Huge crowds mark strike against labour codes

Workers of state-run miner Singareni Colleries at Godavarikhani took part in the strike

Congress, CPI, CPI(M) leaders and workers held protests in Hyderabad and other places in Telangana on Thursday as part of the nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's labour codes. CPI national secretary Palla Venkat Reddy and CPI(M)'s Telangana secretary John Wesley and other leaders participated in a protest at Narayanaguda here.

Venkat Reddy alleged that the NDA government at the Centre replacing 29 labour laws with four labour codes is an anti-worker decision. He also attacked the Centre for allegedly weakening PSUs and replacing the MGNREGA.

Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, who attended a protest at the Dharna Chowk here, alleged that the NDA government weakened rights of the workers and promoting capitalists like 'Adani - Ambani'.

Terming the NDA government as anti-worker and anti-secular, he said workers and secular minded people should unite and dislodge the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime from power. Workers of state-run miner Singareni Colleries at Godavarikhani, about 200 kms from Hyderabad, also took part in the bandh.

A large number of Singareni employees stayed away from their duties and participated in protest programmes organised in the region. Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) state president Miryala Raji Reddy stated that barring essential and emergency services, the workforce of Singareni Colleries voluntarily refrained from attending work.

"Except for emergency staff, all workers abstained from their duties today. The bandh was observed successfully," he said. Police officials said the situation remained peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported in the area.

TPCC leader warns of economic crisis under Modi

TPCC Secretary Samel Karthik has warned that India is heading toward a severe economic crisis under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said recent bills introduced during Parliament’s budget sessions and trade agreements with the United States raise serious concerns. Speaking at a joint protest organized by Congress and Left parties in Serilingampally, Karthik alleged that after facing farmers’ anger, the BJP is now targeting the working class. He claimed the country’s economic system has weakened over the past decade.

Recalling the 1991 crisis, he said former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh built a strong framework that saved India from collapse. He credited Congress governments with laying industrial foundations and establishing the eight-hour workday.

Karthik warned that the US trade deal could harm textile and agricultural sectors. He added that Congress aims to expand Telangana’s welfare model nationwide, emphasizing support for workers’ rights.