Trade Union and Communist Party is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 13 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

British government's repressive measures: Kanpur and Meerut Conspiracy Cases

  • Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1924):
    • First major British government attempt to suppress the early communist movement in India.
    • Key accused and jailed individuals included: Muzaffar Ahmad, S.A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, and Nalini Gupta.
    • M.A. Ansari was NOT associated with this case.
    • Charged under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code for "conspiracy to wage war against the King Emperor."
  • Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929-1933):
    • British government's major crackdown on the Communist Party of India (CPI) and trade union leaders.
    • Accused 27 individuals, including prominent Indian and British communists and trade unionists.
    • The accused were defended by a committee of lawyers including Jawaharlal Nehru and K.N. Katju.
    • Charged under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code for "conspiracy to deprive the King-Emperor of his sovereignty of British India."
    • Drew significant international attention to the repressive policies of the British government.

Communist Party's evolving stand during World War II and the Quit India Movement

  • Dutt-Bradley Thesis (1936): Proposed by British Communists R. Palme Dutt and Ben Bradley, it argued that the Indian National Congress could play a "great" and "foremost part" in realising the anti-imperialist people’s front in India. This was a Comintern-influenced directive for Communists to work within broader nationalist movements.
  • WWII: Initial Stand (Sep 1939 - June 1941): Communist Party of India (CPI) viewed WWII as an "imperialist war" between capitalist powers; called for non-cooperation with British war efforts.
  • All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) 1940 Resolution: Under strong Communist influence, AITUC passed a resolution stating India should not participate in a war that would bring neither freedom nor democracy, nor benefit workers.
  • WWII: Shift to "People's War" (June 1941 onwards): Following Germany's attack on the Soviet Union (June 1941), the CPI declared the war a "People's War" against fascism and in defense of the socialist homeland (USSR). CPI then extended full support to the Allied war effort.
  • Quit India Movement (1942): CPI opposed the Quit India Movement, arguing it would hinder the "People's War" effort and inadvertently aid fascism.
  • CPI Legalization (1942): Due to its pro-war stance, the CPI was legalized by the British government in 1942.

Establishment and early activities of the Communist Party of India (CPI)

  • Communist Party of India (CPI) was founded on October 17, 1920, in Tashkent (then Russian Turkestan), by M.N. Roy, Abani Mukerji, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Shafiq.
  • From 1922, small communist groups emerged in Indian cities like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Lahore.
  • In 1924, Satyabhakta founded the "All India Communist Party" in Kanpur as a distinct initiative.
  • The CPI was formally established within India at a conference in Kanpur on December 26, 1925, with Singaravelu Chettiar as Chairman.
  • Methods like drama, storytelling, and cultural squads (Kala Pathak) were used to spread communist ideology (e.g., by Annabhau Sathe).
  • A.K. Gopalan was a prominent leader of the CPI.
  • Vidya Sagar Nautiyal represented the Communist Party from Uttarakhand.
  • In 1957, Kerala became the first Indian state to form a democratically elected Communist Government, led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad.

Formation of organised trade unions: Madras Labour Union and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

  • Madras Labour Union (MLU), formed in 1918 by B. P. Wadia, was India's first organized trade union in the proper sense.
  • All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was founded on October 31, 1920.
  • AITUC's formation took place in Bombay.
  • Lala Lajpat Rai presided over the inaugural session of AITUC in 1920, becoming its first President.
  • AITUC was founded during the Non-Cooperation Movement, amidst a resurgence of working-class activity.
  • Key figures involved in AITUC's formation included Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak (as a moving spirit), N. M. Joshi, Joseph Baptista, and Diwan Chaman Lall.
  • Many leaders of the Indian National Congress were involved in AITUC's formation; the INC did not oppose it.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru presided over AITUC in 1929.
  • AITUC is currently affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI).
  • N. M. Joshi formed the All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF) in 1929 after a split from AITUC.
  • V. V. Giri was a prominent trade union leader but not associated with AITUC's initial formation.
  • Swami Sahajanand was not associated with the Trade Union Movement.

Growth of communist influence in the trade union movement (1920s-1930s)

  • 1928, Sixth Congress of Communist International (Comintern): Adopted 'left sectarian' policy.
  • Impact of 1928 Comintern policy: Denounced Indian National Congress (INC) as 'bourgeoisie' and 'counter-revolutionary'; advocated for an independent working-class movement, breaking ties with the mainstream national movement.
  • This shift led to increased communist influence and radicalization within the trade union movement, and subsequent estrangement from the national mainstream.
  • 1929, AITUC Nagpur Session Split: The first major split in All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
  • Factions Post-1929 Split:
    • M.N. Roy's group: Formed All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF).
    • Communists: Remained in AITUC for a short period, increasingly clashing with nationalists.
  • 1931, Communist Departure from AITUC: Communists eventually broke away from AITUC to form their own organization, the Red Trade Union Congress (RTUC).
  • 1935: RTUC merged back with AITUC, following a change in Comintern policy towards a 'united front'.
  • 1940: AITUF also merged back with AITUC, reuniting the main factions.

Interplay between the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party on labour issues

  • Early INC: Initially focused on political liberation; its direct engagement with specific labour demands was limited, though it acknowledged economic exploitation.
  • Rise of Communist Influence: Post-WWI, Communist ideology gained significant traction among workers, leading to substantial Communist presence within the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) after its formation in 1920.
  • Communist Ideology & INC: The Communist Party of India (CPI) and its aligned labour unions generally viewed the Indian National Congress (INC) as a bourgeois party, prioritizing class struggle over what they termed 'bourgeois nationalism'.
  • Early 1930s Labour Participation: Labour participation in the INC-led nationalist upsurges, such as the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34), was generally weak.
  • Reason for Weak Participation: Communistled labour leaders considered the INC's ideology as 'bourgeois and reactionary' and, following a sectarian line (especially during the Third Comintern period), largely kept aloof or were hostile to INC's anti-imperialist movements.
  • Nehru's Perspective (Nov 1933): Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent socialist within the INC, advocated for integrating labour issues into the national movement. In a message to the Indian Labour Journal (Nov 1933), he emphasized that both 'social' (class-based) and 'national' (anti-imperialist) struggles were fundamental and should not be compromised.
  • Nehru's Call to Workers: He explicitly urged the working class to play an active and crucial role in the anti-imperialist struggle, seeing it as integral to India's overall liberation.
  • Impact of Repression & Splits: Government repression (e.g., Meerut Conspiracy Case 1929-33) severely weakened Communist leadership, and ideological splits within the AITUC (1929, 1931) further fragmented the labour movement, contributing to its limited consolidated action in the early 1930s.

Key early communist and labour leaders: M.N. Roy, S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed

  • M.N. Roy (Manabendra Nath Roy):
    • Co-founder of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tashkent (1920).
    • Founded the Radical Democratic Party in 1940.
    • Propounded the theory of Radical Humanism.
    • Associated with the Comintern.
  • S.A. Dange (Shrimant Amrit Dange):
    • Prominent early communist leader in colonial India.
    • Co-founder of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in India.
    • Associated with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
    • Involved in the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1924) and Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929).
  • Muzaffar Ahmed:
    • Prominent early communist leader in colonial India.
    • Co-founder of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in India (Calcutta group).
    • Involved in the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1924) and Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929).
    • Prominent trade unionist in Bengal.

Origins of the Labour Movement in Colonial India (late 19th - early 20th century)

  • Narayan Meghaji Lokhande (N.M. Lokhande) is considered the pioneer of the organized labour movement in India, founding the 'Bombay Mill Hands Association' (1890), India's first un-registered labour organization, and publishing the 'Dinabandhu' newspaper.
  • The Factories Act, 1881, the first legislation, primarily regulated child labour (7-12 years), limited working hours, and safety; it did not aim to fix wages or permit trade unions.
  • Mahatma Gandhi founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (ATLA) in 1918 following the Ahmedabad Mill Strike, with Anasuya Behn also playing a key role.
  • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar advised Mumbai workers to establish the 'People's Union' in 1918.
  • N.M. Joshi represented Indian labourers at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Washington Summit in 1919.
  • Prominent women labour leaders of the early 20th century included Anasuya Behn, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, Prabhabati Devi, and Ushabai Dange.
  • The Royal Commission on Labour in India, also known as the Whitley Commission (appointed 1929), was tasked to report on existing labour conditions and make recommendations.
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1936.
  • The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) was founded in 1927 by Purushottamdas Thakurdas and G.D. Birla.

Post-World War II surge in labour unrest and communist activities

  • Post-World War II period: Significant surge in labour unrest and communist activities, particularly within trade unions.
  • Indian Railways strike of 1974: A major industrial action led by George Fernandes.
  • George Fernandes: Served as the President of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) and was the primary leader of the 1974 Railway Strike.
  • Jaya Prakash Narayan (JP): Pioneer of the "Total Revolution" movement.
  • Indira Gandhi: Popularized the "Garibi Hatao" (Abolish Poverty) slogan.
  • Shah Commission: Constituted by the Janata Party Government to investigate the excesses committed during the Emergency (1975-77).

Prominent industrial strikes and their socio-political significance

  • B.N.C. Mill, Rajnandgaon Strike (1920): Led by Thakur Pyarelal Singh. Significant early organized industrial action.
  • All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): Formed in 1920, first president was Lala Lajpat Rai. Coordinated worker movements nationally.
  • Communist Party of India (CPI): Formed in 1925 (official formation date widely accepted), rapidly gained influence in trade unions, particularly in Bombay (textile mills) and Calcutta (jute mills).
  • Bombay Textile Strike (1928): Major strike led by Girni Kamgar Union (a communist-influenced union), showcasing communist organizing power and leading to significant government crackdown.
  • Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929): British government arrested 32 prominent trade unionists and communist leaders (e.g., S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed), alleging a conspiracy to overthrow the British Crown. Aimed to cripple the communist and trade union movement.
  • Trade Unions Act, 1926: Legalized registered trade unions, but also imposed certain restrictions on their activities.
  • Trade Disputes Act, 1929:
    • Provisions: Established Courts of Inquiry and Boards of Conciliation for industrial disputes.
    • Provisions: Prohibited sympathetic strikes and strikes in public utility services without prior notice.
    • Significance: Aimed to curb industrial unrest, particularly large-scale communist-led strikes, by making strikes illegal under certain conditions.
  • Workers' and Peasants' Parties (WPPs) emerged from 1925 (e.g., Labour Swaraj Party of Bengal, 1925).
  • By 1927, provincial WPPs were active in Bengal, Bombay, Punjab, and the United Provinces.
  • The All-India Workers' and Peasants' Party was formally constituted in December 1928, unifying the provincial bodies.
  • Objective of WPPs: To operate as a legal leftwing bloc within the Indian National Congress, aiming to radicalize it towards a more revolutionary and mass-based movement.
  • Link to CPI: WPPs served as legal fronts/ cover for the Communist Party of India (CPI), especially during periods of repression against open communist activity. Many key CPI leaders also held prominent positions in WPPs.
  • WPPs actively organized industrial workers through trade unions and peasants through kisan sabhas.
  • Their growing influence led to significant worker strikes and peasant agitations across India.
  • The British government perceived WPPs as a communist front, leading to the Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929), where 32 WPP/Communist leaders were arrested, severely impacting the movement.
  • Godavari Parulekar, a prominent Communist leader, played a crucial role in organizing the Warli tribal revolt in Maharashtra.
  • On 23rd May 1945, Godavari Parulekar addressed aboriginals (Warlis) at Zari in Umbargaon Taluka, advocating for the abolition of forced labor (vethbegari).

Splits and ideological debates within the Communist movement in the pre-independence era

  • The Communist movement in pre-independence India experienced ideological debates regarding strategies for national liberation, relationship with the Indian National Congress, and the role of the working class.
  • Post-independence, significant ideological and political differences deepened within the Communist Party of India (CPI).
  • These differences were exacerbated by international events like the Sino-Soviet split and the domestic fallout of the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
  • The internal ideological schism within the CPI, primarily between a 'right' and a 'left' faction, led to a major split.
  • The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M or CPM) emerged as a separate political party in 1964.

The trajectory of the trade union movement immediately after independence

  • The immediate post-independence period witnessed a fragmentation of the trade union movement along political lines.
  • Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC): Formed in May 1947 by Congress members (e.g., Vallabhbhai Patel, Gulzarilal Nanda) to counter the growing Communist influence in labour and to align with the Congress Party's vision.
  • All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): The oldest trade union, it came increasingly under the influence of the Communist Party of India post-independence.
  • Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS): Established in December 1948 in Calcutta.
  • Founders of HMS (1948): Key figures included Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam, and G.G. Mehta, along with other socialists and Forward Bloc members (e.g., R.S. Ruikar, Sibnath Banerjee).
  • HMS was formed by socialists who sought an independent trade union movement, separate from both the Communist-dominated AITUC and the Congress-affiliated INTUC.
  • United Trade Union Congress (UTUC): Formed in April 1949 by Leftists, Revolutionary Socialists, and independent trade unionists who were disillusioned with the policies of both AITUC and HMS.
  • N.M. Joshi: A pioneer of the Indian trade union movement, he was a key figure in the establishment of AITUC (1920) and later formed the All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF) in 1929 after splitting from AITUC, advocating for an independent labour movement.

26. Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

Practice MCQs: Trade Union and Communist Party

British government's repressive measures: Kanpur and Meerut Conspiracy Cases

  1. Muzaffar Ahmad, S.A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani and Nalini Gupta were jailed for which conspiracy ?

    Asked in: UKPSC CS Prelims 2012

    1. Kakori train heist
    2. Chittagong Armoury raid
    3. Meerut conspiracy case
    4. Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case

    Muzaffar Ahmad, S.A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, and Nalini Gupta were key figures in the early communist movement in India. They were among the accused in the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case of 1924. This case was instituted by the British government against early Indian communists for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the British government and establish a communist state, influenced by Bolshevik ideas.

  2. Who among the following was NOT associated with the Kanpur Conspiracy Case of 1924?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 1 2015 · UPPCS Prelims 2021

    1. Muzaffar Ahmad
    2. Nalini Gupta B. the landless peasants rose up in arms against the landlords
    3. it witnessed violent anti-Hindi agitation
    4. Silk weavers' cooperative was formed for the first time in India
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Muzaffar Ahmad

    Pochampally is historically significant as the location where the Bhoodan movement, a key post- independence social movement focused on voluntary land reform, originated. C. Shaukat Usmani D. M.A. Ansari Ans: D The Kanpur Conspiracy Case (1924) was a controversial court case initiated by the British Indian government against a number of newly emerging communist leaders of India. Those accused included S.A. Dange, M.N. Roy (in absentia), Muzaffar Ahmad, Shaukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta, and Singaravelu Chettiar. M.A. Ansari was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and not involved in communist activities targeted by this case.

  3. Who among the following were jailed in the Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case in 1924 ?

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2019

    1. Muzaffar Ahmad, S. A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta
    2. Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Usmani
    3. S. A. Dange and S. V. Ghate
    4. Muzaffar Ahmad and S. S. Mirajkar
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Muzaffar Ahmad, S. A. Dange, Shaukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta

    - The case targeted prominent early communists in India. - The objective was to suppress the burgeoning communist movement.

  4. The Meerut Conspiracy Case, in which 27 accused persons were defended by Jawaharlal Nehru and K.N. Katju, related to the members of the

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2019

    1. Ghadar Party
    2. Hindu Mahasabha
    3. Indian National Congress
    4. Communist Party of India
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Communist Party of India

    The case targeted the rising communist movement in India, aimed at suppressing its influence and activities.

Communist Party's evolving stand during World War II and the Quit India Movement

  1. What was the Dutt-Bradley thesis?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2019

    1. The Working Committee of the Indian Nation‐ al Congress decided that Congress should play a crucial role in realising the independence of India
    2. The Socialist party decided to play foremost part in anti-imperialist struggle
    3. Revolutionary socialist Batukeshwar Dutt put forth a ten-point plan to work for the success of anti-imperialist front
    4. It was a Communist party document, accord‐ ing to which the National Congress could play a great part and a foremost part in realising the anti-imperialist people’s front
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It was a Communist party document, accord‐ ing to which the National Congress could play a great part and a foremost part in realising the anti-imperialist people’s front

    The Dutt-Bradley thesis was a Communist party document that analysed the role of the Indian National Congress in the anti-imperialist movement and advocated for unity with it.

  2. Which organization passed the following resolution in 1940 ? "India should not take part in a war which will neither bring freedom or democracy, nor will the workers benefit in any way from it."

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2013

    1. Indian National Congress
    2. Muslim League
    3. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
    4. Hindu Mahasabha
    Show answer

    Answer: C. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

    The quote emphasizes that the war would "neither bring freedom or democracy" nor benefit the workers. This aligns with the stance taken by the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), particularly in the initial phase of World War II (which started in 1939), viewing it as an imperialist conflict. The AITUC, influenced by socialist and communist ideologies, was concerned with the welfare of workers and linked it directly to political freedom and the nature of the war.

Establishment and early activities of the Communist Party of India (CPI)

  1. Where was founded the Communist Party of India in 1920 ?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2016

    1. Moscow
    2. Bombay
    3. Tashkent
    4. Hong Kong
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Tashkent

    - A group of Indian revolutionaries including M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherji, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Shafiq Siddiqui, and others met in Tashkent (then in Soviet Union, now Uzbekistan) in October 1920 to form the Communist Party of India (CPI). - This founding occurred shortly after the Second Congress of the Communist International held in Moscow.

  2. Where was the Communist Party of India established in 1920?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2016

    1. Moscow
    2. Mumbai
    3. Tashkent
    4. Hong Kong
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Tashkent

    - The initial formation of the Communist Party of India took place in Tashkent in October 1920. - Key figures involved in this founding included M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherji, and others who were influenced by the Russian Revolution and the Communist International.

  3. Annabhau Sathe used the following means to spread the Communist Ideology.

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2021

    1. Drama
    2. Storytelling
    3. Batawani
    4. Kala Pathak
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Kala Pathak

    Annabhau Sathe was a prominent figure in the Indian Communist movement and utilized various forms of folk art to reach the masses and propagate his political and social messages. He was deeply involved with "Kala Pathaks" or cultural troupes, most notably the Lal Bawta Kala Pathak (Red Flag Cultural Troupe). These troupes performed dramas (Loknatya), narrated stories (including Powadas - ballads), and used music and performance (which Batawani can relate to) as vehicles for spreading awareness about social injustices, caste oppression, and Communist ideals. While drama and storytelling were specific forms, Kala Pathak represents the organized method through which he delivered these.

  4. In which of the Indian Provinces the first Communist Government was established?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2010

    1. Tamilnadu
    2. Andra Pradesh
    3. Kerala
    4. West Bengal
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Kerala

    In the 1957 general elections, the Communist Party of India (CPI) won a majority in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. This led to the formation of the first democratically elected communist government in the world, with E.M.S. Namboodiripad as the Chief Minister.

  5. Who was the founder of the All India Communist Party (AICP) in 1924?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2021

    1. Satyabhakta
    2. C.R. Das
    3. M. N. Roy
    4. N. D. Majumdar
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Satyabhakta

    While M.N. Roy was a pioneer of the communist movement from outside India, the first organized attempt to form a communist party within India occurred in 1924 in Kanpur by a man named Satyabhakta. He declared the formation of the 'Communist Party of India' in Kanpur.

  6. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists : List – I | List – II ------- | -------- A. Congress Socialist Party | (i) Deendayal Upadhyay B. Communist Party of India | (ii) A.K. Gopalan C. Bharatiya Jansangh | (iii) Acharya Narendra Dev D. Swatantra Party | (iv) C. Rajgopalachari Code : A B C D (1) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (2) (iv) (iii) (ii) (i) (3) (iv) (ii) (iii) (i) (4) (iii) (ii) (i) (iv)

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. (1)
    2. (2)
    3. (3)
    4. (4)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. (4)

    d-2022 Accurate association of key figures with their respective political parties is crucial for answering this question.

  7. Ǔनम्नͧलͨखित में से उत्तराखिण्डि किे ͩकिस राजनेता ने भारतीय किम्युǓनस्Š पाŠर्टी किा प्रǓतǓनͬधत्वि ͩकिया ?

    Asked in: Data Entry Operator 2023

    1. lविद्यासागरि नौlटयाल
    2. सोबन lसंह Kीना
    3. इन्द्रमlR बड़ोनी
    4. गगन lसंह रिाKविारि
    Show answer

    Answer: C. इन्द्रमlR बड़ोनी

    This question asks to identify a politician from Uttarakhand who was associated with the Indian Communist Party. Indramani Badoni is the correct individual.

Formation of organised trade unions: Madras Labour Union and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

  1. Who among the following created the first All India Trade Union Congress in 1920?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2020

    1. B. P. Wadia
    2. S. A. Dange
    3. N. M. Joshi
    4. B. T. Ranadive
    Show answer

    Answer: C. N. M. Joshi

    AITUC was a significant milestone in the organized labour movement in India, bringing together various trade unions under a single national umbrella.

  2. Which one among the following was India's first trade union in the proper sense of the term?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2020

    1. Bombay Labour Union
    2. Ahmedabad Labour Union
    3. Madras Labour Union
    4. Allahabad Labour Union
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Madras Labour Union

    Prior to the Madras Labour Union, there were various sporadic efforts and associations focused on labour welfare, but they lacked the systematic organization and structure characteristic of a modern trade union.

  3. Who had presided over the inaugural session of the 'All India Trade Union Congress' held in 1920?

    Asked in: CGPSC Prelims Exam 2020

    1. Lala Lajpat Rai
    2. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
    3. Bipin Chandra Pal
    4. Surendra Nath Banerjee
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Lala Lajpat Rai

    Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, presided over the inaugural session of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) held in Bombay in 1920.

  4. Which of the following statement(s) is(are) correct regarding the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)?

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2018

    1. Only 1 and 2
    2. Only 2 only
    3. Only 1 and 3
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only 1 and 2

    It was founded during the Non-Cooperation Movement. Lala Lajpat Rai was its first elected president. Indian National Congress opposed its formation. AITUC was the first national-level trade union in India, formed to protect the interests of Indian workers and represent them on international platforms.

  5. Who among the following was not associated with Trade Union Movement ?

    Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2016

    1. M. N. Joshi
    2. Dewan Chaman Lal
    3. Swami Sahajanand
    4. V. V. Giri
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Swami Sahajanand

    N. M. Joshi (often referred to as M. N. Joshi) and Dewan Chaman Lal were among the founders of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in

  6. V. V. Giri was also a veteran trade unionist before entering politics and becoming President of India. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati founded the All India Kisan Sabha in 1936, focusing on peasant rights and anti-feudal struggles. 19. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the first pan-India trade union recently completed 100 years. Who among the following contributed to the formation of AITUC? 1. Lala Lajpat Rai 2. Bal Gangadhar Tilak 3. Joseph Baptista 4. N.M. Joshi 5. Diwan Chaman Lall Choose the correct code :

    Asked in: PPSC CS Prelims 2021

    1. Only 1, 4 and 5
    2. Only 1, 3 and 4
    3. Only 1, 3, 4 and 5
    4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

    Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Joseph Baptista, N.M. Joshi, and Diwan Chaman Lall were all prominent figures involved in the Indian labour movement and were instrumental in or associated with the formation and early activities of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920.

  7. Choose the correct answer from the codes given below : Assertion (A) : The Indian National Movement reached its crescendo in the non- co-operation movement in 1920-22. It was in this context that there occurred a resurgence of working class activity in the years 1920-22. The working class created its own organisation to defend its class rights. Reason (R) : Lokamanya Tilak was one of the moving spirits in the formation of AITUC. AITUC was formed in 1920.

    Asked in: TNPSC CS Prelims 2015

    1. Both (A) and (R) are correct
    2. (A) alone is correct
    3. (R) alone is correct
    4. (A) is partly correct (R) wrong
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are correct

    Assertion (A) correctly identifies the period 1920-22 (the height of the Non-Co-operation Movement) as a time of significant working-class activity and the formation of their own organizations. Reason (R) provides a specific example of this by stating that the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920 and that Lokamanya Tilak was instrumental in its formation. Both statements are historically accurate. The question asks only if the statements are correct, not about the relationship between them.

Growth of communist influence in the trade union movement (1920s-1930s)

  1. Directions : The following five (5) items consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the code given below. Statement I : 35. The Communists left the All India Trade Union Congress in 1931. Statement II : By 1928, the Communists were no longer working with the mainstream national movement.

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2017

    1. Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
    2. Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
    3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
    4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

    - Statement I: The Communists, who had gained influence in the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), split from it in 1929 following ideological differences and formed the Red Trade Union Congress (RTUC). While the initial split was in 1929, by 1931, they were clearly operating as a separate entity outside AITUC. - Statement II: By the late 1920s, influenced by Comintern directives and their own analysis of the Indian situation, the Communists adopted a more independent and critical stance towards the Indian National Congress and the mainstream national movement, viewing it as bourgeois. This distancing was evident around 1928-1929.

Interplay between the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party on labour issues

  1. Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : In a message to the Indian Labour Journal in November 1933, Jawahar Lal Nehru emphasized that both social and national struggles were basic and that in neither should a compromise be made. Reason R : He urged the working class to play its role in the anti-imperialist struggle. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

    Asked in: HAS Prelims 2022

    1. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
    2. Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
    3. A is correct but R is not correct.
    4. A is not correct but R is correct.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.

    Assertion A reflects Jawaharlal Nehru's consistent ideological stand that both social revolution and national independence were intertwined and equally fundamental, requiring uncompromising struggle. Reason R accurately states that Nehru urged the working class to participate in the anti-imperialist struggle. This urging of the working class, who represented a significant part of the "social" aspect, to join the "national" struggle explains why Nehru emphasized that compromise should be made in neither struggle, as both were essential and mutually reinforcing.

  2. Assertion (A): The effect of labour participation in the Indian nationalist upsurge of the early 1930 s was weak. Reason (R): The labour leaders considered the ideology of Indian National Congress as bourgeois and reactionary.

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2002

    1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
    2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
    3. A is true but R is false
    4. A is false but R is true
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

    - Assertion (A) is true: During the Civil Disobedience Movement (early 1930s), the participation of the organized labour movement was generally less significant and unified compared to some other periods of nationalist struggle. While there were strikes and protests, they were often localized or not fully integrated into the main Congress-led movement. - Reason (R) is true: Many labour leaders, particularly those with socialist or communist leanings who led prominent unions, held reservations about the ideology of the Indian National Congress, viewing it as primarily representing the interests of the bourgeoisie and not sufficiently committed to radical social and economic change for the working class.

Key early communist and labour leaders: M.N. Roy, S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed

  1. Which of the following sentences is correct ? First sentence : M.N. Roy was the leader of the Liberal Party. Second sentence : M.N. Roy was the leader of the Radical Democratic Party.

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2021

    1. First sentence is correct.
    2. Second sentence is correct.
    3. Both sentences are correct.
    4. Both sentences are incorrect.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Second sentence is correct.

    - M.N. Roy was a key figure in the Indian communist movement and a proponent of radical humanism. - He founded the Radical Democratic Party in 1940. - The Liberal Party in India was a different political group.

  2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List-I List-II (Individual) (Organization)

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2012

    1. Bhagat Singh 1. Congress
    2. Swami 2. Hindustan Socialist Re‐ Sahajananda public Association 3. All India Trade Union
    3. G. K. Gokhale Congress
    4. S. A. Dange 4. All India Kisan Sabha Code : A. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3 B. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 C. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2 D. A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Bhagat Singh 1. Congress

    Knowledge of prominent personalities of the Indian independence movement and their associated organizations is essential.

  3. Who among the following was NOT a Communist leader in colonial India ?

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2015

    1. P. C. Roy
    2. S. A. Dange
    3. Muzaffar Ahmad
    4. Singaravelu
    Show answer

    Answer: A. P. C. Roy

    Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy (1861-1944) was a distinguished Bengali chemist, educationist, historian, industrialist, and nationalist. He was known for his pioneering work in chemistry and his efforts to promote Indian industries (Swadeshi enterprise). While he was a prominent figure in the nationalist movement, he was not associated with the Communist movement.

  4. W ho formed the Radical Democratic Party in 1940 ?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2011 · UPPSC Upper Mains 2007

    1. Indrasen
    2. M. N. Roy
    3. Somendranath Tagore
    4. Shachindranath Sanyal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. M. N. Roy

    Manabendra Nath Roy, a renowned Marxist theorist and revolutionary, formed the Radical Democratic Party in 1940. The party was founded based on Roy's ideas of radical humanism and his support for the Allied cause in World War II, which was contrary to the stance of the Indian National Congress at the time.

  5. The theory of Radical Humanism was put forth by

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2022

    1. Subhas Chandra Bose
    2. M.N. Roy
    3. Karl Marx
    4. Nehru
    Show answer

    Answer: B. M.N. Roy

    Manabendra Nath Roy (M.N. Roy) was a prominent Indian revolutionary, radical activist, and political theorist. He founded the Communist Party of Mexico and the Communist Party of India (Tashkent group). Later in his life, he developed his own philosophy known as Radical Humanism.

Origins of the Labour Movement in Colonial India (late 19th - early 20th century)

  1. Who among the following founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association?

    Asked in: APSC CCE Prelims Exam 2016

    1. Mahatma Gandhi
    2. J.B. Kripalani
    3. N.M. Joshi
    4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Mahatma Gandhi

    Following the successful intervention and leadership during the 1918 Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Gandhi helped organize the workers into a strong union based on the principles of non-violence and arbitration.

  2. Who among the following was not a woman labour leader who organised workers in the strikes in the 1920s ?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2022

    1. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani
    2. Ushabai Dange
    3. Prabhabati Devi
    4. Anasuya Behn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Prabhabati Devi

    Anasuya Behn Sarabhai was a pioneer labour leader in India, notably organizing textile workers in Ahmedabad in the late 1910s and 1920s. Ushabai Dange, wife of S.A. Dange, was also active in the communist-led trade union movement in the 1920s and beyond. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, while primarily known for her nationalist and social reform activities, also had some involvement in social and labour-related work, though perhaps less focused on organizing specific strikes in the 1920s compared to others. Prabhabati Devi, likely referring to Prabhabati Devi, wife of Jayaprakash Narayan, was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and social work but is not widely documented as a labour leader who specifically organized workers in strikes during the 1920s in the same context as the other options.

  3. Who among the following was the first leader to organize labour movement in India?

    Asked in: MPPSC CS Prelims 2017

    1. B. P. Walia
    2. Lala Lajpat Rai
    3. N. M. Lokhande
    4. N. G. Ranga
    Show answer

    Answer: C. N. M. Lokhande

    Narayan Meghaji Lokhande is widely regarded as a pioneer of the labour movement in India. He started organizing textile mill workers in Bombay in the late 19th century and founded the Bombay Mill Hands' Association in 1890, which is often considered the first labour organization in India. Although not a formal trade union in the modern sense, it addressed grievances and advocated for improved working conditions.

  4. In 1918 A. D., who advised to the Mumbai workers to establish the organization 'People's Union' ?

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2023

    1. Rajashree Shahu Maharaj
    2. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
    3. Narayan Meghaji Lokhande
    4. Bhai Madhavrao Bagal
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Rajashree Shahu Maharaj

    Rajashree Shahu Maharaj (Chhatrapati Shahu of Kolhapur) was a significant social reformer who extended his reformist zeal beyond his kingdom, supporting the upliftment of backward classes and workers. Historical accounts suggest that in 1918-1919, he advised workers in Bombay (Mumbai) to organize themselves and form unions or associations, potentially including the 'People's Union' (or similar bodies), to fight for their rights and improve their working conditions.

  5. Who of the following was sent as representative of labourers by the Indian Government in the Washington Summit of I.L.O. in the year 1919?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2020

    1. V.P. Wadia
    2. N.M. Joshi
    3. C.F. Andrews
    4. Joseph Baptista
    Show answer

    Answer: B. N.M. Joshi

    N.M. Joshi (Narayan Malhar Joshi), a prominent figure in the early Indian trade union movement, was sent as the representative of labourers from India to the first International Labour Conference held in Washington D.C. in 1919, following the establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

  6. Consider the following statements : 1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions. 2. N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

    Asked in: UPSC IAS 2017

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 2 only

    - The Factories Act of 1881 was a nascent attempt to regulate factory conditions, mainly for children. - N.M. Lokhande played a crucial early role in organizing Indian industrial workers.

  7. During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2003

    1. To review the fitness of India for further political reforms
    2. To report on the existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations
    3. To draw up a plan for financial reforms for In‐ dia
    4. To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India
    Show answer

    Answer: B. To report on the existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations

    The Whitley Commission, officially the Royal Commission on Labour in India, was appointed in 1929 and submitted its report in 1931. Chaired by John Henry Whitley, its primary mandate was to investigate and report on the conditions of industrial labour in India and suggest improvements, covering aspects like wages, working hours, living conditions, trade unions, and industrial relations.

Post-World War II surge in labour unrest and communist activities

  1. Indian Railways strike of 1974 is a saga of heroism of ordinary railway workers and the biggest strike in the history of Indian Railways. The President of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) and the main leader of the strike was

    Asked in: KPSC KAS Prelims 2015

    1. Jayaprakash Narayan
    2. George Fernandes
    3. Jagjivan Ram
    4. Narendra Desai
    Show answer

    Answer: B. George Fernandes

    The 1974 railway strike, which lasted for about 20 days, was one of the largest industrial actions in independent India. Workers demanded better wages, working conditions, and bonus. The government under Indira Gandhi suppressed the strike forcefully.

  2. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List I List II

    Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2022

    1. Total Revolution 1. George Fernandes
    2. Garibi Hatao 2. Jaya Prakash Narayan
    3. Shah Commis‐ 3. Indira Gandhi sion 4. Janata Party Govern‐
    4. Railway Strike ment Code : A. A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1 B. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1 C. A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2 D. A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Garibi Hatao 2. Jaya Prakash Narayan

    This question tests knowledge of significant events and associated personalities/entities in modern Indian history and politics.

Prominent industrial strikes and their socio-political significance

  1. Who of the following led the historic strike of workers of B.N.C. Mill, Rajnandgaon in 1920 ?

    Asked in: CGPSC Prelims Exam 2014

    1. Pt. Sundarlal Sharma
    2. Thakur Pyarelal Singh
    3. Krantikumar Bharatiya
    4. Barrister Chhedilal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Thakur Pyarelal Singh

    - Thakur Pyarelal Singh was a prominent freedom fighter, social worker, and labor leader from Chhattisgarh. - He organized the workers of the Bengal Nagpur Cotton (B.N.C.) Mill in Rajnandgaon and led their significant strike in 1920, which was one of the early and important labor movements in the region.

  2. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for

    Asked in: UPSC IAS 2017

    1. the participation of workers in the management of industries.
    2. arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.
    3. an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.
    4. a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.

    The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 was enacted by the British government in India primarily to suppress trade union activities and restrict the right to strike. It introduced a system of Courts of Inquiry and Boards of Conciliation (acting as tribunals) for settling disputes and made strikes illegal in public utility services unless a mandatory notice period was given. It also declared sympathetic strikes illegal.

  1. Who gave a speech at the conference of aboriginals at Zari in Umbargaon Taluka on 23rd May, 1945 and asked them to end the practice of Forced Labour ?

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2020

    1. Kama Randive
    2. Godavari Parulekar
    3. Shamrao Parulekar
    4. Devji Tandel
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Godavari Parulekar

    - Godavari and Shamrao Parulekar were key leaders of the Adivasi peasant movement in the Thane district during the 1940s. - They actively campaigned against forced labour, exploitation, and other forms of oppression faced by tribal communities. - The period around 1945 saw significant mobilization and resistance led by them among the Warlis.

  2. Consider the following statements with reference to the Workers and Peasants Party: 1. The Workers and Peasants Party was formed in 1927 and was given the form of an All India Organisation. 2. The objective of this party was to work within the Congress so that it could be made a more revolution inclined party and an organisation of the common people. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2024

    1. Both 1 and 2
    2. Neither 1 nor 2
    3. Only 1
    4. Only 2
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only 2

    The Workers and Peasants Parties were early communist-leaning groups in India that attempted to build a broad-based movement by collaborating with the Congress while retaining their own distinct ideology.

Splits and ideological debates within the Communist movement in the pre-independence era

  1. When did Communist Party of India (Marxist) emerge a separate political party ?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2017

    1. 1960
    2. 1964
    3. 1968
    4. 1973
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 1964

    - The split in the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) occurred in 1964. - The differences arose due to various reasons, including ideological disputes influenced by the Sino-Soviet split, differing views on the Indian government's policies (particularly the Congress party), and approaches to international communist movements. - The faction that held more radical views and was critical of the Soviet Union's stand and the CPI's approach towards the Indian government formed the CPI(M).

  2. When was the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) formed ?

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2021

    1. 1956
    2. 1986
    3. 1946
    4. 1964
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1964

The trajectory of the trade union movement immediately after independence

  1. Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948 ?

    Asked in: UPSC IAS 2018

    1. B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George
    2. Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy
    3. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu
    4. Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Me‐ hta
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Me‐ hta

    HMS is one of the major trade union federations in India, formed after a split from the Hind Mazdoor Panchayat and the Indian National Trade Union Congress.

  2. Hind Mazdoor Sangh was founded by

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2016

    1. N.M. Joshi
    2. V.B.Patel
    3. G.L.Nanda
    4. Dadabhai Naoroji
    Show answer

    Answer: C. G.L.Nanda

    The Hind Mazdoor Sangh (HMS) was founded on 24 December 1948 by socialists, Forward Bloc followers, and independent unionists. Prominent founders included Gulzarilal Nanda, Aruna Asaf Ali, Basawon Singh (Sinha), Acharya J.B. Kripalani, and others.