Nationalists and the Workers in the Early Phase**
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Early Nationalist Engagement with Workers:
- Initial Phase: In the early phase of the Indian nationalist movement, there was limited direct engagement with workers and their issues. The focus was primarily on political reforms, self-rule, and economic exploitation by colonial powers.
- Emergence of Worker Movements: The early 20th century saw the rise of worker movements and trade unions, driven by poor working conditions, low wages, and industrial exploitation. Prominent labor leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak began to address worker issues more directly.
Key Developments:
- Formation of Trade Unions: The early nationalist leaders began to recognize the importance of addressing workers’ grievances. Trade unions and labor organizations, such as the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), were formed to represent workers’ interests.
- Gandhi’s Influence: Gandhi’s involvement in labor issues, particularly during the Ahmedabad mill strike of 1918, marked a significant shift. He supported workers’ demands for fair wages and improved working conditions, linking their struggles with the broader nationalist agenda.
- Worker-Nationalist Relationship: Over time, the nationalist movement increasingly integrated worker issues into its broader political agenda. The struggle for labor rights became part of the wider struggle for independence, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic and political aspirations.