Indian general strike of 2020-21

On 26 November 2020, a mass general strike was held across India. The strike was organized by 10 trade unions across the country and was supported by the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), farmers' mass organizations and other left-wing parties. The strike saw an estimated 250 million people involved, making it the largest in history.

The worker's unions presented a list of seven demands:

1. Direct cash transfer of Rs 7,500 (US $101) to all families who earn less than the income tax threshold
2. 10kg free grain ration per person every month to all in need.
3. Expansion of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to provide employment from the current 100 days to 200 days work in rural areas with enhanced wages, and extension of this programme to urban areas
4. Withdrawal of all anti worker labour code changes and anti-farmer laws
5. Stop privatization of public sector corporations, including those in the finance sector. Stop the corporatization of government-run manufacturing and services entities in railways, ordinance manufacturing, ports and similar areas.
6. Withdraw the draconian circular of forced premature retirement of government and public sector employees.
7. Provide a pension to all, restore earlier pension scheme and improve EPS 95.

Response of Government

The response from the Indian government has been one of apathy to the suffering of farmers as they braved the cold weather. Farmers have been left dissatisfied with the conditions reached at the end of each talk.

Harpal Singh, organizing secretary of non-partisan farmers' organization BKU(Chaduni) remarked upon observing the insincerity of the government despite the deaths of 60 farmers at the time :

“It seems like the Centre wants more farmers – martyrs – to lose their lives… only God knows how many are enough to make the government reconsider its position,”

As the Farmers' protests have remained persistent, they have been victims of mob attacks, internet shutdowns and silencing of supportive voices on the internet.