Date:13/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081351450901.htm

Miscellaneous - This Day That Age

dated August 13, 1958: Recent strike in The Hindu

The Swadesamitran, in a leading article in the issue dated August 9, wrote: The Hindu of Madras suspended publication from the 5th August. This was brought about as the result of a sudden strike in the institution. During its eighty years of highly valued service to the public, such a thing has not happened to The Hindu which enjoys a pre-eminent position in the newspaper world. This apart, it is necessary in this connection to recognise the differences between newspapers as such and other industries. A newspaper has to give the news daily. Continuous publication is necessary. Interruption in this service will greatly inconvenience the readers of big newspapers. There can be no break in the continuity under any circumstances. Though a large number of employees were willing to work, through want of protection for them the paper had to cease publication. It cannot be denied that some workers have a right to work as some others have to strike. It is the duty of the government to protect those who choose to work from injuries and danger to life. The Searchlight, Patna, wrote on August 9: The strike infection which is the logical product of government’s present labour policy has affected, even The Hindu, known for its extravagantly generous treatment of its employees.