Yesterday evening, the Madras High Court ordered all the transport employees to resume to their duties. The First Division Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose passed the order on Public Interest Litigation filed by the freelance Journalist Varaaki.
The Judges stated the transport employees did have the right to protest but the Court did not accept them going on a strike without prior notice. The Court agreed with the Advocate General Vijay Narayan that the workers could not hold the general public to ransom. The Court further gave a notice to the Unions participating in the strike that the Court will hear the case on Monday.
The Court said, “There will be an interim order restraining the transport workers, especially, the drivers and conductors, from taking recourse to strike.” An order released by the Court read, “Any worker refraining from attending to work or performing duty shall do so at their own risk of the consequences thereof including termination of their services and penalisation for gross contempt of this Court.”
The Tamil Nadu Transport Minister M. R. Vijayabhaskar called upon the transport workers to resume their services and also warned them of legal action if they failed to comply. Vijayabhaskar said, “I request the employees and Trade Unions who are involved in this unnecessary strike to realise the factual situation and get back to work as per the Court directive.” He alleged some Trade Unions were misleading the workers. Vijayabaskar further said, “If the employees continue with the protest and cause trouble to people, the Government will not hesitate to take action as per law against them.”
The Unions claimed they did not receive the Court order and further stated they will present their case properly on Monday. It is said a few more Unions joined the strike numbering it to a total of 17 Unions participating. The General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) said the workers are not worried about the action from the Government. He further added that any protest will attract action. The Leader of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) A. Soundarrajan said the Court did not hear their claims.
When asked about the strike Soundarrajan said, “It will continue. It will continue till our problems end.” Yesterday, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K. Palaniswami held a meeting including Ministers and Senior Officials. Soundarrajan who participated in the meeting said not even 10% of the buses are being operated across the State.
Following the strike, commuters alleged autos and private buses are overcharging. Chennai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Madurai are the worst hit cities. Police personnel are posted at bus depots to prevent any unexpected incidents.
