ALTHOUGH International Workers Day is still observed in our society with the kind of respect that`s required for it, in the past it had a widespread and passionate following at least that`s how it seems. In 1973, for example, on the eve of May Day, an impressive torchlight procession was taken out by the workers in Karachi. The parade, organised by the Muttahida Mazdoor Federation, Sindh, started from Shaheed Chowk in Banaras Colony and terminated at Bara Maidaan after passing through Nazimabad.

On May 1, a good number of events were arranged. The PECHS Girls College took the lead over all educational institutions by holding a lively speech contest and a variety show. Presided over by the Provincial Labour Minister, Abdul Sattar Gabol, the function lasted for a little less than two hours ending with an exhibition of paintings with which the students had decorated the auditorium where the event was arranged.

Then the `first-of-a-kind` women`s meeting in Karachi was held to assure workers of their sustained support in thestruggle to free themselves from exploitation, hunger and disease. Held under the auspices of the Anjuman Jamhuriat Pasand Khawateen at Katrak Hall, it was chaired by the anjuman`s president, Begum Mumtaz Noorani and was addressed by women workers, girl students, labour leaders, writers and poets including Kaneez Fatima, Fahmida Riaz, Saroor Barabankvi, Karamat Ali and Anis Roohi.

Ironically, on May 3, about 500 class IV railway employees went on a lightning strike disrupting railway traffic for over five hours to press the authorities to accept their demands. Their demands included reservation of a separate compartment for all class IV employees; payment of wages as promised to the workers the previous month; and issuance of passes to the gang staff on duty.

If that wasn`t enough to disturb the working class movement, on May 4 it was reported that oil paintings depicting the struggle of workers by a young artist were not allowed to exhibit at the Arts Council. Earlier, the council had also cancelled a play having a progressive theme to be staged to celebrate the passing of the country`snew constitution. The paintings, by Shamim Ahmed, were later put on display at the Karachi Press Club. Progressive circles viewed the Arts Council`s measures with concern.

Staying on the subject of art and politics, on May 6, glowing tributes were paid to the Central Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Hajj and Auqaf, Maulana Kausar Niazi for his invaluable services to the field of literature at a local hotel. On the occasion, books written by Maulana Niazi and sponsored by the National Book Centre of Pakistan were introduced. The publications were: Bunyadi Haqiqatein, Baseerat, Islam Hamara Deen, Aina-i-Taslees and Takhleeq-iAdam. The tribute was presided over by Pir Hisamuddin Rashdi and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Dr Mahmud Husain was the chief guest. The speakers Dr A Waheed, Hamid Mahmud, Syed Mohammad Taqqi and Mumtaz Hasan were of the opinion that the author had rendered a great service to the ideology of Pakistan. The books, they added, would go a long way in reforming the younger generation which was rapidly deviating from the teachings of Islam.