Campaigns relating to Indian politics

This file consists of press statements; information leaflets; flyers; articles; printed material; correspondence; and press cuttings relating to political developments in India during the 1960s and 1970s. There is also one item that relates to the campaign for justice following the disaster at the Union Carbide gas plant in Bhopal, which dates from the late 1980s.

Although the papers cover various topics, much of the material is connected with Indian Workers Association campaigns against the policies of Indira Gandhi's government during the period, particularly her repression of opposition political parties and the imposition of a State of Emergency between 1975 and 1977. There are also papers on the activities of Naxalite communist groups in India and related peasant and workers organisations.

/1 letter from the India Flood Relief Committee, London providing statistics about heavy rainfall in the south of India, and asking for contributions to the fund, 28 August 1961

/2 open letter from the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association to Jawahar Lal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, welcoming him on his visit to Britain and drawing his attention to some of the issues facing Indian migrants to the country, particularly racial discrimination and the need for an Indian Welfare Centre, 18 September 1962

/3 press cutting containing an article about gatherings organised by the Indian Workers Association and other groups in the West Midlands to mourn the death of the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, 29 May 1964

/4 letter from Avtar Jouhl, General Secretary of the Birmingham branch of the Indian Workers Association, to Jagmohan Joshi, informing him of resolutions taken by the branch executive committee on the commemoration of Nehru's life, and current petitions to the Indian government, 24 June 1964. Attached to this letter is a handwritten document listing public houses and barbers shops in Smethwick that operate a 'colour bar', and companies that segregate toilet facilities for European and Asian workers

/5 memorandum presented by the Indian Workers Association to T. T. Krishnamachari, Finance Minister of India, and Indira Gandhi, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, during their visit to London during the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference, 11 July 1964. The memorandum concerns issues relating to Indian migrants in Britain, and the concerns of the Indian Workers Association about some of the current political problems in India

/6 letter from Avtar Jouhl, General Secretary of the Birmingham branch of the Indian Workers Association, to Lal Bhadar Shastri, Prime Minister of India, condemning the arrests of Indian Communists and Trade Union leaders, and calling for an end to the Defence of India Rules and the State of Emergency, 1 January 1965

/7 Indian Workers Association circular to all branch secretaries asking for support in organising a demonstration in London for the restoration of civil rights in India, March 1965

/8 copy of a resolution passed by the Indian Workers Association Birmingham branch condemning the arrests of all political prisoners under the Defence of India rules, 30 May 1965

/9 newspaper article about a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in London, 18 June 1965

/10 printed pamphlet entitled 'Punjabi Suba and Communist Party: Communist Party's view-point regarding the reorganisation of Punjab on the basis of language', issued by the Punjab State Committee, Communist Party of India, 1965

/11-/17 newspaper articles on food shortages in Kerala, 1966

/18-/21 tickets and programme, together with a letter from the Indian Workers Association, for a film show organised by the India Society, Indian Workers Association and the People's Defence Fund Against Famine in India, held at the College of Advanced Technology, Gosta Green, Aston, Birmingham. The letter asks Indian Workers Association members to sell tickets for this event. The programme provides a synopsis and cast list for one of the films to be shown, 'The World of Apu'. It is likely that this show was organised in 1966 in reaction to the food shortages in Kerala, but this is not certain

/22 typescript article by R. S. Sandhu entitled 'The Confession of a Communist', giving details of his life and political activities, probably dating from 1966

/23 Indian Workers Association statement condemning the actions of people who attacked Chinese diplomats and damaged the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, 18 June 1967

/24 set of notes in Jagmohan Joshi's handwriting on the 'US hold over India', giving statistics on imports and exports of goods and raw materials, probably dating from 1967

/25 handwritten draft article on communist politics in India, and particularly the activities of Naxalite groups, 27 July 1967

/26-/27 two typescript drafts of resolutions on India passed at the National Conference of the Indian Workers Association, November 1967

/28-/29 two versions of draft typescript reports of the General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association to be given at a meeting at Digbeth Civic Hall, 22 October 1967. The report focuses on conditions in India, and the work of the Indian Workers Association in other campaigns against racism and imperialism. It is likely that this report formed part of that given at the Indian Workers Association National Conference in November 1967

/30-/31 copy typescript articles entitled 'News From India' by Aparna Roy which discuss the effects of 'US imperialism', 'Soviet revisionism' and the actions of the Indian government on the Indian people, 1968

/32 typescript article entitled 'More about Naxalbari' by Kanu Sanyal, discussing the Naxalbari peasant uprising, late 1960s

/33-/34 annotated draft typescript articles by Apara Roy entitled 'The Sino-Indian Border Dispute'. The second of these articles carries numerous handwritten corrections and additions, late 1960s

/35 press release by the Indian Workers Association explaining the reasons for the organisation's protest against the arrest of political leaders in India and the continuation of Emergency Rules in the country, late 1960s

/36 letter from A. D. Katatia, President, and B. R. Jassal, General Secretary, of the Indian Republicans Group of Great Britain, inviting friends to attend the group's congress on 10 November 1968 at the Y.M.C.A Hall in Wolverhampton, and providing an agenda

/37 newspaper article quoting the comments of the Indian High Commissioner on the duties of Indians living in Britain, made at Baisakhi celebrations in Slough, attended by 'Minister for Immigrants' David Ennals and local dignitaries. The article also quotes comments by Balbir Singh, President of the Indian Welfare Society, on the Commonwealth Immigrants Act and new Race Relations Bill, 1968

/38 circular letter to members issued by Jagmohan Joshi on behalf of the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association asking branches to mobilise members to support demonstrations against the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference, January 1969

/39 memorandum from the Indian Workers Association to Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, condemning the influence of imperialism on the policies of the Indian government, and asking her to use the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference to force the British government to repeal racist immigration laws, 7 January 1969

/40-/42 open letters from the Indian Workers Association to the Home Secretary and the High Commissioner of India protesting against restrictions imposed on the entry of husbands and fiances from the Commonwealth, March 1969

/43-/44 newspaper articles by Rajmohan Gandhi entitled 'Naxalites and Leftism' and 'Spectator Government', published in Himmat, June-July 1969

/45 anonymous annotated typescript article on the economy, culture and politics of Pakistan, undated. The article refers to East Pakistan, so must have been written before 1971 and the independence of this province as Bangladesh

/46 press release issued by the Indian Republicans Group on various aspects of Indian politics, including proposals for a separate electorate for Harijans, so-called 'Untouchables', 26 January 1970

/47 photocopy of 'Naga Vigil Bulletin' no. 11 containing a news article from 'Peace News' 8 September 1972, other items. The bulletin was produced by R. Hutchinson who was carrying out a 'lone vigil' to 'draw attention to India's persecution of the Naga people'

/48 photocopied pages from a printed article entitled 'The Naxalite Movement', October 1972

/49 information leaflet issued by the Indian Workers Association explaining the organisation's reasons for demonstrating against the political, economic and social policies of Indira Gandhi's Indian government, 10 December 1972

/50 letter from an activist involved in the campaign to free Indian political prisoners to Jagmohan Joshi, expressing disappointment that he does not seem to have taken action after receiving papers on the campaign, 6 September 1973

/51-/52 open letter from the Convenor of a UK branch of the All India Dr. Kotnis Memorial Committee, asking for people to attend a meeting to discuss the possibility of publishing his life and works, 29 October 1973, together with an annotated typescript biography of Dr. Kotnis, by Danial Latifi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court, published by the Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee, Bombay

/53 copy letter from Avtar Jouhl, secretary of the Birmingham branch of the Indian Workers Association to the Assistant Commissioner, High Commission of India, Birmingham, asking him to receive a deputation of members of the branch committee to discuss problems faced by Indians in Britain, 9 January 1974

/54 copy memorandum from the Indian Workers Association Birmingham branch to the Assistant Commissioner, High Commission of India, Birmingham branch discussing difficulties faced by people applying for passports and harassment of Indians by police under the terms of the Immigration Act 1971, 15 January 1974

/55 circular letter issued by the Birmingham branch committee of the Indian Workers Association in English and Punjabi giving information about arrangements for a demonstration in London against the killing of peasants and workers in the states of Gujarat and Bihar in India, 7 April 1974

/56 open letter from Teja Singh Sahota, President, and Jagmohan Joshi, General Secretary, of the Indian Workers Association to the High Commissioner of India recording the anger of the organisation at the killing of peasants and workers protesting against food shortages, 7 April 1974

/57 information leaflet entitled 'India Today: Myth and Reality: A Fact Sheet' produced by the Indian Workers Association. The leaflet analyses whether India can really be considered independent, and discusses US and Soviet influences on the government's political, economic and social policies, 1974

/58 photocopy of a letter from the Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association to the Executive Committee of the National Union of Railwaymen and ASLEF urging them to protest against the Indian government and express solidarity with the struggle of railwaymen in Delhi, 8 May 1974

/59 photocopy of 'Naga Vigil Bulletin' issued by R. Hutchinson, 31 July 1974, containing copies of newspaper articles about the detention of political prisoners including Mary Tyler, a British citizen identified with the Naxalite movement

/60 letter from G. D. Chaudhri, Assistant High Commissioner of India to an unidentified recipient, discussing matters raised at a meeting of Indian organisations in the West and East Midlands held to consider general problems faced by the Indian community, 22 November 1974. The letter asks the recipient to send representatives to attend a further meeting to be held 21 December 1974. An attached sheet gives the names and addresses of the organisations attending the meeting, which include political groups, representatives from Sikh and Hindu temples, and welfare and cultural groups.

/61 printed pamphlet entitled 'Apprehend the Counter-Revolutionary Character of Revisionism', consisting of 'an appeal to revolutionary people and cadres of revisionist parties, published by the Punjab State Committee, Central Organising Committee of the Communist Party of India (ML), around 1974

/62 leaflet written in English and Punjabi and issued by the Young Indians Association in Bedford containing details about recent massacres of peasants in India by Jagirdars or landlords, 1974

/63 pamphlet prepared by the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association entitled ''Emergency' Special', containing statements and documents by the Indian Workers Association; an article by Hari. P. Sharma entitled ''National Emergency' in India: An Analysis' and an article by Mary Tyler entitled 'India - Prisoners and the Emergency'. A statement on the back of this pamphlet indicates that it was prepared before the State of Emergency imposed in June 1975

/64 newspaper article on Indira Gandhi and her imposition of a State of Emergency in India, 1975

/65 anonymous typescript article entitled 'Focus on India' discussing the reasons for the proclamation of a State of Emergency by the Indian Government, 26 June 1975

/66 copy letter from Avtar Jouhl, National Organiser of the Indian Workers Association to R. Sharma, Secretary of the Leicester branch, discussing the wording of a resolution on the emergency in India and the killing of peasant activists Kishta Gowd and Bhoomia, 5 January 1975

/67 open letters from the Alliance Against Fascist Dictatorship in India to Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister, and B. K. Nehru, Indian High Commissioner condemning the Indian government's hanging of two peasant leaders Kishta Gowd and Jangam Bhoomiah

/68 letter from the Friends of India Society, Birmingham branch inviting friends to participate in a meeting at Dr Johnson House, Colmore Circus on 22 January 1975 at which Professor Subramaniun Swamy, MP will speak on the subject 'Indian Emergency: The Facts and Situation'

/69 copy letter from the secretary of the All India Railwaymen's Federation to Indira Gandhi refuting allegations made against him since the railway strike of May 1974. The letter probably dates from 1975

/70 letter from Jagmohan Joshi, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association to B. K. Nehru, High Commissioner of India, explaining why the organisation, together with other groups representing Indian immigrants and progressive people in Britain, are protesting against the Indian government's oppression of political opponents and including a list of demands for the restoration of civil liberties in India, 23 June 1975

/71 typescript appeal by the Indian Workers Association entitled 'Oppose Dictatorship in India' following the declaration of a State of Emergency in India, June 1975

/72 copy letter from Jagmohan Joshi, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association, to Peter Nicholas, Secretary of the Shop Steward Committee at the Rover Company in Tyseley, asking the British Trade Union Movement to support the struggle of the Indian People for democracy following the imposition of the State of Emergency in June 1975 under which political opponents and trade unionists have been arrested

/73 leaflet issued by the Birmingham Communist Association giving information about a picket outside the Indian High Commission in Birmingham to protest against the recent actions of the Indian government during the State of Emergency, 21 July 1975

/74 circular letter from Avtar Jouhl to Indian Workers Association members discussing arrangements for a picket organised by the Birmingham branch against the state of emergency in India outside the Indian High Commission office in Birmingham, 21 July 1975

/75 letter from a member of the Communist Party of Germany living in England to members of the Indian Workers Association asking for assistance in producing a pamphlet on the current political situation in India, and asking whether anyone from the organisation who also has sympathies with the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) would be prepared to speak at a series of public meetings in German cities, 22 July 1975

/76 protest letter sent by representatives of Indian organisations in Britain, including the Indian Workers Association, to the BBC and the British press, after a protest march from Hyde Park to BBC Bush House and Fleet Street on 7 September 1975 to protest against 'biased and inaccurate reporting about the Emergency in India'

/77-/79 correspondence from Jagmohan Joshi on behalf of the Central Executive Committee of the Indian Workers Association to all branches, and to journalists, giving information about a conference to oppose the state of emergency in India to be held at the Working Mens College in London on 26 October 1975 and giving an overview of the current political situation in India, September-October 1975

/80-/81 correspondence between Peter Wengen, Liga Gegen Den Imperialismus, Cologne, and Jagmohan Joshi asking for the support of the Indian Workers Association in a series of activities and meetings to be organised in Germany to 'support the struggle of the Indian people against the recent increase of fascist dictatorship in India', and inviting members to take part in meetings and a discussion forum in Cologne to which Mary Tyler will also be invited.

/82 press release issued by the Indian Workers Association following a protest meeting organised by the organisation and held at Digbeth Institute for the release of political prisoners in India. The press release is not dated, but was probably issued in 1976

/83 open letter from the Alliance Against Fascist Dictatorship in India to Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister demanding that the British government issue a statement condemning the State of Emergency in India, withdraw its High Commissioner from Delhi and raise the question of Indira Gandhi's violation of the Declaration of Human Rights in the United Nations, 25 January 1976

/84 copy of resolutions passed at an unidentified meeting held under the auspices of the Indian Workers Association to protest against the attacks on civil liberties in India and the detention of political prisoners, together with a press statement giving information about a protest march organised by the Indian Workers Association that took place 28 March, probably in 1976

/85 photocopy of a letter from S. N. Singh, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) to the Action Committee of Communist Revolutionaries discussing ideological and practical differences between the two groups, 25 April 1976

/86 letter to Jagmohan Joshi and the Indian Workers Association expressing disapproval at Indian migrants in Britain sending money to Punjab by illegal means and worsening the problem of inflation in India. The writer urges the Indian Workers Association to campaign against this practice

/87 copy letter from the convener of an unidentified group to the Secretary of the Committee for Civil Liberties in India raising points of contention concerning the organisation and running of a joint demonstration held on 27 June 1976

/88 pamphlet published by the Indian Workers Association and the Alliance Against Fascist Dictatorship in India entitled 'India's General Elections Are A Fraud', issued before the Indian General Elections announced for March 1977

/89 letter from V. Y. Tonpe, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, to Jagmohan Joshi, discussing arrangements for a deputation of Indian Workers Association members to meet the Prime Minister during his visit to Britain, 27 May 1977

/90 memorandum from the Indian Workers Association and the Alliance for People's Democratic India to Morarji Desai, Prime Minister of India, hailing the defeat of the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi and the recent General Elections in India, and drawing his attention to matters concerning people in India on the issue of civil liberties, and to the problems of racial discrimination faced by Indians living in Britain, 12 June 1977

/91 statement by the Indian Workers Front written in English and Punjabi hailing the defeat of Indira Gandhi's Congress party but withholding support from the political and economic programme of the Janata party headed by Morarji Desai or the Congress for Democracy headed by Kagjivan Ram. The statement demands from the Janata party the fulfilment of the promises on civil liberties that they made during the election campaign, June 1977

/92 open letter form the Indian Workers Association, Shiromani Akali Dal UK and Committee for Civil Liberties in India to the Prime Minister of India summarising a list of demands to restore civil liberties in India and oppose and condemn racism and immigration legislation in Britain, 12 June 1977

/93 photocopy of an incomplete and anonymous typescript account of 'An Interview with Morarji' which took place in London during Morarji's visit for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference

/94 memorandum submitted before the Justice Bhargave Commission of Enquiry by the Civil Rights (Tarkunde) Committee regarding Inter se Priority among the terms of reference. The Enquiry was set up to investigate 'alleged encounters during which several citizens said to be Naxalites were put to death by the police' between 1968 and 1977

/95 correspondence between Indian Airlines, Afghan Airlines and a solicitor employed by a passenger from London to Amritsar via Kabul who lost baggage at Kabul in August 1977

/96-/98 correspondence to the President of Bangladesh and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh regarding the imprisonment on political grounds, of Indian citizens Subrate Ball and Ratan Chakrabarti in that country, appealing for their release, October 1977

/99 press statement issued by the Unity Committee of the Communist Party of India to draw attention to Indian political prisoners held outside India, including Subrata Ball (alias Ranjit Chakrabarti) and Manoranjan Chakrabartti (alias Ratan) who have been imprisoned in Bangladesh since 1973 on political charges. The press release also mentions the imprisonment in India of British citizen Mary Tyler on political grounds between 1970 and 1976, and Koirala of Nepal. The statement probably dates from 1977

/100 appeal to the citizens of Bombay, issued by the Bombay Committee, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) urging them not to vote for the main political parties in municipal elections, claiming that none of them has succeeded in improving living conditions for ordinary people in the city. The statement probably dates from the mid 1970s

/101 anonymous typescript article entitled 'On the questions of participation in Parliamentary Elections in India' discussing communist involvement in election campaigns and the need to build support for the Communist Party of India amongst peasants and urban workers. This article was written after 1977

/102 press release issued by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninst) Provisional Central Committee condemning the extension of the Disturbed Areas Act to Sircilla and Jagtial Taluks in Karimnagar district, October 1978

/103 letter in Punjabi from Amanjit Chandar to Jagmohan Joshi, 2 August 1978

/104 photocopy of a typescript report entitled 'Landlord Terror in Nanded District on Dailts under the Pretext of an Agitation to Protest the Renaming of Marathwara University after Dr Ambedkar, compiled by Raja Marathe, General Secretary of Kashtakari Sanghatna in Nanded District, 15 August 1978

/105 letter from members of Nagarik Adhikar Morcha, an independent Marxist group based in India, to Jagmohan Joshi, giving him information about a periodical they publish in Hindi on the class struggle, 21 October 1978

/106 letter from the manager of the Marxist-Leninist journal Third World Unity to Jagmohan Joshi asking whether he would be able to distribute copies to readers in the Birmingham area, 23 August 1978. This distribution would possibly have taken place through Joshi's shop 'Progressive Books and Asian Arts' on the Bristol Road, Birmingham

/107 letter from Shurinder Nutt, Jullundur City, India to Jagmohan Joshi discussing his subscription to a publication called 'Jaikara', postmarked 7 November 1978

/108 statement issued by A P State Civil Liberties Committee on the repression of peasants in the Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh, India, and the lack of press coverage of this, October 1978

/109 copy of 'India Today' newsletter, November 1978, published by the Alliance for People's Democratic India. The newsletter contains articles criticising the policies of both Indira Gandhi and the Janata party led by Morarji Desai.

/110 information leaflet issued by the Indian Workers Movement denouncing Indira Gandhi and her policies while Prime Minister of India during the 1960s and 1970s, and condemning the repression of Naxalites. The leaflet urges people to attend a public meeting on the current political situation in India and to denounce Indira Gandhi's visit to Britain, November 1978

/111 circular letter issued by the Indian Workers Association to all branches asking members to mobilise support to oppose Indira Gandhi's visit to Britain, November 1978

/112 circular letter issued by the Indian Workers Association calling on individuals and organisations to demonstrate against atrocities committed during Indira Gandhi's premiership at the Regal Cinema, Soho Road, Birmingham, 18 November 1978. The letter also gives details of a demonstration to be held in Southall at the Dominion Cinema, 14 November 1978

/113 flyer issued by the London branch of the Indian Workers Association giving details about a picket at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London to protest against Indira Gandhi's visit to Britain, 16 November 1978

/114 joint statement issued by Birmingham branches of the Indian Workers Association, Shiromani Akali Dal, Indian Republican Group, Friends of India Society, Indian Welfare Association protesting against an attack on the political activist Arjan Dass Kataria in Birmingham, December 1978 by members of the Overseas Indian Congress

/115 circular letter issued by the Indian Workers Association to all branches asking members to support a mass picket of the Indian High Commission in London organised by Bharati Dalit Mukti Alliance to campaign for the release of Dalits being held in Bhagalpur Central Jail in Bihar, India. The picket was to take place on 23 March 1979, and this letter is dated 6 March 1979

/116 typescript report entitled 'New Concessions for Non-Residents of Indian Origin: Time for Declaration of Immovable Properties Extended up to 31 December 1979' by S. Prem Singh Advocats, Jullundur, India. The article discusses the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1973 for non-residents of Indian origin studying abroad.

/117 open letter in English and Punjabi to the Prime Minister/Chief Justice of India, listing the demands of the Bhopal gas victims, following the review by the Supreme Court of the order on settlement between the Government of India and the Union Carbide company. This letter was probably written in or after 1989

/118 undated newspaper article on the acquittal of Naxalite leaders in Andhra Pradesh.

This file also contains substantial papers in Punjabi, comprising newspaper and magazine articles, statements, and flyers issued by various organisations during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Many focus on visits to Britain by Indira Gandhi and other members of the Indian government during the 1970s, and the demonstrations protesting her presence, while others are concerned with the detention and torture of political opponents and Communist leaders during the period, and campaigns to defend democracy in India during periods of political unrest and the 'State of Emergency' of the mid 1970s. These documents are filed at the end of the chronological sequence; English summaries are provided for the majority of material.