Prem Oraon was an Indian politician and trade unionist. He was a leader of tea garden workers in North Bengal, and was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1977.

Entry into trade unionism

Oraon was born in Pilkhi village near Ranchi, the son of Bhaku Oraon.[1] He studied up to fifth grade at home.[1] As thousands of other Chota Nagpur and Santal Paragana Adivasis, he migrated to work at tea gardens in North Bengal.[1][2] At the Kurty Tea Estate where he was working, around 80% of the workers were Chota Nagpur and Santhal Paragana Adivasis and 20% Nepalis.[2] In 1950 a socialist trade union, West Bengal Cha Shramik Union (WBCSU), was formed at the Kurty Tea Estate.[2] In the same year, a team led by communist organiser Debprosad Ghosh (Patalbabu) arrived in the area and began holding meetings, selling literature and distributing Sadri language leaflets to the workers there.[2] Oroan was one of the workers who got in contact with the communist organisers, and he formed a trade union that unsuccessfully sought to challenge the WBCSU.[1][2]

ZCBWU leader

In 1960, Oraon became a member of the Communist Party of India.[1] In 1966 a branch of the All India Trade Union Congress-affiliated Zilla Cha Bagan Workers Union (ZCBWU) was set up at Kurty Tea Estate.[2] ZCBWU organised a gherao at the company offices and a strike in January 1966, to which the tea garden management responded with dismissals of workers.[2] In 1969 the ZCBWU organised a two-week long strike.[2] Oraon, the garden secretary of ZCBWU, emerged as a popular leader of the Kurty Tea Estate workers and was noted for his charisma.[2] The socialists gradually lost their foothold at the Kurty Tea Estate.[2] In 1970 the Kurty Tea Estate management planned to shut down its tea leaf processing factory and instead ship green tea leaves to another plant.[2] Oraon organised a protest movement, picketing the tea garden for two weeks before the management withdrew plans for factory closure.[2] He lost his right leg during this protest, trying to drive away a tractor.[2]

Legislator

Oraon was elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in the 1972 election from the Nagrakata constituency, obtaining 21,429 votes (57.16%) against 14,463 votes (38.58%) for the incumbent CPI(M) legislator Punai Oraon.[3] In July 1972 the Governor of West Bengal appointed Oraon to the West Bengal Tribes Advisory Council.[4]

CPI fielded Oraon as its candidate in the Mal constituency in the 1977 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, finishing in fourth place with 4,816 votes (12.10%).[5]

Personal life

He was married to Kamila, and the couple had four sons and one daughter.[1] He lived at the Nageswari Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri district.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Who's who 1972: General Election, March 1972. West Bengal Legislative Assembly Secretariat, 1974. p. 63
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Kanchan Sarker. Study of Trade Union Organisation Among The Tea Workers in Terai and Dooars Regions. 1992. pp. 126, 128, 130, 135, 178, 180
  3. ^ Election Commission of India. STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1972 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF WEST BENGAL
  4. ^ THE CALCUTTA GAZETTE, JANUARY 4, 1973. p. 17-18
  5. ^ Election Commission of India. STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1977 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF WEST BENGAL
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prem_Oraon
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