Srinagar: Recalling the historic silk factory agitation of 21 July 1924, senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami paid tribute to the workers who sacrificed their lives while demanding justice and dignity.
“They did not present their lives. Their lives were snatched,” he said, as he remembered the slain workers who were protesting for fair wages and better working conditions.
The protest, held during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh, saw a large number of workers participating, voicing their concerns over meagre wages and exploitative working conditions. “They were raising voices for their rights, but faced bullets,” Tarigami said. “Those in power did not bring the protest to the forefront. Instead, bullets were fired to crush it,” he added.
Tarigami recalled that the protestors were not only demanding a raise in wages, which were as low as 4 aanas a day, but also the release of their arrested leaders and punishment for corrupt officials. “Some people said ten people presented their lives. They did not present their lives. Their lives were snatched away,” he repeated.
He highlighted the significance of the silk workers, pointing out that the same silk produced in Srinagar was once worn by kings and elites.
“Even today, if you go to the village, that factory is still there. Some people still take care of it,” he said, drawing attention to the heritage and continued relevance of the silk industry in Kashmir.
Tarigami also connected this episode to the broader historical context of labour movements in Kashmir. He recalled the Zaldagar incident of April 29, 1865, calling it “Kashmir’s first labour unrest,” where shawl baff workers protesting against heavy taxation were fired upon and 28 workers lost their lives. “This was before the 1886 labour revolt in Chicago,” he said, stressing Kashmir’s long and proud legacy of organised labour movements.
On this occasion, Tarigami reiterated his demand for the regularisation of daily and casual workers, and enhancement of honorarium and wages of scheme workers, including ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, CPWs, and HDFCs. “These workers need to be covered under social security measures like pension and insurance. There must be enhancement of the minimum wages sanctioned,” he said.
