CONTRIBUTION OF WORKING CLASS TO

THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT OF INDIA

INTRODUCTION
The working class has made enormous contribution into the cause of the
National movement for Independence by its sheer dedication, enthusiasm to
support its leaders and in the anticipation of better economic conditions which
will come with the Independence.

The workers movements though started as early as in the second half of 19th
century, it really picked up with its inclusion in the overall political
struggle. The early congress leaders though were less enthusiastic about
including workers’ cause, the nationalist leaders from the time of Swadeshi
movement threw themselves to the task of organizing trade unions, strike, legal-aid
and fund collection activities.

However, the most important development in workers movement began with

formation of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) with Lala Lajpat Rai as its
first president. The working class hence forward responded very well to the
changing political scenario especially in organizing demonstrations, hartals,
and agitations against various issues such as economic demands, racial
discrimination and overall issue of political independence.

Few memorable worker movements such as Swadeshi movement, Ahmedabad Textile

mills agitation, railway workers agitations, boycott of Prince of Wales, and
most spectacular among them i.e. Naval mutiny agitation proved the important
role and contribution of the working class to the overall objective of
Independence.

CONTRIBUTION OF WORKING CLASS

IN THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
1. Initially only a few strikes but were spontaneous and sporadic and connected
with economic demands. No angle of struggle for independence. Even the
nationalists did NOT take up their cause seriously and many journals opposed
reforms like Factory Act, assuming that these legislations will harm Indian
advantages.
2. First orgnised strike in 1899 in Great Indian Peninsula railways. Swadeshi
movement proved to be a milestone as it demonstrated hartals in jute industry in
Bengal.
3. Formation of All India Trade Union Congress in 1920 with Lalaji as first
president sought to mobilise workers along political lines. Wave of communism
became apparent. After Trade Union Act, 1926, strikes became frequent and
British came down heavily, example Meerut conspiracy case.
4. Workers participated in Civil Disobedience Movement but communists suffered
split in ranks.
5. Initially communists opposed World war 2 but supported it when Russia was
attacked and called it People's War to end Fascism. So they did NOT support Quit
India Movement.
6. After war, workers showed solidarity over INA trials and with Bombay Naval
Mutiny.
However, regrading worker's contribution following points can be made:
1. Not a continuous association with Moderates or Extremists or Gandhiji.
2. Mostly influenced by Communist leadership and also by outside developments
like in Russia and China.
3. Economic considerations weighed heavily in their minds as against freeedom.
Nonetheless, workers contributed a lot by their strikes in crippling British
administration and making voices heard.

The working class were a very important section of the Indian population
holding the national cause in the national movements against Britishers,
the role and contribution of the working class can be understood in five
phases.
1st: 2nd half of the 19th century

1) Monthly journals like Bharat Sramjeevi, Dina Bandhu published with the primary idea to
educate workers
2) Memorial signed and sent to Bombay Factory Commission for the worker's demand
But, the nationalist were not very willing to take the cause of worker, as, they didn't want to
hamper the Indian Industrialist cause at that time.

2nd: After 1900

1) Strikes became a common phenomenon, the first in the series was Great Indian
Peninsular Railway
2) Attempt to form all India Union made but it failed
3) Bengal Partition saw the entry of worker agitation for nationalist cause

3rd: Post World war 1

1) National level organisation formed to defend workers right and unions like AITUC came
up.
2) Workers were the main force in the protest against the Prince of Wales

4th: End of 1920

1) Consolidation of left ideology took place

However, in this phase Government cracked down on the communists. The communists
had also isolated themselves from the mainstream freedom struggle.

5th phase: 1937 onwards

1) Communists joined back the main stream movement and AITUC supported congress.

However, in this phase the communists had shifted their stand from antiwar to pro allied
forces. This shifting policy led to their disassociation from the quite India movement.

Thus, workers were a strong force against the Britishers. However, their movements have
seen neaps and tides along with non-participation at important junctions of the movement
like absence in Civil Disobedience Movement 1932-34

The working class led the initial years of freedom movements as congress was dominated
by middle class bourgeoisie, professionals, journalists and lawyers .The methods of
moderate nationalist were mainly pray and petitions , lacks mass struggle which does not
included the labour class ,peasants and students ,hence had very limited affect.

These working class became the backbone of nationalist struggle and got the support of
middle class in the extremist and Gandhian phase of freedom struggle. The professionals
such as lawyers and journalist struggled for freedom of press ,association of Indian in policy
making, administration and transparency in civil services recruitments.
These working class professionals during Non Co-operation, Civil Disobedience and Quit
India Movement participated enthusiastically by involving in picketing, procession, absence
from offices ,mass resignations etc. due to resistance of working class British administration
faced ordeal situations.

The working professionals like Gokhale , Naroji, GG Agarkar etc brought socio religious
reform in the society by spreading awareness about social evil, education and economic
exploitation.

Though the working class supported the freedom movement through political campaigns of
Congress but this also spread the perception of congress as a bourgeoisie party and
alienated the labour and peasant class which joined the communist movement .However
later the gandhian leadership brought all section of society under one umbrella movement
against colonial rule.

CONCLUSION
-The active role of the working class started with the advent of Swadeshi movement, as
before that, the nationalist leaders were reluctant to divide the Indian classes into factions,
which could hinder the progress of the movement, by bringing their personal interests
forward.
---This helped the working class in being involved with wider political issues of the day,
moving away from the agitations regarding poor economic conditions in the country.
---After the waning of Swadeshi movement and NCM, the working class decided to create
its own national level organisation to defend its civil rights, which led to the formation of
AITUC in 1920, with the contribution of BG Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai.
---This organisation was used to conduct strikes, agitations and demonstrations in various
parts of the country, which coincided with the anti colonial mass struggle. Such activities
provided a way of venting their frustration, to a large section of population whi did not agree
with the Gandhian policies of non violence
---However there was a dip in working class movements between 1931-36, during the CDM,
and it resurfaced only at the time of the formation of ministeries in 1937-39.
---During this period, a new wave of movement under working class emerged, due to the
increased civil liberties offered by congress govts and their pro labour attitude.
---Again, the working class movement disassociated itself from the national movement,
when they began supporting the allied powers to defeat the fascism, by helping in industrial
progress. But still, they were nationalist in spirit and helped in reving the industrial sector in
this process.
---In the last years of British rule in the country, there was a large upsurge in strikes all over
the country, regarding economic issues, as they also hoped for freedom and the civil rights
it will bring with it.