Workers, Peasant and Tribal Movements in Assam

Workers, Peasant and Tribal Movements in Assam

The Assam-Bengal Railway Workers’ Strike (1921)

Perhaps the first sympathetic strike in our country of a tremendous magnitude took place in 1921 when the workers of Assam Bengal railway resorted to an indefinite strike. The strike is very important from the historical point of view not only because it showed strong working class solidarity but also due to the fact that it attracted national attention and involved national political leaders. The strikers were clearly inspired by Non-Cooperation Movement that swept the country at that time. Unlike other labour movements of the period when the workers resorted to strike just to protect their own interest like demanding wage increase or reduced working hours etc., the workers of Assam-Bengal Railway resorted to strike just to express their sympathies towards the oppressed plantation workers at Chandpur in Assam. Although it was an organized movement but ultimately the struggle failed. However, its importance cannot be ignored in the trajectory of Organized Labour Movement in Assam.

Dibru-Sadiya Railways Workers Strike, 1928

A seventeen-day strike was occurred again in the Dibru-Sadiya railways workers in 1928. In this strike 430 working people involved and ended in a wage increase for them. Earlier in 1920, the workers of DibruSadiya railways went on strike and they achieved their ends. The main demand of the second strike was to revision of the wages of workers and introduction of a pay scale. About four hundred and thirty workers had been involved in the strike and the company had to concede to the workers‟ demands. The management declared a fifteen to twenty five per cent increase in the wages on different categories of labour. After the declaration of management, the strike called off. The second strike of the workers of Dibru-Sadiya also got its achievement.

Dhubri Match Factory Workers’ Strike, 1935-36

The workers of Dhubri Match Factory again went on strike. In 1935-36, all the workers of the factory were again on a 57- day strike, in protest against retrenchment. It was inspired by Labour Party of Bengal. Therefore, it was a unionized movement and led by Bipin Chandra Chakroborty, a veteran trade unionist from Bengal. The strike was a successful one because the workers won almost all their demands. After this strike, resolutions passed at the Dhubri Labourers‟ Conference under the guidance of Bipin Chandra Chakraborty clearly reflected the influence of the new communist ideology. On 14 December 1936, the workers again went on strike. Unlike the earlier strikes, when the company conceded the most of the demands of the workers, this time the management was very much adamant. The strike was continued till the April, 1937. The strike of 1936 had a great significance in the trade union history of Assam. It got mass support from the people of Assam. The critical state of affairs was debated in the Assam Legislative Assembly also and for the first time the trade union movement of Assam got political significance.

Phulguri Uprising

The Phulguri Uprising which is also known as ‘Phulguri Dhawa’ in Assamese was the first agrarian revolt in Assam after 1857. Phulguri is a place in present Nagaon district. Most of the people of this area belong to Lalung and Kachari tribes. As the people of Phulguri were mostly opium-eaters, the consumption of opium was higher there compared to other places. High price of opium fixed by the British government caused much resentment among the people of Phulguri. The ban imposed by the British government on private cultivation of opium also caused much dissatisfaction among the people of Phulguri. Besides, a rumour spread that the British government would soon impose duties on all their sources of income such as cultivation of betel leaf (pan) and cultivation of fruits in the garden.

Due to the above mentioned causes an uprising broke out which initially took the form of protest through Raij Mels. One day on 17 October, 1861 when people from district villages assembled in a mel the British police forcibly tried to disperse the villagemen. The incident enraged the native people so much that they jumped upon the police party who tried to disperse them. In this encounter many policemen were injured and Mr. Singer, the Assistant Commissioner of police of Nagaon district was beaten to death. However, an additional police force captured the rebels and their leaders were severally punished either with the death sentence or life imprisonment.

Though the Phulguri uprising was a failure its significance cannot be underrated. It was the first popular rebellion of the peasantry of Assam against the British colonial rule. For the first time the middle class intelligentsia came out in support of the Phulguri rebels. Not only that, it also served an inspiration to other villagemen and tribals. This is evident from the fact that within the next few years the peasants of the districts of Darrang and Kamrup broke out in rebellion against the exploitation of the British.

Rangia and Lachima Revolt  

The people of Rangia, in the district of Kamrup following the foot steps of the Phulguri peasants very soon lodged their protests, organizing Raij Mels. The cause of their protest was a hundred percent increase in the land revenue. The Rangia revolt began on 24th December 1893 when the people of Rangia ransacked the Rangia market. Moreover, people staged a demonstration on 10th January, 1894 in which they raised the slogan of not paying the increased revenue. On the same day McCabe, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup, imposed a ban on holding any Mel All the important leaders of the revolt were soon arrested by the police and the revolt lost its edge.

The Lachima Revolt was also held due to the same reasons as that of Rangia. The only difference was that the rebels of Lachima took recourse to violence. They assaulted the revenue collectors who were the agents of the British government. The incident took place in Kalpa, near Lachima, in the district of Kamrup on 21st January 1894. The revenue collectors were so severely beaten by the villagers that one of them died. The infuriated British police immediately arrested as many as seventy- five villagers. But the agitated villagers soon freed the arrested persons from the custody of the police. This led to a major police crackdown on the village. Unable to sustain the torture the rebels ultimately had to give in and the revolt came to an end.

Patharughat Uprising  

Like Phulguri Dhawa the rebellion of Patharughat is also commonly known among Assamese as Patharughatar Ran i.e. the battle of Patharughat. Patharughat is a place in the Darrang district where a revolt broke out in 1894. Here also the grievances of the people were against the enhancement of the rates of revenue. Raij-Mels were held in which not only a protest was lodged against the increased in the rates of land-revenue but a warning was also issued to the villagers to the effect that no one should pay the increased revenue to the government. On 28th January, 1894 when a police party went to the village to attach the property of a peasant cultivator, who was a defaulter, they were surrounded by a mob. Soon after the incident the rebels of Patharughat marched towards the police camp leading the police to open fire.Many of the villagers died and were injured. It led to the complete suppression of the rebels of Patharughat by the British.

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Tea Garden Labour Movements

The tea garden labour movement in Assam is one of the oldest and most important movements in the state. The movement began in the early 20th century, when the tea garden workers started to demand better working conditions and wages. The movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands, but there are still many challenges that the tea garden workers face.

The tea garden workers in Assam are mostly from the marginalized communities of the state. They are often illiterate and have little or no Education. They are also poor and have very little access to Resources. The tea garden workers are employed by the tea companies, which are mostly owned by foreigners. The tea companies have a lot of power and influence in the state. They have been able to exploit the tea garden workers for a long time.

The tea garden workers have been demanding better working conditions and wages for a long time. They have also been demanding that the tea companies provide them with basic amenities, such as housing, healthcare, and education. The tea companies have been reluctant to meet the demands of the tea garden workers. This has led to a lot of conflict between the tea garden workers and the tea companies.

The tea garden labour movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands. The tea garden workers have been able to get better working conditions and wages. They have also been able to get the tea companies to provide them with basic amenities. However, there are still many challenges that the tea garden workers face. The tea companies are still powerful and have a lot of influence in the state. The tea garden workers are still poor and have very little access to resources.

Peasant Movements

The peasant movement in Assam is a broad term that refers to the various movements that have been organized by peasants in the state. The movements have been fighting for a variety of issues, including land rights, better wages, and access to resources. The peasant movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands, but there are still many challenges that the peasants face.

The peasants in Assam are mostly small farmers. They own small pieces of land and they grow crops for their own consumption and for sale. The peasants are often poor and have very little access to resources. They are also vulnerable to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.

The peasants have been demanding better land rights, better wages, and access to resources. They have also been demanding that the government provide them with assistance in times of natural disasters. The peasant movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands. The government has enacted laws that protect the land rights of the peasants. The government has also provided the peasants with assistance in times of natural disasters. However, there are still many challenges that the peasants face. The peasants are still poor and have very little access to resources. They are also vulnerable to natural disasters.

Tribal Movements

The tribal movement in Assam is a complex and multifaceted movement. The movement has been fighting for a variety of issues, including land rights, cultural rights, and political rights. The tribal movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands, but there are still many challenges that the tribal people face.

The tribal people in Assam are mostly indigenous people. They have their own unique culture and way of life. The tribal people have been living in Assam for centuries. However, they have been marginalized by the mainstream Society. The tribal people have been demanding their rights, including land rights, cultural rights, and political rights.

The tribal movement has been successful in achieving some of its demands. The government has enacted laws that protect the rights of the tribal people. The government has also provided the tribal people with assistance in developing their communities. However, there are still many challenges that the tribal people face. The tribal people are still marginalized by the mainstream society. They are also vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

The workers, peasant, and tribal movements in Assam are important movements that have been fighting for the rights of the marginalized people in the state. The movements have been successful in achieving some of their demands, but there are still many challenges that the marginalized people face.

What are the different types of workers’ movements?

There are many different types of workers’ movements, but some of the most common include:

• Trade Unions: Trade unions are organizations that represent the interests of workers in a particular Industry or occupation. They negotiate with employers on behalf of their members, and they may also engage in strikes or other forms of protest.
• Cooperatives: Cooperatives are businesses that are owned and operated by their members. They are often formed by workers who want to have more control over their work Environment and to share in the profits of the business.
• Self-employed workers’ organizations: These organizations represent the interests of workers who are self-employed, such as freelancers, contractors, and small business owners. They may provide support and resources to their members, and they may also advocate for changes to laws and regulations that affect self-employed workers.

What are the different types of peasant movements?

Peasant movements are social movements that are led by peasants, or farmers, to improve their economic and social conditions. Some of the most common types of peasant movements include:

• Land reform movements: These movements seek to redistribute land from large landowners to small farmers.
• Debt relief movements: These movements seek to reduce the amount of debt that peasants owe to banks and other lenders.
• Price stabilization movements: These movements seek to keep prices for agricultural products at a level that is fair to farmers.
• Environmental protection movements: These movements seek to protect the environment from the negative effects of agriculture, such as deforestation and pollution.

What are the different types of tribal movements?

Tribal movements are social movements that are led by indigenous peoples, or tribal peoples, to protect their rights and to improve their economic and social conditions. Some of the most common types of tribal movements include:

• Land rights movements: These movements seek to secure the land rights of indigenous peoples.
• Cultural preservation movements: These movements seek to preserve the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples.
• Self-determination movements: These movements seek to increase the political autonomy of indigenous peoples.
• Environmental protection movements: These movements seek to protect the environment from the negative effects of development, such as deforestation and pollution.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a peasant movement in Assam?

(A) The All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP)
(B) The All Assam Students Union (AASU)
(C) The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF)
(D) The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)

Answer

(D) The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is a militant organization that is fighting for an independent Assam. It is not a peasant movement.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a tribal movement in Assam?

(A) The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU)
(B) The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC)
(C) The Dimasa National Council (DNC)
(D) The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)

Answer

(B) The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is a political organization that represents the Karbi people of Assam. It is not a tribal movement.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a workers’ movement in Assam?

(A) The All Assam Tea Garden Workers’ Union (ATTGWU)
(B) The All Assam Railwaymen’s Union (AARWU)
(C) The All Assam Government Employees’ Union (AAGGEU)
(D) The All Assam Students Union (AASU)

Answer

(D) The All Assam Students Union (AASU) is a student organization that is fighting for the rights of students in Assam. It is not a workers’ movement.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a reason for the workers’ movements in Assam?

(A) Low wages
(B) Poor working conditions
(C) Lack of job security
(D) Lack of education

Answer

(D) Lack of education is not a reason for the workers’ movements in Assam. The workers’ movements are fighting for better wages, working conditions, and job security.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a reason for the peasant movements in Assam?

(A) Low prices for agricultural produce
(B) Lack of Irrigation facilities
(C) Lack of credit facilities
(D) Lack of education

Answer

(D) Lack of education is not a reason for the peasant movements in Assam. The peasant movements are fighting for better prices for agricultural produce, irrigation facilities, and credit facilities.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a reason for the tribal movements in Assam?

(A) Loss of land
(B) Displacement
(C) Cultural assimilation
(D) Lack of education

Answer

(D) Lack of education is not a reason for the tribal movements in Assam. The tribal movements are fighting against the loss of land, displacement, and cultural assimilation.