Celebrate the Revolutionary Legacy, Honour the Sacrifices, and March Forward With Unbreakable Resolve
Just two days before India awakened to freedom, on 13th August 1947, three historic organisations—AIPRMS Union, IPTU and ITA—united to form the Union of Posts and Telegraphs Workers (UPTW). Even before the tricolour rose high, the workers of P&T had already raised the banner of unity and class struggle. The Government, fearing the iron resolve of postal and telegraph workers, recognized UPTW without allowing the unions to merge—yet the unity of workers stood stronger than all barriers.
UPTW held its first AIC at Madras from 24–27 May 1948, and with tremendous courage, served a strike notice on 1 February 1949, demanding justice through a 28-point charter. The strike was set for 9 March 1949, supported by the Railway Unions. Alarmed by this united assertion of workers’ power, the newly formed Government unleashed unprecedented repression—leaders like O. P. Gupta, V. S. Menon, K. G. Bose and Dada Ghosh were arrested, houses were raided, union offices locked, and the rest detained, denied bail and dragged back to their home states like criminals.
Yet repression could not silence the call of justice. When the Bengal Province Union of UPTW decided to stand firm and strike, mass arrests followed. Nearly 300 P&T and Railway workers languished in jails till the end of 1949, facing dismissal, termination and charge sheets. The scars were deep, but the spirit remained unbroken.
The Government, frightened by the militant unity of workers, attempted to label UPTW as a “permanent menace” and crush the movement. Yet the workers answered with louder unity. On 29 January 1951, UPTW spearheaded the historic Anti-Black Bill Day, forcing the Government to withdraw the anti-worker Labour Relations Amendment Bill. Negotiations with Communication Minister Rafi Ahmad Kidwai in 1950 led to reinstatement of most dismissed workers, though giants like K. G. Bose, Saroj Mohan Chatterjee and Moni Bose continued to suffer victimization.
The real turning point came in the Nagpur AIC, 1953. Under the towering leadership of Dada Ghosh, unity was rebuilt brick by brick. He appealed to all unions to accept the realignment scheme, not as a compromise, but as a call for stronger, militant unity across cadres.
Thus emerged the historic Realignment Scheme, forming 9 all-India unions and, at the top, a mighty Federation. On 24 November 1954, at Vinaynagar, Delhi, the Federal Council met and gave birth to the legendary National Federation of Posts & Telegraphs Employees (NFPTE) with Dada Ghosh as the first Secretary-General. Recognition by the Government followed on 4 March 1955, but the true recognition had already been bestowed by the workers of India through sacrifice, unity and revolutionary determination.
On 20 April 1955, NFPTE displayed its power—5,000 workers marched, newspapers carried the voice of P&T employees nationwide, and the movement roared like never before. The first anniversary of NFPTE on 24 November 1955 became a celebration of a militant legacy, built on courage and collective power.
From the humble beginnings of the Postal Club, Calcutta, 1905, to its formal recognition in 1954, and its transformation into NFPE after the P&T bifurcation in 1986, this organization has stood tall through derecognition in 1960, 1968, and again now since 26 April 2023 —unshaken, undefeated, and unbent.
Because NFPE was never “recognized” by governments.
NFPE was recognized by its members—through sacrifice, blood, jail, hunger, unity, and struggle.
Recognition is not given. Recognition is earned. And NFPE earned it through 120 years of uncompromising struggle.
No Government can derecognize a movement that lives in the hearts of lakhs of postal workers.
Today, as we celebrate the 71st Anniversary of NFPTE/NFPE, let every bonafide member remember:
NFPE is not merely a federation—it is a movement.
NFPE is not a file in the Ministry—it is a fire in the hearts of workers.
NFPE cannot be derecognized—because it is immortalized by sacrifice.
Now is the time to carry this legacy forward.
Now is the time to show the same militancy that our forefathers showed in 1949, 1951, 1960 and 1968.
Now is the time to strengthen unity, organization and struggle.
Let no worker fear derecognition.
Let every worker rise with determination.
Our recognition comes from our members, not from notifications.
NFPE lives because its members live the movement.
NFPE stands because its members stand together.
NFPE marches forward because its members march as one.NFPE Zindabad.
NFPE Long Live.
Workers’ Unity Long Live.
Struggle is our heritage.
Victory is our destiny.
– Bruhaspati Samal -
Ex–All India Organizing General Secretary, CHQ, New Delhi & Ex–Circle Secretary, Odisha, NFPE (P-III)
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