FEBRUARY

February 1-7, 2008
INDIA ACTION WEEK AGAINST TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN FOR FORCED LABOUR
The Action Week was organised by Bachpan Bachao Andolan along with its partners in 11 states to identify and rescue child workers, provide for their statutory rehabilitation and file cases against employers and traffickers under relevant laws.
Articles:
Kothari, Smitu (1985). 'There's Blood on those Matchsticks: Child Labour in Sivakasi', Economic and Political Weekly, June 25.
Books:
Kanbargi, Ramesh (1991). Child Labour in the Indian Sub-Continent: Dimensions and Applications, New Delhi: Sage Publishers.
Burra, Neera (1995). Born to Work: Child Labour in India, Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Human Rights Watch (1996). The Small Hands of Slavery: Bonded Child Labor in India, New York: Human Rights Watch.
Films:
Kutty Japanin Kuzhandaigal (Children of Mini Japan) (1991, 60 min), Directed by: Chelam Bennurkar
Muthurasu (2005, 24 min), Directed by: T. Amuthan
Stolen Childhoods (2005, 85 min), Directed by: Len Morris and Robin Romano
Tragedy Buried in Happiness (2007, 25 min), Shot by: Taegu Broadcasting Corporation
Websites:
www.bba.org.in/news/010208.php#1
www.thesouthasian.org/archives/cat_children.html
http://infochangeindia.org/200311213147/Children/Stories-of-change/Bachpan-Bachao-Andolan-leads-crusade-to-eradicate-child-labour.html
www.indianembassy.org/policy/Child_Labor/childlabor.htm
[For more on child workers, see December 23]

February 2, 2001
POLICE FIRING ON DEMONSTRATORS IN TAPKARA, JHARKHAND
The struggle against the Koel-Karo dam is one of the longest and most successful in modern India. It began in 1973 and became the centre of growing state-Adivasi conflict. Eight community members participating in a demonstration were killed when the police opened fire on a peaceful public demonstration. The struggle became more determined and the Koel-Karo Jan Sangathan (Koel-Karo People's Movement) re-affirmed their unanimous opposition to the project.
Articles:
Bhatia, Bela (2001). 'Against the Project', Frontline, Vol. 18, No. 5.
www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1805/18050460.htm)
Bhatia, Bela (2001). 'Resistance and Repression', Frontline, Vol. 18, No. 5.
(www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1805/18050430.htm)
Vasavi, A.R., Smitu Kothari and Savyasaachi (2009) 'Culture, Creative Opposition and Alternative Development: Sustaining Struggle in the Koel-Karo Valleys'. In Voices of Struggle. Social Movements in Asia, edited by Smitu Kothari, George Aditjandro and PM Laksano, New Delhi: Orient Blackswan.
Films:
Vikas Bandook Ki Naal Se (Development Flows from the Barrel of the Gun) (2003, 54 min), Directed by: Biju Toppo
Websites:
www.pucl.org/Topics/Industries-envirn-resettlement/2002/tapkara.htm - The Adivasi Struggle For Land Rights At Koel-Karo, Jharkhand: PUCL Report on Tapkara firing.
www.pucl.org/reports/Bihar/2001/tapkara-pr.htm
www.cpim.org/pd/2001/march04/march4_firing%20in%20Jharkhand.htm
www.truthindia.com/page76.html
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2001/02/93.shtml
www.narmada.org/related.issues/koel.karo/koel.karo.appeal.html

February 10, 1910
BHUMKAL (BASTAR) REBELLION AGAINST COLONIAL POLICIES
The Bhumkal Rebellion symbolised the struggle of Adivasis against an alien rule attempting to remould their pattern of life. While the rebellion was ultimately crushed by the British, post-British policy in Bastar was forced to be more sensitive to Adivasis and their way of life.
Books:
Shukla, H.L. (1991). Bhumkal, the Tribal Revolt in Bastar: The Story of Gundadhur and His Movement, Delhi: Sharada Publications.
________ (1992). The History of the People of Bastar: A Study in Tribal Insurgency, Delhi: Sharada Publications.
Websites:
http://chhattisgarh.nic.in/profile/bhumkal.htm
http://bhumkal.blogspot.com/

February 11-13, 1932
JHUNJHUNU JAT MAHASABHA ADHIVESHAN
A grand gathering of Jat farmers took place in Jhunjhunu to challenge the hegemony of the Rajput Jagirdars. At this gathering they added Singh to their names, claiming Kshatriya status and defying the monopoly of Rajputs over titles such as 'Sardar', 'Kunwar' and 'Thakur'.
Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thakur_Deshraj#Jhunjhunu_adhiveshan_.28conference.29_1932
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat_Mahasabha#Jhunjhunu_adhiveshan_1932
[For more on the Sekhawati Jat Movement, see January 22]

February 13, 2005
MAMMOTH FARMERS' RALLY AGAINST WTO MARKS GRAM SWARAJ DAY
Marking the 69th birth anniversary of former Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) president, Prof. M.D. Nanjundaswamy, a massive rally of farmers was taken out in Mysore to register their protest against the anti-farmer implications of the Indian government's role in the WTO. The gathering took an oath to establish Gram Swaraj, or village self-rule.
Websites:
http://newswire.indymedia.org/pt/2005/03/870363.shtml
www.hindu.com/2005/02/14/stories/2005021409900300.htm - 'Farmers Protest India Joining WTO', The Hindu, Monday, February 14, 2005.
[For more on farmers' protests against WTO, see March 19]

February 15, 1967
ALL BODO STUDENTS UNION FOUNDED IN ASSAM
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) was founded to unite the student community of Bodos in Assam. Two decades later ABSU went on to lead the agitation demanding a separate Bodo state to be carved out of Assam.
Articles:
Baruah, Sanjib (1994). ''Ethnic' Conflict as State-Society Struggle: The Poetics and Politics of Assamese Micro-Nationalism', Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 28, No. 3.
George, Sudhir Jacob (1994). 'The Bodo Movement in Assam: Unrest to Accord', Asian Survey, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 878-92.
_______ (2007). 'Separatist Strains', Frontline, Vol. 24, No. 10 (www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fline/fl2410/stories/20070601001709200.htm)
Books:
Dutta, P.S. (1993). Autonomy Movements in Assam: Documents, New Delhi: Omsons.
Pegu, Jadhav (2004). Reclaiming Identity: A Discourse on Bodo History, Kokrajhar: Jwngsar Narzary.
Website:
www.bodoland.org/absu.htm
www.bodolandcouncil.org/aboutus.htm
www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/memorandum_feb02.htm www.ipcs.org/agdb04-NDFB.pdf

February 16, 1992
8000 FISHERFOLK TAKE POSSESSION OF THE TATA OCCUPIED CHILIKA AREA IN ORISSA
Continuing their struggle to force the Tatas to leave the area and demanding that traditional fishing rights be returned to the fishing community of the region, the Tata occupied part of Chilika lake was captured by thousands of local fisherfolk. The Tatas withdrew in 1993.
[For more on the Chilika Movement, see September 20]

February 18, 1946
ROYAL INDIAN NAVY MUTINY BEGINS
The Mutiny was an uprising of sailors of the British Indian Navy protesting the treatment meted out to them as also the lack of proper services. Beginning in Bombay, it spread to Karachi, Cochin and Vishakapatnam. It lasted till February 24 when it was crushed by the British resulting in a massive loss of lives.
Books:
Singh, Satyindra (1986). Under Two Ensigns: The Indian Navy, 1945-1950, New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishers.
Bose, B. (1988). RIN Mutiny, 1946: Reference and Guide for All, New Delhi: Northern Book Centre.
Bhagwatkar, V. M. (1989). Royal Indian Navy Uprising and Indian Freedom Struggle, Amravati: Charvak Prakashan.
Das, D. K. (1993). Revisiting Talwar: A Study in the Royal Indian Navy Uprising of February 1946, Delhi: Ajanta Publications.
Bell, C.M. & B.A. Elleman (2003). Naval Mutinies of the Twentieth Century: An International Perspective, Cass Series: Naval Policy And History, London: Frank Cass.
Websites:
www.marxist.com/1946-rebellion-indian-navy150903-5.htm
www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020224/spectrum/main3.htm - Trewn, T.S. (2002). 'The Lesser-Known Mutiny', The Tribune, Sunday, February 24.
www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060212/spectrum/main2.htm - Bhatt, Dhananjaya (2006). 'RIN Mutiny Gave a Jolt to the British', The Tribune, Sunday, February 12.

February 20, 1987
MIZORAM FORMED AS A SEPARATE STATE OF THE UNION OF INDIA
Carved out of Assam, Mizoram became a new state in the Union of India. The surrender of the Mizo National Front was followed by the signing of a Peace Accord between the Government of India and Mizo National Front on June 20 1986.
Articles:
Upadhyay, R (2006). 'Mizoram  From Insurgence to Resurgence'.
(http://www.manipuronline.com/North-East/February2006/mizoram26_1.htm).
Websites:
http://mizoram.nic.in/about/history.htm

February 20, 2004
THOUSANDS DEMAND RETURN OF ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED VILLAGE LAND IN GHATEHA, MP
Under the banner of the Birsa Munda Bhumi Adhikar Manch (Birsa Munda Land Rights Forum), thousands of Adivasis demanded return of land that was taken from them and notified as Forest Land.
[For more on Ghateha land rights struggle, see March 15]

February 20, 2006 & 2008
DELHI PADYATRA LAUNCHED BY BHOPAL VICTIMS
The 800-km-long march from Bhopal to Delhi, undertaken in 2006 by Bhopal victims was repeated in 2008 as most promises made by the government were not fulfilled. The protestors staged a dharna in Delhi that lasted 4 months. It was called off only when the Centre made a formal announcement setting up an Empowered Commission and promised legal action on the civil and criminal liabilities of Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals.
Websites:
2006
www.bhopal.net/march/archives/2006/02/index.html
www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006032615010300.htm&date=2006/03/26/&prd=th& - 'Bhopal Victims March for Justice', The Hindu, Thursday, March 26, 2006
2008.
www.bhopal.net/march/padyatra2008_blog.html
http://towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/1251/1/
[For more on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and its aftermath, see December 3]

February 22, 1982
PANIDARI MOVEMENT AGAINST WATER TAX BEGINS IN BHAGALPUR, BIHAR
Fisherfolk, peasants and boatpersons rose against the exclusive commercial rights of 'panidars' to fish and run boats over an 80 km stretch from Sultanganj to Pirpainti in Bihar. The movement was also against the panidars charging them a water tax - known as panidari.
Articles:
Gyawali, Dipak. (1999). 'Institutional Forces Behind Water Conflict in the Ganga Plains', GeoJournal, Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 443-452.
Kothari, Smitu (2001). 'A Million Mutinies Now. Lesser-Known Environmental Movements', Humanscape, October.
Books:
Panos Institute (2004). Disputes over the Ganga: A Look at Potential Water-Related Conflicts in South Asia, Kathmandu: Panos Institute - South Asia.
Websites:
www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/1982
www.ben-center.org/rivers/RiverFarakkaConcern.htm
www.newint.org/issue280/update.htm

February 22, 2003
HUMAN CHAIN OF 10,000 PEOPLE SURROUND MALAMPUZHA DAM IN KERALA PROTECTING WATER FROM BEING SOLD TO VIVENDI
Resisting the move by the Kerala Government to divert water from the Malampuzha Dam for industrial purposes while water for irrigation and even drinking water was scarce, local communities organised a massive human chain surrounding the dam and preventing the sale of water to Vivendi, a private corporation.
Articles:
Krishnakumar, R. (2003). 'Rivers for Sale', Frontline, Vol. 20, No. 2 (www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2002/stories/20030131003204600.htm)
Films:
The Source of Life for Sale (2004, 58 min), Directed by: K.P. Sasi
About the film: http://infochangeindia.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=6257

February 24 March 29, 1920
40,000 STRIKE AT TATA IRON AND STEEL CO. IN JAMSHEDPUR
The decision to strike, the first by the workers of Tata Iron and Steel Co., was taken when management rejected the demands for a 50% wage increase, improvement of the grain stores and guarantee against abuse of Indian labour by European superiors. The strike was called off on March 29 after an unsatisfactory compromise, leading to a massive second strike in 1922.
Books:
Sharma, G.K. (1971). Labour Movement in India: Its Past and Present, New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Desai, A.R. (Ed.) (1988). Labour Movement in India: Documents, 1918-20, New Delhi: Indian Council for Historical Research.
Bahl, Vinay (1995). The Making of the Indian Working Class: The Case of Tata Iron and Steel Co., 1880-1946, New Delhi: Sage Publications.
Simeon, Dilip (1995). The Politics of Labour under Late Colonialism: Workers, Unions and the State in Chota Nagpur, 1928-1939, New Delhi: Manohar Publishers.
Articles:
Remesh, Babu P. 'Unsung Espisodes of 'Corporate Benevolence'': Chronicling the TISCO Workers' Struggles in the 1920s', Labour File. (www.labourfile.org/ArticleMore.aspx?ID=955)

February 25, 1997
PROTESTERS AGAINST UCIL BEGIN JAIL BHARO ANDOLAN IN JADUGUDA
Jaduguda, located in the mineral-rich Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, is the chief source of uranium in India. Due to the proximity of the mine to their settlements, a large number of villagers, mostly belonging to the Santhal, Munda and Ho tribes, suffer from a variety of serious health hazards intensifying their opposition to the mining activities of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).
Articles:
Jojo, Anil Kumar and C.J. Sonowal (2003). 'Radiation and Tribal Health in Jaduguda: The Contention between Science and Sufferings', Studies of Tribes and Tribals, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 111-126.
Bose, Tarun (2007). 'Challenging the Nuclear Heart: The Movement against Uranium Mining in Jharkhand'. In PM Laksono, Smitu Kothari and George Aditjandro (Eds.), Voices of Struggle: Social Movements in Asia, New Delhi: Orient Blackswan.
Movement Features (2000-2007), Kriti: New Delhi, Vol. I., No. i-vii, pp. 49.
Ludlam, Scott (2000). Nuclear India: A report on the No-Nukes Asia Forum 1999/ The Jaduguda Uranium Mine, Anti-Nuclear Alliance Western Australia (www.anawa.org.au/india/india.PDF).
Books:
Kothari, Smitu and Zia Mian, Out of the Nuclear Shadow, Delhi: Lokayan and Rainbow Publishers, and London: Zed Books, 2000; Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Films:
Buddha Weeps in Jaduguda (1999, 55 min), Directed by: Shri Prakash.
Websites:
www.Jaduguda.net/
www.johar.in
http://jharkhand.wordpress.com/
www.minesandcommunities.org/search.php?words=Jaduguda&r=927&order=date
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/sacw/saan/2006/JadugudaDec2006.html
www.ieer.org/fctsheet/uranium.html - Uranium: Its Uses and Hazards, IEER factsheet
www.ratical.org/radiation/WorldUraniumHearing/index.html - Poison Fire, Sacred Earth: Testimonies, Lectures, Conclusions: The World Uranium Hearing, Salzburg 1992

February 26, 1857
INDIAN SOLDIERS PROTEST AGAINST THE 'GREASED' CARTRIDGES GIVEN TO THEM
The new rifle introduced in the army of the East India Company, was rumored to use cartridges that were greased with lard (pork fat), which was regarded as unclean by Muslims, or by tallow (beef fat), regarded sacred by Hindus. Required to bite into these cartridges, Indian soldiers refused, setting off a chain of events that are referred to as the 1857Revolt.
Websites:
http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/docs/history/primarydocs/War%20of%201857/Indian%20Mutiny--Ch1/letter%2031.htm
[For more on 1857 Rebellion, see May 10]