Mumbai’s dabbawalas on one-day strike to back Hazare

Over 200,000 Mumbai dwellers will not get delivery of their lunch boxes by the city's famous dabbawalas today, as for the first time in their 120-year history, they are on a one-day strike in support of Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption movement.

After much deliberation, the dabbawalas' association, the Mumbai Jevan Dabbe Vahatuk Mandal, decided on the one-day strike. The 5,000-member association has informed customers that they will have to shift for themselves today.

"We have decided that we will not deliver any dabba tomorrow. As of now, it is a one-day thing, and we will plan our subsequent move," said Kiran Gavande, secretary of the association, on Thursday.

Gavande added that the dabbawalas will gather at Azad Maidan today and some might fast. "We are not forcing anyone to fast. If someone wants to, he can. This is being done in solidarity with Anna Hazare. We feel that the country needs the jan lokpal bill and it should be put into effect," said Gavande.

On 5 August, when Hazare was threatening to go an indefinite strike from 16 August onwards, the dabbawalas had said that they would fast on 16 August; but that decision was put in abeyance.

"We did supply tiffins on that day, but now we feel we have to strengthen our support for Hazare. We will also march from Churchgate to Azad Maidan around 10.30am. Corruption is there at every level and the bill should cover all," said Parakash Andre, another dabbawala.