Correct option is C
Sol: The correct answer is (c) George Fernandes
Key points:
- The railway strike in 1974 was led by George Fernandes, who served as the President of the All India Railwaymen's Federation.
- The strike, which began on May 2, 1974, involved around 1.7 million railway workers and was a significant event in India's labor movement, demanding better working conditions and higher wages.
- The government's harsh response to the strike foreshadowed the political climate leading up to the Emergency declared later that year
Information booster:
J P Narayan:
- Born on October 11, 1902, Jayaprakash Narayan was an influential Indian independence activist and political leader.
- He is best known for his role in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and later for his leadership during the 1974 Bihar movement, which sought to address corruption and misgovernance.
- Narayan was a proponent of social justice and democratic socialism, advocating for a more equitable society in post-independence India.
S P Mukherjee:
- Syama Prasad Mukherjee, born on July 6, 1901, was an Indian politician and the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- He was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and played a significant role in advocating for Hindu nationalism.
- Mukherjee was also a member of the Indian National Congress before founding his own party and served as a minister in the first cabinet of independent India.
Morarji Desai:
- Morarji Desai, born on February 29, 1896, was an Indian independence activist who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979.
- He was the first Prime Minister not belonging to the Congress party and led the Janata Party government after the Emergency period.
- Desai was known for his emphasis on austerity, social justice, and legal reforms during his tenure.