The strike that shocked India
Witness History24 Maj 2021

The strike that shocked India

When one and a half million Indian railway workers went on strike for 20 days in 1974 it brought the country to a halt. Essential food, goods and workers were unable to reach their destinations. Despite this, the general public were largely sympathetic to the strike as they too felt a sense of anger at the government over the economy and allegations of corruption. Claire Bowes has been talking to union leader Subhash Malgi about why the government attempt to prevent the action with mass arrests and harassment backfired and to author Stephen Sherlock about how it became - what was at the time - the biggest strike in history and led to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's declaration the following year of a national state of emergency.

Photo: Train from Darjeeling to Siliguri 1970. Credit: Paolo KOCH/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Avsnitt(2000)

How Rang De Basanti inspired a generation

How Rang De Basanti inspired a generation

Released on India’s Republic Day in January 2006, the Hindi film Rang De Basanti, exploded onto the cultural landscape. In its first week, it shattered box office records and inspired thousands of you...

12 Mars 10min

I starred in Pan’s Labyrinth

I starred in Pan’s Labyrinth

In 2006, Ivana Baquero starred in Guillermo del Toro’s Spanish-language film Pan’s Labyrinth. The film tells the story of an 11-year-old girl who meets mythical creatures on a quest to achieve immort...

11 Mars 11min

My father directed Seven Samurai

My father directed Seven Samurai

Akira Kurosawa's film, Seven Samurai, is an epic three-and-a-half hour long black and white film set in 16th century Japan.It was released in 1954 and was the most expensive Japanese film ever made at...

10 Mars 10min

Triumph of the Will: A Nazi propaganda film

Triumph of the Will: A Nazi propaganda film

In 1934, one of the most controversial propaganda movies ever made - Triumph of the Will – was filmed at the Nazis’ Nuremberg rally. The two-hour picture was directed by Leni Riefenstahl, once descr...

9 Mars 10min

The invention of the mobility scooter

The invention of the mobility scooter

In 1967, American plumber Al Thieme promised his wife with multiple sclerosis that he would find her an alternative to a wheelchair.He came up with a battery-powered seat on wheels.He called it an ‘am...

6 Mars 10min

India’s first nuclear test

India’s first nuclear test

In May 1974 India successfully detonated its first atomic device. It had been developed in secret with the codename Smiling Buddha. India called it a peaceful nuclear explosion, though the experimenta...

5 Mars 9min

Portugal’s worst train disaster

Portugal’s worst train disaster

On 11 September 1985 in Mangualde, central Portugal, an express train collided head-on with a regional train killing an estimated 150 people.The impact destroyed both engines and the leaking diesel ca...

4 Mars 10min

Elvis visits Scotland

Elvis visits Scotland

In 1960, as he headed home from military service, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll made an unexpected stop at Prestwick Airport.It's believed to be the only time Elvis Presley is known to have set foot on Br...

3 Mars 11min

Populärt inom Samhälle & Kultur

en-mork-historia
podme-dokumentar
gynning-berg
p3-dokumentar
svenska-fall
aftonbladet-krim
skaringer-nessvold
killradet
hor-har
mardromsgasten
creepypodden-med-jack-werner
kod-katastrof
flashback-forever
rss-brottsutredarna
vad-blir-det-for-mord
rss-nemo-moter-en-van
rss-mer-an-bara-morsa
rattsfallen
blenda-2
rysarpodden