"This historic strike call was given not merely on immediate demands of the workers but against the anti-national destructive policies of Central government", reads a statement by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
The statement adds: "This General Strike turned into a bandh in many states particularly in Kerala and Tripura and also in several districts of Tamilnadu, Haryana, West Bengal and Assam as the public transport, both government and private, came to a halt. Thousands of people participated in the road/ rail blockades in numerous places. Factories, shops, offices and commercial establishments wore a deserted look. In all major industrial centres and hubs across the country the strike was massive".
Peasants and agricultural workers along with the members from various mass organisations also participated in the demonstrations.
Expressing its full solidarity with the workers strike in India, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out among other things:
"The World Federation of Trade Unions congratulates its affiliates for their leading role in the decision, the preparation, and the realization of the General Strike as well as for all the massive and militant initiatives they organized during the last months spreading out the message and the demand of the Indian trade union movement.
The WFTU joins its voice with the trade union movement and the working class of India, demanding the full implementation of their just demands. We strongly condemn the unacceptable, anti-people policy of the Indian government, demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the labor codes and the privatization plans of national assets."
In congratulatory statement, the Political Bureau of the CC of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stresses out:
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) congratulates the working class for the successful 48-hour general strike held on March 28-29. Millions of workers responded to the call given by 10 Central Trade Unions and various sectoral federations.
According to reports, there was a total shutdown in Kerala and the strike had a huge impact in major industrial centres in West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam and Tripura. Insurance and banking services saw total participation in the strike. Large number of workers in key sectors like transport, electricity, state government and central government employees, scheme workers also participated in the strike.
The success of the strike reflects the growing anger against the BJP government’s policies of monetisation of national assets, privatisation of public sector, four labour codes and price rise. The strike call was actively supported by various kisan organisations, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and agricultural workers’ organisations.
The CPI(M) condemns the highhandedness of police in certain states. The government should heed to the workers’ demands instead of resorting to repression. This general strike should be a warning to the government not to pursue anti-working class policies.
