BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 30th March 2025: A state-level convention was held at Agartala Town Hall today to rally support for the countrywide general strike scheduled for May 20 called by 10 central trade unions, federations and various organizations. The event saw the participation of CITU state president and former minister Manik Dey and state general secretary Shankar Prasad Datta.
Addressing the gathering, CITU state general secretary Datta remarked, “When you speak against the government, you are speaking against Sanatan Dharma. You are speaking against the state. Some say you are speaking against Hinduism.” He emphasized the collective decision of the unions and organizations to strike based on 17 demands, stating, “Preparations have started across the country to make the countrywide general strike on May 20 a success.”
CITU state president Dey criticized the government, asserting, “The current government has not led the country towards development with all, but towards destruction with all.” Highlighting the plight of workers, he said, “Economists have found that workers receive a daily wage of Rs 203 to 242. It is not known whether the Modi government’s family and Nirmala Sitharaman are running on this money, but the workers’ families are not.” He added, “The condition of women workers is even worse.”
Dey further pointed out economic disparities, stating, “Seventy percent of the country’s wealth has gone to the hands of 5% of the people, who have become rich thanks to the grace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.” He accused the government of increasing poverty, saying, “Eighty to ninety percent of the country’s people are poor because their income is not in proportion to their needs.”
Criticizing the Labor Code Act, Dey said, “They are trying to implement this Labor Code unilaterally from next April to put pressure on the workers. Through this law, the right to organize, strike, and protest will be stopped.” He described the government’s actions as an effort to suppress workers’ rights, adding, “The Narendra Modi-led government has started the politics of division to break the unity of the people and the workers.”
Calling for collective action, Dey urged, “Only a mass uprising can break this. Therefore, workers must move forward in a mass movement.” The convention witnessed a noticeable presence of workers’ supporters, reflecting widespread concern over the issues discussed.
