IGNOUMATIC

The agrarian movement in India has been a significant and recurring force throughout the country’s history, shaped by the economic, political, and social dynamics of rural life. These movements have often emerged in response to the exploitation and marginalization of farmers, who have faced numerous challenges, including high taxes, oppressive land tenure systems, inadequate agricultural policies, and exploitation by landlords and moneylenders. The agrarian movements in India have not only sought economic justice but also social and political rights for the peasantry, making them central to India’s social and political landscape.

1. Early Agrarian Movements:

The roots of agrarian movements in India can be traced back to the colonial period, when British land policies exacerbated the exploitation of the rural population. The British colonial state introduced systems like the Permanent Settlement (1793) and the Ryotwari System, which burdened peasants with heavy taxes and often deprived them of land rights. The zamindari system, where landlords (zamindars) were given control over agricultural land and its revenues, led to the exploitation of tenant farmers.

During this time, several agrarian movements emerged as a response to the oppressive conditions faced by peasants. One of the most notable was the Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856), in which tribal peasants revolted against the oppressive practices of landlords and moneylenders. Another significant movement was the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) led by Mahatma Gandhi, which focused on the exploitation of indigo farmers in Bihar by British planters. This was the first major instance where Gandhi applied his principle of non-violent resistance, and it helped mobilize the agrarian community against exploitative practices.

2. Post-Independence Agrarian Movements:

After India gained independence in 1947, the agrarian landscape remained largely unchanged for several years. The promises made in the Constitution, such as land reforms and social justice, were not fully realized, leading to continued struggles in the rural areas. The government’s land reform policies, such as the Abolition of Zamindari Act and the introduction of land ceiling laws, were insufficiently implemented, and peasants continued to suffer from the exploitative practices of landlords and moneylenders.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the government introduced land reforms with the aim of improving the economic conditions of peasants, but their effectiveness was limited due to the resistance of local elites and the lack of political will at the state level. The failure of land reforms and the persistence of inequality led to the emergence of a new wave of agrarian movements during the 1960s and 1970s.

3. The Green Revolution and its Impact:

The Green Revolution (1960s-1980s) brought about significant changes in Indian agriculture, particularly in the northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The introduction of high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, and irrigation transformed agricultural production, leading to increased food production. However, the benefits of the Green Revolution were unevenly distributed, and its focus on large-scale, capital-intensive farming marginalized small farmers and tenant farmers.

The Green Revolution also led to increased agricultural commercialization and the concentration of land in the hands of wealthier farmers. As a result, many poorer peasants faced displacement, indebtedness, and exploitation by large landowners. This inequality gave rise to protests and movements such as the Punjab Peasant Movement (1980s), which demanded better wages, land reforms, and the end of exploitation by landowners and moneylenders.

4. The Role of the Left and Farmers’ Unions:

In the 1970s and 1980s, several left-wing political parties and trade unions began to play a crucial role in the agrarian movement. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), formed in 1936, became a major organization leading agrarian struggles, particularly in the rural areas of northern and central India. The AIKS and other farmers’ organizations pushed for a more comprehensive agrarian reform program that included land redistribution, better wages, and improved access to credit.

In addition to the AIKS, other farmers’ unions like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab also emerged as key players in organizing protests and strikes against unfair agricultural policies, low minimum support prices (MSP), and exploitation by landlords and agribusinesses. These unions became a critical force in shaping agrarian politics in India, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s.

5. The Contemporary Agrarian Crisis and Movements:

Despite the early promise of land reforms and the agricultural advances of the Green Revolution, India’s rural sector has faced significant crises in recent decades. The agrarian crisis in India today is marked by stagnating agricultural productivity, increasing farmer indebtedness, declining profitability, and widespread rural poverty. Factors such as poor irrigation facilities, dependence on monsoon rainfall, lack of access to modern technology, and volatile market prices have exacerbated the difficulties faced by farmers.

One of the most significant contemporary agrarian movements was the 2006 Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), which focused on the displacement of local communities due to the construction of dams, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The NBA, led by activist Medha Patkar, emphasized the socio-economic impact on farmers, especially those who were being displaced from their land and livelihoods due to large infrastructure projects.

6. The Farmers’ Protest of 2020-2021:

In recent years, the farmers’ protests against the Farm Bills passed by the Indian government in 2020 became one of the largest agrarian movements in the country. The three laws—Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act—were seen by many farmers as a move towards the privatization of agriculture and a threat to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. Farmers, especially from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, staged massive protests, demanding the repeal of the laws.

The protests were marked by widespread mobilization, use of social media, and solidarity from various political parties, unions, and civil society groups. The farmers argued that the laws would undermine the MSP system and leave them vulnerable to exploitation by large corporate buyers. The movement gained international attention, highlighting the persistent struggles of the agrarian community.

7. Conclusion:

The agrarian movement in India is a crucial component of the country’s socio-political fabric. From early colonial uprisings to post-independence struggles, the movement has continually sought to address the socio-economic issues of landlessness, exploitation, and inequality. While the state’s response has varied, with some successes in land reforms and agricultural policies, the ongoing agrarian crisis demonstrates that the needs of the rural population have not been fully addressed.

In recent years, the agrarian movement has increasingly focused on issues like fair pricing, debt relief, and protection from market fluctuations. As India’s economy continues to shift towards services and industry, the agrarian question remains central to the nation’s development, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to agricultural policy.