Question

Consider the following statements about the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918 

1. It was related to a dispute between the workers and the European mill owners regarding hours of work. 

2. Gandhiji advised the workers to go on strike. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

(b) In February March 1918, there was a situation of conflict between the Gujarat Mill owners and workers on the question of Plague Bonus of 1917. The Mill Owners wanted to withdraw the bonus while the workers demanded a 50% wage hike. The Mill Owners were willing to give only 20% wage hike. In March 1918, under the leadership of Gandhi, there was a strike in the cotton mills. In this strike Gandhi used the weapon of Hunger strike. The result was that the strike was successful and the workers got a 35% wage increase.