Trade unions defer nationwide general strike to July 9
The joint platform of 10-central
trade unions
, barring the RSS-affiliate
Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh
, have deferred their proposed
nationwide general strike
on May 20 to July 9, 2025 citing the prevailing situation throughout the country. However, the joint platform has called for demonstrations across the state capitals at industry level on May 20.
'After due consideration of the prevailing situation throughout the country, the joint platform decided to reschedule the nationwide general strike from May 20 to July 9, 2025 against implementation of Labour Codes and other legitimate demands of the workers, farmers and people in general,' it said in a statement issued after a meeting held on Thursday.
'It was resolved that on May 20, massive demonstrations and mobilisations should be held at state capital, districts and industry level,' it added.
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The 10 central trade unions included AITUC, HMS, CITU, INTUC, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
As per the statement, the joint platform of central trade unions and independent sectoral federations and associations asked worker unions throughout the country to continue their preparations for the general strike rescheduled for July 9 and make it a massive success.
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The unions have been demanding the government scrap the Labour Codes, enhance allocation to the employment guarantee scheme while increasing the work days from 100 to 200 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and scrapping of the new pension scheme, among others.
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Golwalkar on China, Nepal Seeing China's actions in Tibet, Golwalkar believed that they would soon act aggressively toward India too. On multiple occasions, his observations on Chinese actions turned out to be prescient. In hindsight, the serious impact could have been averted if action had been initiated based on his warnings. For instance, the government formally accepted the Chinese attack on 20 October 1962. However, on 16 October and then on 18 October, Golwalkar had forewarned that he had definite information that China was going to attack India. Despite not being in active politics, Golwalkar worked toward strengthening India's bilateral ties. For instance, in 1963, he managed to prevent a severe deterioration in Bharat's ties with Nepal. In February 1963, he visited Nepal and met Prime Minister Dr. Tulsi Giri and King Shri Mahendravir Vikramshah. During these meetings, the Nepali leaders shared their concerns about Bharat's evolving bias against Nepal. 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' Ruling and other leaders have the ability to fight this righteous war with firm resolve and also to search for the path of peace… All the knowledgeable brothers should keep up the moral fortitude of society… It is my request to all the countrymen that we should wish for victory, pray for victory, work ceaselessly and make sacrifice of the highest order,' he said. In another message to citizens during the war, he emphasised the importance of cooperating with the government during sensitive times. 'I appeal to all the countrymen and especially the swayamsevak brothers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to fully cooperate with the government in solving the problems that arise. Help the displaced, the injured and the sick, maintain peace and order, civil security…' This was not the first occasion when Golwalkar had specifically called for prioritising national interest. In a statement on 29 October 1962, during the China War, he requested all citizens, especially Swayamsevaks, to extend unquestioned support to the government and warned about anti-nationals attempting sabotage. On 30 October 1962, he sent a letter to the Prime Minister: 'All of us brothers, will spare no effort to carry out our natural duty to free the nation from this danger with all our strength. I feel highly fulfilled in giving this unconditional assurance to you as the person heading the government.' Moreover, in an interview, when asked if he would support the government against China, Golwalkar confirmed that the Sangh would fully cooperate and had already announced this. The tough socio-political milieu alongside global uncertainty posed serious challenges for Bharat during Golwalkar's tenure as the Sarsanghchalak. On every possible occasion, he stepped up as a quiet force who prioritised national interest and pursued national integration as a lifelong mission. Dr. Devi Dayal Gautam is Assistant Professor, Delhi School of Economics and Convenor, Academics4Nation. He tweets @ddgautam. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
