Welcome to Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat
A Central Trade Union in India
Our Heritage
History of the Indian Labour Movement goes back to 1851 when the textile industries were established in Bombay, now called Mumbai. The last hundred and sixty odd years obviously have many things to tell. We do not intend to take stock of that here. As, on some search engines like Google etc., we can get 'n' number of sites narrating the history; of course, everyone in their own way and choice of their own colors.
The 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' has its roots in the thoughts of India's socialist leader Dr. Rammanohar Lohia's philosophy.
Formation & Evolution
The 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' name was assigned to the organisation at a Bangalore Convention on 25th May 1983. Prior to this, the organisation was known as 'Hind Mazdoor Panchayat'. Though the word 'Kisan' was added in 1983, the thoughts of organising agricultural and unorganised workers had been in the minds of founders of the HMKP.
Way back in 1949, the Hind Kisan Panchayat was formed by a socialist movement. In 1955, whilst forming Socialist Party, the policy document that was largely framed by Dr. Rammanohar Lohia had been based on "democracy, social equality, sufficiency". The thinkers also believed that capitalism generates two main devils; Poverty and Wars.
Our Ideology
The 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' in its convention on 25th May 1983 adopted the ideology of socialism. And adopted the policies expressed by the Founder member and National President, Shri George Fernandes in the Convention.
The Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat is engaged in social reforms and has not limited itself only to economic demands of the organised working class. The attempts and action by the 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' are reflected in various Conventions held and agitations carried out by the organization. This includes movements like 'Azadi Bachao Aandolan' that emphasises on "employment oriented policies based on 'Indigenous, self-reliance and co-operation'".
Recent Developments
While striving hard towards our goal, we also have faced some problems resulting in some of the activists either having left or been expelled from the organization. However, most of the activists, close associates to the social movement and Shri George Fernandes were keen to continue their movement. They took stock of the situation and decided to take a fresh registration from the Trade Union Registrar, as the National Head Quarter Office address had to be changed. Therefore, the 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' now has a Trade Union registration No.A.L.C./Karyasan-17/10600 dated 8th June 2011 and National Headquarters at Matunga, Mumbai.
A National Convention was held in Madgaon, Goa on 24th Jan 2014. The cadre and leaders from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have actively participated and have re-affirmed their faith in the organisation. The resolutions passed are presented elsewhere on this website. Thereafter, activities have increased in various states. New unions have been seeking affiliation with HMKP. State conventions are taking place and regional Committees are formed.
The Legend Lives
Shri George Fernandes - Founding Member
The Voice of the Workers
Champion of Labor Rights
"Yes, you can defeat him!" With this one liner, the uncrowned political king of Mumbai, Shri S. K. Patil, then Agricultural Minister of Government of India was defeated by him in the Loksabha Elections in 1967. By making a criminal lawyer the Managing Director of a labour bank, that started in an 80 sq. ft. office made a powerful bank today worth several millions and with its own huge office building.