Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 January 2025
To commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the historic All India Strike of workers and farmers on January 19, 1982, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organized a mass demonstration in front of the Municipal Council office at Aberdeen Bazaar on 19th January 2025. The event was part of a nationwide call jointly given by CITU, AIKS, and other organizations to observe the day as Mazdoor-Kisan Unity Day.
The demonstration began at 10 a.m. and saw participation from a large number of workers representing various trade unions from Port Blair’s urban areas, despite it being a Sunday. The event paid tribute to the ten workers and farmers who lost their lives during police firings during the first-ever nationwide joint strike in 1982.
R. Surendran Pillai, President of the CITU Andaman & Nicobar State Committee, inaugurated the programme. In his address, he highlighted the significance of the 1982 strike, calling it a landmark moment of unity between farmers and workers in India’s labour movement. He also drew parallels with the ongoing year-long farmers’ agitation in Delhi and neighbouring states, emphasising the persistent struggles of farmers for their genuine demands.
D. Ayyappan, Vice President of the CITU State Committee, reflected on the historical importance of the 1982 strike, describing it as a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward socio-economic change. He lamented that, even after 42 years, the condition of workers and farmers across the country remains dire.
Dr. Gouranga Majhi, President of the A&N State Committee of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), praised the 1982 strike as one of the most glorious episodes of militant struggle in post-independence India, symbolising the unity between urban and rural workers and farmers.
The mass demonstration was also led by CITU State Secretaries P. Sathyapal, S.P. Kalairajan, Anand Rajan, and M. Yugander, along with S. Chidambaram, Vice President of the AIKS State Committee.
The event underscored the enduring relevance of the unity and struggles of workers and farmers, as attendees reiterated their commitment to advancing their collective demands.