May 1 is a date that resonates worldwide. It is widely known as International Labour Day, and it is a time to honour workers and their contribution to society. But in India, the day carries dual significance. While much of the country and the world celebrate the rights of labourers, the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat mark the day as their foundation day — a turning point in India’s post-independence history.
🔨 Why Labour Day is Celebrated on May 1
Originally a celebration of spring, May Day transformed into a symbol of workers’ rights on May 1, 1889, when the International Socialist Congress officially declared it a holiday for labourers. Since then, countries around the globe have marked the day with rallies, marches, and public gatherings to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity in employment.
The day is also marked by some fascinating global milestones:
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🏙️ In 1931, US President Herbert Hoover inaugurated the Empire State Building in New York City. Towering at 1,250 feet with 102 floors, it held the title of the world’s tallest building for four decades.
For Marathi speakers, the demand was clear: a separate state that reflected their language and culture. In 1956, the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti was founded, leading the charge for a new state that would include Bombay (now Mumbai), Vidarbha, and other Marathi-majority regions.
The Mahagujarat Movement and Khambhi Satyagrah
In Gujarat, the Mahagujarat Movement, active since 1928, demanded a unified state for Gujarati-speaking people — including regions like Saurashtra and Kutch. The movement intensified in the 1950s and came to a flashpoint during the Khambhi Satyagrah (Monument Movement) in Ahmedabad.
During a protest outside the Congress House in Ahmedabad, at least 5 to 8 college students lost their lives. They were demanding the creation of a separate Gujarat state. The tragic incident became a turning point in the movement. To honour their sacrifice, a Shaheed Smarak, also known as the Khambhi, was erected near Lal Darwaja AMTS Bus Stop in Bhadra, Ahmedabad. The memorial still stands today as a silent reminder of the cost of identity and self-determination.
✊ The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement: A Peaceful Struggle for Identity
While Gujarat’s Mahagujarat Movement took on a visible shape through protests like the Khambhi Satyagrah, the demand for a separate Marathi-speaking state gathered strength in parallel through the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.
Launched in 1956, the movement united people across caste, religion, and class, bound by a shared linguistic and cultural identity. Despite opposition from the central government, which feared that reorganising states on linguistic lines might threaten national unity, the movement maintained a non-violent stance.
The struggle, however, was not without complexity. While several Indian states like Bihar, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh had already been reorganised on linguistic grounds, Marathi and Telugu-speaking people had to fight longer and harder for their statehood.
Finally, on May 1, 1960, Maharashtra was born with Mumbai as its capital.
However, the joy was not without lingering issues. Several border villages, especially along the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, which had voted to join Maharashtra, were eventually included in Karnataka. This disputed region continues to be a point of contention even today, especially in areas like Belgaum.
📮 Back in 1840, the UK issued the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, known as the Penny Black, featuring Queen Victoria. This innovation laid the foundation for modern postal systems.
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Maharashtra was formed with Mumbai as its capital.
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Gujarat was created with Ahmedabad as its initial capital, later shifting to Gandhinagar.
In India, May 1 is also Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day, commemorating the creation of these two states in 1960. This wasn’t merely a political decision — it was the outcome of powerful linguistic movements that shaped India’s internal borders after independence.
Post-1947, India faced the challenge of governing a nation of linguistic and cultural diversity. The Bombay State, formed in 1956, included a mix of Marathi, Gujarati, Kutchi, and Konkani-speaking regions. Over time, calls for reorganisation intensified.
🛑 As It’s Workers’ Day — What’s Closed and What’s Open?
To mark both Labour Day and Statehood Day, several services are affected on May 1:
What’s Closed:
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🏦 Banks
Closed in cities including Mumbai, Nagpur, Belapur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad (AP & Telangana), Guwahati, Imphal, Kochi, Kolkata, Panaji, Patna, Raipur, and Thiruvananthapuram.
(As per RBI guidelines, state-wise variations apply.) -
📈 Stock Markets
Both NSE and BSE are shut.
Trading across equities, derivatives, currencies, and SLB segments is suspended. -
🏫 Schools & Government Offices
Closed in Maharashtra and several other states, observing Labour Day. -
🍾 Liquor Shops
Closed across Maharashtra, which observes May 1 as a dry day.
What’s Open:
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🏥 Hospitals & Emergency Services
Will operate as usual. -
🚌 Public Transport
Buses, metros, taxis, and trains continue to run.
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May 1 is more than a holiday. It’s a reminder of people’s power, the pursuit of justice, and the ongoing journey toward inclusive governance.
