द इण्डियन स्ट्रगल / भारतीय स्वाधीनता संग्राम (नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस - ऐतिहासिक विश्लेषण)

308 THE INDIAN STRUGGLE
was one dealing with the grievances of the textile workers in
Bombay Presidency and the necessity of a general strike of
textile workers for enforcing their demands. Following this
decision, in the early part of 1934, a strike of textile workers
was declared in Bombay. There was enthusiastic response to
the strike-call in Bombay and there were sympathetic strikes
in other parts of the country as well. To break the strike,
the bogey of Communism was raised once again and on that
pretext, a large number of influential labour leaders in
Bombay were thrown into prison. Following Bombay, other
provinces like Punjab also saw the spectre of Communism
stalking over the land and the Kirti (Workers), Kishan
(Peasant) Party of Punjab was therefore declared illegal as
being a Communist body. While strengthening the grip over
the radical wing of the Worker's movement, the Government
also took further measures in Bengal to crush the terrorist
campaign of the revolutionaries. While the year before,
mere attempt to murder had been made punishable with
death, in 1934, possession of arms, explosives, etc., was
similarly made punishable with death. The recent attempt
to assassinate the Governor of Bengal, Sir John Anderson,
which is reminiscent of a similar attempt made two years ago¹
—shows, however, that the terrorist campaign is unfortunately
not dead as yet—though public opinion has been expressing
itself more and more against it.
The favourable situation created for the British Govern-
ment through the surrender of the Congress and the official
policy of ruthless repression, was utilised for promoting the
trade interests of Great Britain in India. Reference has
already been made to the ratification of the Ottawa Agree-
ment, whereby the principle of Empire Preference was forced
on India, in spite of her opposition and to her detriment.
During the period under consideration, two other measures
were adopted in connection with the textile trade of India
¹ In February 1932, a young woman graduate, Miss Bina Das, attempted
to shoot the Governor of Bengal, Sir Stanley Jackson, at the convocation
of the University of Calcutta. The Governor had a providential escape
and Miss Das was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment.
The latest news is to the effect that some of the would-be assassins
of Sir John Anderson have been sentenced to death.