Skip to main content

Century mill workers' 656-day-old struggle continues: Demand to control unit

By A Representative
The Shramik Janata Sangh (SJS), led by top Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar, claiming to be representing the 1,000-odd workers of the Century Mills, closed since October 17, 2017, has said that the mill owners have been eyeing on selling its assets, which are worth Rs 2.5 billion, adding, the workers' struggle to reopen the mill and run it under their control would continue.
Pointing out that the continuation of the 656-day satyagraha and the 388-day relay fast suggest that the workers are in no mood to take voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) suggested by the five registered trade unions in alliance with the management, SJS said, these unions represent not more than 10% of the mill workforce, and majority of workers are fighting for their right to employment.
According to SJS, "Thanks to a Madhya Pradesh High Court order, Century workers are getting salary every month%. It added, "They are struggling for employment. The Madhya Pradesh High Court in its February 6, 2019 order has said that the mills should be transferred to the workers, yet the management is disregarding it."

Comments

TRENDING

Neville Cardus: The man who turned cricket writing into poetry

By Harsh Thakor*  Neville Cardus was one of the most remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century. A prolific English writer and critic, he achieved distinction in two vastly different fields: cricket and classical music. Entirely self-taught, Cardus rose from humble beginnings to become both the cricket correspondent and chief music critic of The Manchester Guardian . His achievements in these contrasting disciplines earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the foremost critics of his generation. In February 2025, the cricketing and literary world marked the fiftieth anniversary of his death, which occurred in February 1975.

​Ideological shifts and structural realities within India's left-wing insurgency

​By Harsh Thakor*  The Maoist insurgency in India is arguably at its weakest point since the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2004. Years of sustained counterinsurgency operations, leadership losses, shrinking territorial influence, declining recruitment, and growing technological advantages enjoyed by the state have significantly eroded the movement's operational capabilities. 

Garba on the tarmac and other lessons in tourist arrogance

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat    A video of a group of Indian tourists, reportedly from Gujarat, performing Garba on the airport tarmac in Vietnam has gone viral on social media. The group, consisting of men and women, was seen dancing in front of their aircraft, making considerable noise, ignoring instructions from airport staff, and disrupting the boarding process for other passengers. The incident triggered widespread criticism online. Many viewers expressed outrage and began recalling similar episodes in which Indian tourists have displayed a disregard for local norms, civic behaviour, and public etiquette while travelling abroad.