Telangana: Social Justice Campaign: Mobilising the Working Class for Change
S Veeraiah
IS there caste discrimination within the working class as well? Does gender discrimination still exist in modern society, despite women proving their talent in all fields? When the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) decided to conduct a survey on discrimination and harassment, some naturally raised these questions. It is not only prevalent in rural areas but also in urban settings. Does it occur only in the unorganised sector or is it also present in modern industries? After conducting the survey, all doubts were dispelled. Discrimination in modern industries is evident in various forms, and this issue has gained greater importance at a time when the central government is attempting to enforce the caste system and Manusmriti on the population. Discrimination that was expected to diminish in the modern world is still prevalent, supported by capitalists, and gaining momentum due to the policies adopted by the central government, BJP, and RSS.
In industries such as textiles, wherewomen are exempted from working night shifts in certain companies, male workers are now questioning whether they should have to work night shifts regularly.The Modi government's promotion of a manuvadi culture that considers women to be second-class citizens is harming social consciousness and solidarity with workers, and thus posing a threat to the unity of the working class. This is why the working class must not overlook the danger of social discrimination.
Discrimination exists everywhere, regardless of whether it is in rural or urban areas, and it is not related to education either. This is why the CITU Telangana committee and cadre observed ‘Social Justice Week’ from April 6-14. These dates hold significance as they mark important events. April 6th marks the death anniversaryof BT Ranadive, the founder and president of CITU and a stalwart of the trade union movement who recognised early on that caste could be a barrier to working-class unity. He wrote a leaflet titled "Caste-Class-Working Class Unity," which remains relevant and serves as a guide to us even today. April 10th is the birth anniversary of Vimal Ranadive, the first-generation working women leader. April 11th isthe birth anniversary of the great social reformer Jyotirao Phule, and April14th marks Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary. In their memory, all district committees observed these nine days as the ‘Social Justice Week’.
During the survey conducted among workers from various sectors, several shocking instances of caste and gender discrimination came to light. In response, wide-ranging campaigns were launched against these discriminatory practices. In many districts, a 10 km walk for justice was organised, with B V Raghavulu, former trade union leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, participating in the Hyderabad walk.
On B T Ranadive's death anniversary, 74 seminars were conducted in 27 districts, with 7,535 workers participating. On Jyotirao Phule's birth anniversary, 147 seminars were held in 17 districts, with 6,338 workers participating. On Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary, 252 seminars were conducted in 25 districts, with 19,879 workers participating.
The survey covered 16 districts, 101 industries, and 9,245 workers. In solidarity with the social justice movement, 21 districts collected a fund of Rs 2,65,000 from workers. Full-time workers, leaders, and cadre of CITU actively participated in these campaigns, and their efforts will inspire the working class toward greater unity.
Discrimination against women is prevalent in various forms in workplaces. For example, in Karimnagar district, female construction workers have directly questioned why there is still a difference in wages between men and women in their field. This practice of paying women less is deeply ingrained in the construction sector, and even male workers view it as normal and common. This discrimination is not limited to the construction industry or to rural areas, as it is also present in the state capital, Hyderabad. Women and dalit shop employees also face discrimination, as even if they are skilled and qualified, they are not given skilled work. For example, in garment shops, workers are paid a commission based on their sales, but women and SC workers are paid less commission. Modern industries are also guilty of paying less wages to women workers. Discrimination based on caste and religion is also prevalent, as seen in the case of Bhukya Hussain, a driver in RTC, whose Muslim identity initially secured him a house on rent but was asked to vacate after the landlord discovered his tribal background.
The capitalist class is exploiting and promoting social discrimination to further their profits and create divisions among the working class. This is evident in the increasing incidents of sexual harassment towards women, from the construction and sanitation sectors to modern industries. Women workers often feel helpless and are afraid to report harassment due to fear of losing their jobs or facing problems in their personal lives. In the municipal sector, workers are often harassed by jawans, who are primarily from BC communities, while sanitation workers are predominantly dalits.
In the unorganised sector, workers face several challenges, including the lack of access to toilets, which leads to frequent urinary infections. Additionally, middle-class colonies practice untouchability, where citizens refuse to give water in tumblers to workers, further perpetuating discrimination.
In towns and cities, it is unfortunate that discrimination based on caste, religion, and other social factors still plays a significant role in finding housing. Many house owners ask about their tenants' social status, and even if they are given a chance to rent, they are often forced to vacate the house once their social status is revealed. It is also common to see "only for vegetarians" boards, which are a form of discrimination. Even state government employees and teachers are not immune to this problem, and contract employees are particularly vulnerable. In the construction sector, it is not uncommon for non-dalit workers to distance themselves from dalit workers during lunch breaks. In government schools, there have been instances where parents have refused to allow dalit mid-day meal workers to cook and feed their children, which has led to clashes and police intervention.
In many villages, there is a new trend of provocating BCs against Ambedkar statues by the BJP and RSS leaders. Dalit auto drivers also face discrimination from passengers in some areas. However, there is a silver lining as the Medak district collector has taken the initiative to conduct village meetings to educate people against discrimination after hearing about the survey results.
A trade union campaign for social justice is mobilising and educating the working class, sparking serious discussions. However, some caste associations are questioning their role in this work. The capitalist class and bourgeois parties wish that only caste associations would speak about social justice. The BJP and RSS are openly supporting caste and gender discrimination in society and are trying to forcibly implement the manusmriti and its culture.
CITU's weekly celebrations for social justice have gained prominence in this context.When caste associations are organised, the interests of the respective castes and their leaders come to the forefront, leading to caste consciousness and strengthening the caste system. In contrast, when the working class organises campaigns against social discrimination, it develops class consciousness and promotes working-class unity. Caste and male supremacy are obstacles to working-class unity, so the working class must fight together against caste and gender discrimination and support the struggles against it. This is the message that the working class should take from this event.
