Throwback Sunday: When citizens took out morchas in Mumbai

Hundreds and thousands of farmers have marched to 'Delhi' in order to protest against the new farm laws introduced by the Central government. While the protest continues, Mumbai - the city of dreams has also witnessed innumerable protests; from farmer's protests to mill worker's protests and even caste-based protests. Here are some morchas Mumbai has witnessed over years.

Updated On: 2019-08-22 04:22 PM IST

Throwback Sunday: When citizens took out morchas in Mumbai

As per the general definition, A general strike (or mass strike) is a strike action in which a substantial proportion of the total labour force in a city, region, or country participates. All pics/mid-day archives

General strikes are characterised by the participation of workers in a multitude of workplaces and tend to involve entire communities. General strikes first occurred in the mid-19th century, and have characterised many historically important strikes.

Mumbai has witnessed urban protests for the past 20-25 years. The protests tried to define the nature of mass struggles within the city. Some also dealt with the violent history of the city.

Mumbai has witnessed farmers' protests, mill workers protests, working-class protests, and even caste-based protests.

Not just the common people, but Bollywood even celebrities including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, and Sunil Dutt have come out for a peace march on the streets of Mumbai.

The Great Bombay textile strike was a textile strike called on January 18, 1982 by the mill workers of Bombay under trade union leader Dutta Samant.

The purpose of the strike was to obtain a bonus and an increase in wages. Nearly 2,50,000 workers and more than 50 textile mills went on strike in Bombay.

The majority of the over 80 mills in Central Mumbai closed during and after the strike, leaving more than 1,50,000 workers unemployed. The textile industry in Mumbai has largely disappeared, reducing labour migration after the strike.

Apart from that, there were strikes based on communities, castes, and workplaces. A man being dragged by policemen during Rasta Roko at Bandstand near Girgaum Chowpatty in February 1996.

The Azad Maidan in south Mumbai was where most of the protests were held or concluded. Post-1947, the maidan has also been the venue for labour movements which were led by Shiv Sena.

In picture: BEST Morcha from Mumbai museum to Headquarters on June 20, 1994

Lawyers organised a peaceful protest against Kiran Bedi. Bedi was already in Indira Gandhi's good books. Rajiv Gandhi also did not sack her despite a huge protest by lawyers in Delhi for a lathicharge which she had ordered on them.

Scenes during Hawkers Union Morcha in 1996. The Bombay Hawker's Union is a trade union that has a large number of hawkers on its membership roll.

Paramilitary Forces march pass parade from V.T to Bhindi Bazaar, JJ Nagpada, and Agripada due to by-election.

Police stop an activist which they were going to do Rasta Roko in front of the domestic Airport, Santacruz. The auto guys tried to enter the airport forcibly and the drama ended in a lathi charge.

Maharashtra Bar and Restaurant ladies employees Union took out a morcha to Mantralaya in 1996.

In picture: Tribal Morcha at Girgaum Chowpatty.

In picture: CPI worker arrested on August 1994.

In picture: Police arrested ABVP activists who rushed inside Mantralaya.

In picture: Extra platoon brought to BDD chawl.

Next Gallery

IN PHOTOS: People in Mumbai celebrate Gauri Puja during Ganeshotsav

Related Photos