Examine the various stages of peasant movements in India.

1. Introduction

Peasant movements in India have played a crucial role in shaping the socio-economic and political landscape of the country. Spanning different historical periods, these movements have reflected the struggles and aspirations of the agrarian class. This examination delves into the various stages of peasant movements in India, tracing their evolution, causes, and impact on the nation's agrarian structure.

2. Early Resistance Movements (Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century)

Colonial Land Revenue Policies:
The roots of peasant movements in India can be traced back to the oppressive land revenue policies implemented by the British colonial rulers. The Permanent Settlement of 1793 and the subsequent system of land revenue collection imposed heavy burdens on peasants, leading to widespread discontent.

Zamindari and Ryotwari Systems:
The imposition of the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems further exacerbated the exploitation of peasants. While the former involved intermediaries, the zamindars, extracting exorbitant rents from peasants, the latter directly taxed individual cultivators, often leading to impoverishment.

Early Forms of Resistance:
Peasant resistance during this period took various forms, including sporadic revolts, refusal to pay taxes, and attacks on oppressive landlords. Leaders like Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in Bihar and the Deccan Riots in the Madras Presidency laid the groundwork for organized peasant movements that would gain momentum in the decades to come.

3. All India Kisan Sabha and the Rise of Organized Movements (1920s – 1940s)

Formation of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS):
The 1920s witnessed the formalization of peasant movements with the establishment of the All India Kisan Sabha in 1936. Led by figures like N.G. Ranga and Sahajanand Saraswati, AIKS aimed to unify peasants across regions and articulate their demands, emphasizing issues like land reforms, fair prices for agricultural produce, and opposition to landlordism.

Tebhaga Movement in Bengal:
The Tebhaga Movement (1946-47) in Bengal was a significant episode during this period, demanding the reduction of the share of the produce taken by landlords from half to two-thirds. The movement highlighted the issue of agrarian exploitation and contributed to the broader discourse on land reforms.

4. Post-Independence Period and Land Reforms (1950s – 1970s)

Land Reforms Legislation:
Post-independence, various states in India undertook land reforms as a response to the demands of the peasant movements. Land Ceiling Acts were enacted to limit the extent of land that an individual could own, aiming to redistribute surplus land among landless peasants.

Peasant Movements in Punjab and Haryana:
The Green Revolution in the 1960s brought changes to agriculture but also led to disparities. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Punjab and Haryana witnessed the Naxalite Movement and the demands for land reforms and fair wages. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973) in Punjab reflected the agrarian discontent in the region.

5. National Farmers' Movements and Agrarian Crisis (1980s Onward)

Farmers' Protests and Agrarian Crisis:
The 1980s marked the emergence of national-level farmers' movements, with protests against policies such as the introduction of high-cost technology and the opening up of the economy. The agrarian crisis, characterized by issues like farmer suicides, increased production costs, and inadequate pricing, became a focal point of discontent.

National Level Organizations:
Organizations like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKMS) became prominent voices for farmers' rights. They organized protests, agitations, and campaigns to draw attention to the challenges faced by the agrarian community, calling for debt relief, fair prices, and policy reforms.

6. Recent Trends: MSP Protests and Beyond

MSP Protests and Farmer Bills:
In recent years, protests led by farmers, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, gained national attention. The farmers' agitation against the farm bills passed in 2020 focused on concerns related to Minimum Support Prices (MSP), corporate control, and the impact of liberalization on agriculture.

Digital Activism and Social Media:
The farmers' movements in the 21st century have leveraged digital activism and social media to mobilize support, organize protests, and disseminate information. Hashtags like #FarmersProtest became symbols of the struggle and drew attention globally.

7. Conclusion

In conclusion, the stages of peasant movements in India reflect a continuum of resistance against oppressive colonial policies, demands for land reforms, and contemporary struggles against agrarian crises and policy decisions. These movements have been instrumental in shaping policies, fostering agrarian reforms, and amplifying the voices of the farming community. While progress has been made, challenges persist, emphasizing the ongoing importance of organized peasant movements in India.