Lal salam to the martyrs of the great 1968 strike - Salutes to all those who faced sacrifices in that strike..

It was on 19^th September, 1968, that, the entire Central Government employees went on a glorious one day strike. The most important demands were Need Based Minimum Wage and Full Neutralisation of price rise, through payment of Dearness Allowance. The strike was a total success and undoubtedly a glorious chapter in the Indian Trade Union movement. The then Central Government, headed by Smt. Indira Gandhi, let loose severe repressions, including massive arrests, removal from service, suspensions, etc. Central Government employees lost their lives in police firing etc., in Mariani, Bongaigaon, Pathankot and Bikaner. ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) was invoked and para military troops were pressed into service, to crush the strike. However, it is important to note that, the Communist Party Government of Kerala, headed by comrade E.M.S. Namboodiripad, refused to crush the strike, using ESMA and Para-military forces. It should not be forgotten that many of the rights being enjoyed by us today, including prompt payment of Dearness Allowance to compensate the price rise, are the outcome of the heroic strike of 1968. Lal salam to the martyrs of the great 1968 strike. Salutes to all those who faced sacrifices in the strike.