Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said the directive of the Kerala High Court asking the State government to issue an order preventing government employees from taking part in strikes will have a far-reaching impact on trade union activities and individual rights.
Speaking after hoisting a flag in connection with the CPI(M)‘s 23rd Party Congress here on Tuesday, Mr. Balakrishnan said the court order barring government employees from participating in the two-day nationwide strike was a throw-back to the days of the Emergency period.
He recalled that the strikes and struggles had led to meaningful systemic changes in the country. During the pre-Independence era, labourers without permission had carried out protests against the Britishers. Even then the judiciary were at odds with the interests of the working class, Mr. Balakrishnan said.
“Denial of the right to protest is a challenge to democracy,” he said.
The CPI(M) leader said that such court verdicts would not only affect the national strike but also the employees’ right to strike if there was a problem with pay rise and benefits.
He said the government had announced ‘dies non’ as per the direction of the High Court. The government employees had a new challenge and they had the right to question it, he said.
Mr. Balakrishnan said that protesters should not block vehicles during the strike. People should come forward and take part in the strike. There was more participation in the strike than ever before, he added.
