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( NEZINE's special series- “India’s Northeast in UK Parliament” on the debates and discussion relating to India’s Northeast in the House of Commons of UK Parliament. The material Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament/open-parliament-licence/ and has been published with the permission of Parliamentary Archives, UK Parliament, London.
The term “Coolie” used in the UK parliament to mean the tea garden workers is a derogatory term and NEZINE does not endorse its use but material from Parliamentary Archives, UK Parliament has been reproduced in this series without any changes. –Editor)
Two communiqués have been issued, one by the Assam Government, the other by the Bengal Government, on the circumstances of the exodus of coolies recruited from other parts of India from a number of tea gardens in Chargola and Longai Valleys, Assam.
The Assam report says that the coolies struck first on 2nd May, and disaffection spread. Outwardly, the strike was for an increase of wages, but offers of from 30 to 50 per cent. increase did not stop the movement. By about the middle of the month between 6,000 and 7,000 coolies had left the gardens. The coolies gathered in the little town of Karimganj, and this caused great trouble to the municipal authorities, and no little suffering to the coolies themselves. Food was provided by the Government for those in need of it, and one issue of rice was accepted. Then the coolies were led to believe that acceptance of food from the Government would entail their being sent back to the gardens. Gradually the great majority of the coolies made their way to Chandpur in the Tippera district of Bengal, many forcing their way into the trains without tickets. It is unquestioned that great suffering and hardship were caused by these events, and the allegation has been repeatedly made that the exodus was spontaneous, and was due to inadequate pay and brutal treatment received by the coolies. On the other hand employers are convinced that the coolies would not have left the gardens but for the efforts of unscrupulous persons who have been filling their minds with wild suggestions. The first batches to leave the gardens invoked the name of Maharaj Gandhi, and declared that they were obeying his orders.
The communiqué then proceeds to discuss these allegations and to review the general conditions of the tea industry in this part of Assam. These gardens, which produce a coarse quality of tea, have been particularly hard hit by low prices during the past year. The Government find that the coolies were not able to earn the wages they obtained in war-time, but that the accounts of very low wage rates are false. Although coolies were not able to supplement their wages as much as they formerly did, they must at least have earned the statutory wages. They also find that there is no evidence of ill-treatment, and point out that the gardens are regularly inspected by Government officers. They are prepared to investigate any specific case, and describe many of the stories to which currency has been given as deliberate lies. After investigation they are unable to accept the accounts of observers of the condition of the coolies en route to their homes as establising the conclusion that they had been starved at the gardens.
As to the statement that efforts have been made by persons unconnected with the industry to promote discontent among the coolies, the Government know for a fact that such efforts have for some time been actively made, apparently with the intention of arousing ill-will against Europeans and the Government, although those concerned have for the most part been careful to keep out- 1830Wside the reach of the ordinary Criminal Law. The statements made by many coolies left no doubt that they were obeying an appeal made to them on other than economic grounds.
The Government consider that it would have been unwise, even if it had been legally possible, to compel the coolies to go back to the gardens, and they were not prepared to provide a passage home free to labourers who were voluntarily leaving their employment. They arranged that sick and destitute women and children and the aged and infirm should be fed and cared for. The Government and the tea industry have for some time past known that, in view of the rise in prices, some adjustment of wages is called for throughout the Province, and special inquiries, which are nearly complete, have already been made. But they repudiate altogether the allegation that the wages given in the case of the striking coolies were starvation wages, and are fully prepared to examine further the whole question of wages.
In view of the many serious misrepresentations which have been made of events at Chandpur where the coolies arrived on their way home from Assam, the Government of Bengal sent Sir Henry Wheeler, Member of the Executive Council, to make a thorough investigation. Sir Henry Wheeler returned to Darjeeling on 3rd June, and made an exhaustive report. The arrival of destitute coolies began to attract the attention of the local officers about 9th May, and Mr. Wares, Collector of Tippera, arranged for a special steamer which conveyed home 1,000, plus children, from Chandpur to Goalundo, the cost being paid from charitable funds in official hands. On 16th May, 450 coolies, plus children, and on 17th May, 937, including children, were similarly dispatched by local officers on a Government guarantee for their fares. On 17th May information of events reached the Local Government, who informed the Commissioner of Chittagong (Mr. K. C. De), that the cost of repatriation was not a charge which they could properly accept, and since 17th May no coolies have been dispatched from Chandpur at Government expense. Meanwhile others in large numbers were continuing to arrive. Mr. De went to Chandpur on 19th May, when he found about 1,500 coolies in the railway station and yard, while 500 more were expected. It was decided to locate coolies on a football field near the station, and arrangements were made to erect shelters, summon medical assistance and make sanitary arrangements. The coolies would not leave the station for fear of being sent back. Large numbers poured in on 18th and 19th May, until there were about 3,000 collected all over the station yard and its surroundings. The railway yard and terminus are close to the steamer station. On the night of 19th May about 400 coolies rushed the Goalundo mail steamer and a much smaller number the Narayanganj mail boat. The rush had only been stopped by casting the boats off into the stream. The steamer flat was cleared by police, the crowd standing on the bank shouting "Gandhi Maharaj ki jai," being incited by townspeople. Some Europeans were hustled and hit. Excitement-continued during the night, and an attempt 1831Wwas made to rush the Chittagong mail steamer.
On 20th May, medical opinion was that it was absolutely essential in the interest of public health that the coolies should not remain where they were. The premises had become grossly insanitary. There were five cholera cases among the railway staff, and nine cholera cases of coolies in the railway hospital. The Commissioner telegraphed for assistance, and 50 men of the Eastern Frontier Rifles, under Captain Sheppard, were moved from Dacca. Towards evening young men from the town began collecting at the station in considerable numbers, and there was shouting of "Gandhi ki jai." On the arrval of the military police, orders were given to clear the station. Officers and men shouted to the coolies to go, but they refused. Men stood up waving their arms with shouts of "Gandhi ki jai," and the police began pushing them. This being ineffective, they began to strike them, and the coolies moved off towards the football field. The witnesses agree that the coolies would not have moved unless force had been used, and that the force used was not in the circumstances excessive. In the morning the coolies had disappeared, and it is said that the local residents induced them to move into the town during the night. On 21st May a general hartal was declared in the town, and is still continuing, in protest against the events of the night of 20th May, and the refusal of the local Government to pay for repatriation of the coolies. On 24th May a railway strike was declared at Chandpur, on the 25th at Chittagong. A strike of steamer service began on 27th May at Chandpur, and spread to Gonlundo and surrounding centres. Sympathetic hartals were declared at Chittagong, Comilla Noakhali and elsewhere. A system of chits, countersigned by local leaders, had been introduced, without which shops would not supply; and Europeans and Government servants were being put to considerable difficulties. Most Europeans had lost their servants, and from all sides there were stories of intimidation of men willing to work. Cholera and disease made their appearance at an early stage, though accurate figures were unobtainable. Dr. Batra (of the Health Department on deputation at Chandpur) estimates deaths during the latter half of May at 160 at least.
Sir Henry Wheeler states that the points to which he directed particular attention were (a) the number of men injured in the affair of 20th May and the nature of their injuries, (b) the efficiency of the sanitary and medical arrangements, and (c) causes underlying hartal and strikes. The report shows that only two cases which might be described as serious have come to notice, and no injuries that might have been caused by a bayonet have been found. Details are then given of the full arrangements made by Dr. Batra for dealing with the sanitary and medical situation, and of the difficulties put in his way by the local leaders. One thousand of the coolies left in Chandpur were accommodated in some disused jute godowns, and were there cared for, but the residue of some 500 coolies remained in the town, local leaders expressing their inability to transfer 1832Wthem, despite Dr. Batra's protestations on the score of an epidemic in the town. They are undoubtedly a source of danger. The Commissioner and Collector testify to the energy and efficiency of Dr. Batra's arrangements. It is established that he encountered great difficulties from the non-co-operation party. The hartal of 21st May impeded the getting of all things, noticeably milk and vegetables, and he was allowed to buy nothing without the signature of local leaders. Matters came to a head on 28th May when Dr. Batra sent to Babu Hardgal Nag (a non-co-operator) for milk, and received the following note:—"On account of repeated complaints by our medical officers and volunteers we have made separate arrangements for the treatment of coolies; necessarily our volunteers are withdrawn from your flat hospital." Dr. Batra withdrew with his staff, and Sir Henry Wheeler indicated to the local leaders that Dr. Batra and his staff remain ready to give every assistance.
Sir Henry Wheeler goes further into the causes of hartal and strikes, as explained by the local leaders, and comes to the following conclusions:—
(1) These coolies had to be moved from the railway premises. The force used was not excessive. He is satisfied that the story that bayonets were used is without foundation.
(2) For local relief officers of the Government did all that they could.
(3) The calling of a hartal and two strikes has seriously prejudiced the welfare of the coolies, while the time of Government officers which should have been devoted to these coolies has necessarily been diverted to counter-measures, and all relief operations have been gravely hampered.
(4) The hartal and strikes in their present form are instigated by political aims, and are merely a form of direct action. The welfare of the coolies has become a subsidiary issue with the local leaders.
(5) By their action on two occasions the local leaders have definitely prevented the removal of some coolies who might have been conveyed elsewhere. The continuance of the steamer strike absolutely prevents any further movement of these coolies. The Rev. C. F. Andrews, who has funds at his disposal, is in a position to arrange for the repatriation of these men at once, and the responsibility of their retention is with the local leaders.
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