1960 Strike of the Central Government employees was really historic. It was the first of the big strikes in India after Independence. It is difficult for the new generation to understand how inhumanly and brutally the five days strike was suppressed by the Government declaring it as ‘Civil Rebellion’. It was to crush the strike that the government promulgated the ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ for the first time. Thousands were arrested and jailed, including those outsiders who supported the strike. Tens of thousands were dismissed, suspended and terminated. Heavy punishments were imposed after conducting shabby Rule 14 proceedings. Transfers were in lakhs. Independent India has never seen such state brutality before. Employees were treated as enemies of the country.
I had my own hard experience. Though less than two years of service, when the strike took place from 11th July 1960, I was the local leader of the telecom employees at Kannur, Kerala, where I was posted. We were mostly juniors, many of whom were later entrants than me with 3 to 6 months service. Once the strike started, we were all compelled to go underground to escape arrest.
But despite all precautions, many were arrested, for participation in the strike. The police wanted me to arrest being the local office-bearer of the union. But, instead, they arrested Com.M.N.N.Namboodiri, who was only having about three to six months service’ on the misunderstanding that it was me. He was presented before the Magistrate. When the Magistrate found out that he was not V.A.N.Namboodiri, he offered him to release and attend the office. But the young man told the court that he was on strike on the call of the union and he was not going back for duty unless the union says so. The Magistrate got angry and immediately issued judgement punishing him for six months rigorous imprisonment and he was sent to jail. He was in jail for about 15 days. By the time, the strike was over and he was released on bail.
The young brave comrade was reinstated later, passed ESP examination and got promotion and went to Bombay. He retired from Trichur as DE. On 30th June 1996, the day I retired, I got a call from him informing that he has also retired on the same day.
When I came to Trichur, after much difficulty his number was found out, and called him on his land-line. He was glad to speak to me. We spoke for some time, remembered the good times, enquired about health etc. When asked him why has no mobile free connection which he is entitled, he said there was no necessity and hence not taken. Fair enough.
So after about 18 years since retirement, I got the chance to speak him again, though could not meet. I will meet certainly meet him next time I come to Trichur, the comrade who went to jail, instead of me, who was brave enough to face jail sentence for going on strike.
Now some of our employees are worried about loss of salary for going on strike, but thousands of employees like Com. MNN Namboodiri did not even fear imprisonment for implementing the call of the union.
These are the shining examples of courage and commitment to the cause!