Bose, N.J.Iyer, K.Adinarayana and others wanted to fight the victimisation, but O.P.Gupta, wanted to wait for the leniency from the government instead of sustained agitation. In circles like Keral, Bengal etc., work- to- rule and other agitations continued till the victimisation was vacated.
KG elected as President of NFPTE
The difference was not in connection with the strike alone. Com.O.P.Gupta – D.Gnaniah leadership, who were part of the progressive section earlier, started taking a reformist and anti-struggle position. They torpedoed the democratic functioning of the organisation itself. Instead of fighting with the government to protect the rights of the workers, they wanted to limit everything at the level of discussion and agreement, even if it is not in the best interests of the workers.
The resentment against the NFPTE leadership increased and in the next Federal Council meeting in 1970, a stiff contest took place. Coms. K.G.Bose and A.S.Rajan were elected as President and Secretary General of NFPTE defeating the O.P.Gupta – D.Gnaniah group. For the first time in the history of NFPTE, a worker president was elected. Till that time all the Presidents of NFPTE were outsiders, mainly leaders of AITUC etc. This time, a dismissed P&T worker was elected as President and the workers were jubilant.
Disruption of NFPTE, Confederation
But the reformist leaders were only waiting for a chance. In the next Federal Council meeting at Calcutta in 1971, they floated a parallel list of office-bearers well knowing that they cannot win in election. The then Communications Minister Shri H.N.Bahuguna recognised the fake list, thus toppling the democratic traditions of NFTE and unwarranted interference in the democratically elected leadership. This resulted in horizontal division of the Confederation as also NFPTE for some period. While the Confederation and NFPTE under the leadership of Coms. S.K.Vyas, KG Bose, NJ Iyer, K.Adinarayana etc. went on strike along with Railway workers in 1974 demanding Bonus, the reformist leaders with OPG and Co. at the top opposed the strike and even joined the government to victimise the striking workers. Though the Railway workers continued the strike for 22 days, the CG employees were compelled to call off the strike after 3 days. But the fight against the victimisation continued for years.
KG as MLA and Pay Commission Member
In the last period of the 1960s, Com.K.G.Bose was elected as an MLA in W.Bengal assembly. He was also nominated as a member of the Pay Commission for the state government employees. Both responsibilities, he fulfilled with credit.
KG falls ill
The continued tours all over India exposing the reformists and organising the union as also the hectic activities of the 12 July Committee and responsibilities as an MLA and Pay Commission Member had a disastrous effect on his health. On a check up, it was found that the dreaded cancer has caught with him. But, he continued his work without any break.
It was during this period that Com.KG visited Calicut to attend a largely attended Convention. It was in 1974. He reached Calicut by train at about 0800 hours in the morning. Hundreds of workers under the leadership of Workers Centre, a co-ordination Committee of Central, State, public sector employees and teachers welcomed him and took him in a procession to the Town Hall where the Convention was held. His address in the Convention was inspiring. We had arranged a Press Conference later, but he felt tired and did not attend the same. The press reporters came and met him in the room where he was resting. The next day he was taken to Mangalore, again in train, where also, he addressed a well attended meeting. From there he returned to Calcutta. But we never knew, nor did he tell us that he was suffering from cancer. When we knew later that he was suffering from cancer at that time, we were pained much to remember that we made him walk about one km distance in procession in the morning sun and compelled him to attend so many functions. After a few months, he was sent to London for treatment.
Treatment at London
He was given expert treatment at London, but the disease had already reached a situation beyond treatment.
During his treatment at London he used to write letters and guided the struggle against reformists and for the demands of the workers. To the extreme sorrow of all who knew him and worked with him, Com.K.G. passed away at the London Hospital on the 11th December 1974. A revolutionary life has ended. He left behind him his wife, Com.Parul Bose, a trade union worker herself, who shared with KG all the difficulties and pleasant moments of life, and his son, Dipankar Bose and the Bose family.
Com.Moni Bose, his younger brother, as all of us know, was always with KG, and after his death took a very leading position in the movement. In 1991 Bhopal All India Conference of the All India Telecom Employees Union Class III, in a very tight election fight with the reformist leaders, defeated and replaced O.P.Gupta as General Secretary, where I was elected as the President of the Union. He was fully engaged with the union activities till he breathed his last on 19th May 2010 after a severe heart attack. His wife, Jyotsna Didi and the entire family are part of the telecom family.
KG Bose Bhawan
On this occasion when BSNLEU is having a new building dedicated to him and named “K.G.Bose Bhawan”, I once again remember the revolutionary leader, his guidance and leadership and the way he became the shining star of a whole generation of young comrades like me.
Red Salute to Com. K.G.Bose, the Revolutionary Leader!
…….
“ I want to survive and continue my uncompromising fight against all injustices and in this struggle I am not alone, thousands and thousands of comrades are with me and they are the source of my inspiration” …”We cannot be a party to any proposal which may be considered as surrender of the principled stand by the common workers.”
( K.G.’s letter from London Hospital)
V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 