In one of the biggest general strikes in history, on 26 November 2020, hundreds of millions of Indian workers and farmers protested against neo-liberal reforms by the country’s far-right government.
The workers’ strike was over quickly. But that day launched one of history’s biggest mass movements, Indian farmers’ struggle against agricultural reforms in the interests of giant corporations.
Six hundred protesters have died (mainly from camping out in harsh conditions, but some from violence) during this remarkable movement, the strongest and most sustained challenge to Modi’s regime so far.
It subsided somewhat during India’s vast Covid surge earlier this year, but since the summer has been rising again. The 26 November anniversary will see big mobilisations to renew the movement against Modi’s farm laws, with demonstrations, mass meetings of farmers, workers and supporters across the country and then an ongoing, gradually building protest outside the national parliament in Delhi.
When she spoke to us in mid-November, working-class activist Nodeep Kaur, imprisoned in January for leading precarious workers to demand their rights, stressed the significance of 26 November and the importance of international solidarity.
• Nodeep Kaur will be speaking by Zoom at our “Building A New Left” event on 27 November, at 3.30pm. Facebook event
• More here
