Rao first started working for the working class along with former trade unionist and politician George Fernandes. "Fernandes spotted his leadership qualities. Rao then quit his job with Hindustan Lever in 1967 to join the Bombay Labour Union as secretary," recalled AL Quadros of Mumbai Taximen's Union.
Trade Union leader Sharad Rao died on Thursday afternoon, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. With his demise, an era of struggle by the unorganised sector comes to an end. The 77-year-old veteran leader died around 4pm, while on way to a hospital.
Rao first started working for the working class along with former trade unionist and politician George Fernandes. "Fernandes spotted his leadership qualities. Rao then quit his job with Hindustan Lever in 1967 to join the Bombay Labour Union as secretary," recalled AL Quadros of Mumbai Taximen's Union.
While working with the Bombay Labour Union, Rao slogged for the rights of workers in various unorganised sectors, such as hawking, cloth markets and hotels. A couple of the several unions that he led included Mumbai Autorickshawmen Union and Hind Mazdoor Sabha.
Another agitation that he led was the historic struggle for over 2 lakh pavement dwellers, regarding the right to shelter. "I had the opportunity to work him in 1967. We worked together on various movements, such as the historic BEST strike, railway strike of 1974 and a number of strikes by auto, truck and bus operators," Quadros said.
After Rao was diagnosed with cancer, the reins of the labour unions were handed over to his son Shashank Rao. On Wednesday, his son led an auto-rickshaw strike in Mumbai against cab aggregators and private bus operators.
"He was my guru (teacher). We worked together under the same banner for 30 years. It was only in 2011 that I formed another autorickshaw union. He was knowledgeable about the subjects that he used to fight for and always had a perspective to issues. He had very valid arguments," said Thampi Kurien of the Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union.
Earlier, Rao was a member of the Samajwadi Party and the then Janata Dal (Secular). Later, he joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and unsuccessfully contested the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections in 2014. His ambition of getting elected as a public representative remained unfulfilled.
Rao's daughter Shilpa lives in Canara. So, the family is waiting for her to fly down to Mumbai. Rao's body will remain at his Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (W) residence. People will be allowed to pay last respects at his residence, between 7 and 10am, on Saturday (September 3). He will be cremated at the Oshiwara crematorium.
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