1.
GV Procession marching through streets carrying placard.
0.06

2.
GV PAN Procession marches past carrying flags and banners.
0.34

3.
GVs procession marching past. (2 SHOTS)
1.04

4.
GV Parliament House.
1.09

5.
GV Police with riot shields and batons.
1.15

6.
TOP SHOT PAN Trade Union leader addresses rally in English.
1.44


SPEECH (TRANSCRIPT):



SEQ. 6: TRADE UNION LEADER: "We are here from all corners of the country to register our condemnation of the central government policy which are daily aggravating the pattern of galloping prices and essential commodities causing unbearable suffering to the toiling masses and attacking the workers where there is a moment, living standards, disturbing the rights and democratic rights of the people which have been secured through decades of bitter struggle and heroic sacrifices."





Initials JS





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In new Delhi, thousands of marchers have protested outside the Indian parliament this week (23-28 November) at the government's introduction of strong anti-strike laws and continuing rising prices. The demonstrations were from India's trade union movement which claims the policies of the government of Indira Gandhi are anti-labour.

SYNOPSIS: As the Indian Parliament met for the first day of the winter session, half a million demonstrators marched in a rally to the Boat club. Their plan was to protest at two government Acts which, they say interfere with civil liberties. They were demanding the withdrawal of the National Security Law as well as the Essential Services Act. These Acts allow the government to detain anyone for up to a year without trial and also give the government the right to ban strikes in any industry.

The forty trade unions which organised the rally were also complaining that the government had failed to take decisive action against rising prices. They said the prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, had launched an all-round attack on trade union and the rights of the indian people. The march in New Delhi coincided with another large demonstration in the state of Assam. There, police fired on a crowd, killing one person, as a 36-hour general strike commenced.

While the government came under strong attack from the Opposition inside the parliament, outside, police mounted a strong guard as the demonstrators approached.