In the context of early attempts at labour reforms during the late 19th Century consider the followi...........

Modern Indian History 1857-1885

In the context of early attempts at labour reforms during the late 19th Century, consider the following statements:

1. Sasipada Banerjea set up a Workingmen’s Club in 1870 and brought out a monthly journal called Bharat Sramjeebi.

2. In Bombay, Narayan Meghajee Lokhanday brought out an AngloMarathi weekly called Deenbandhu.

3. G.G. Agarkar formed the Bombay Mill and Millhands’ Association in 1890 to advocate labour reforms.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Before the organised efforts towards labour reforms began during the Swadeshi Movement, there were some early attempts to improve the condition of the workers.
In Bengal, Sasipada Banerjea, a Brahmo Social reformer, set up a Workingmen’s Club in 1870 and brought out a monthly journal called Bharat Sramjeebi (Indian Labour), with the primary idea of educating the workers. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
In Bombay, Narayan Meghajee Lokhanday brought out an Anglo-Marathi weekly called Deenbandhu (Friend of the Poor) in 1880. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Bombay Mill and Millhands’ Association was also formed in 1890 by N.M. Lokhanday, not by G.G. Agarkar. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct. Lokhanday held meetings of workers and in one instance sent a memorial signed by 5,500 mill workers, to the Bombay Factory Commission, putting forward some minimum workers’ demands.
All these efforts were admittedly of a philanthropic nature and did not represent the beginnings of an organized working class movement. Moreover, these philanthropists did not belong to the mainstream of the contemporary national movement.
G.G. Agarkar who was a radical thinker, contributed in publishing articles in Mahratta(Marathi) and supported the workers’ cause and asked the mill owners to make concessions to them.
In 1878, Sorabjee Shapoorji Bengalee tried unsuccessfully to introduce a Bill in the Bombay Legislative Council to limit the working hours for labour.