Farmers in Social Movements: Political Processes in India

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the role of farmers in Indian political movements.
2. Analyze the impact of various agrarian reforms on political processes.
3. Examine the intersection of rural livelihoods and political mobilization.
4. Assess the influence of farmer protests on state policy and legislation.

Farmers in India have historically played a pivotal role in shaping political and social movements. Agrarian structures, the role of the state, and economic challenges have all contributed to the rise of farmer movements that seek not just reforms but also structural changes. The relationship between farmers and political processes in India is complex, involving various actors, including political parties, the state, and civil society.

Historical Context of Farmer Movements

Farmer movements in India have roots that extend back to colonial times when peasants resisted the oppressive policies of the British colonial state. The legacy of these movements continued after independence, influencing both political strategies and government policies.

Pre-Independence Movements

The British colonial regime imposed high land revenues, creating widespread discontent among peasants. Several revolts and uprisings were responses to these injustices. These movements laid the foundation for future political mobilizations.

1. Indigo Revolt: In the 19th century, the Indigo Revolt of 1859–60 in Bengal saw peasants rising against European planters who forced them to cultivate indigo under exploitative conditions.
2. Champaran Movement: Led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, the Champaran Satyagraha focused on indigo farmers in Bihar who were forced by British planters to grow indigo under coercive agreements.
3. Bardoli Satyagraha: In 1928, under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, farmers in Bardoli, Gujarat, revolted against increased taxes during a time of famine, eventually forcing the British to roll back their oppressive taxation policies.

Important Note: Early farmer movements often merged agrarian issues with larger nationalist struggles, creating a symbiotic relationship between peasant movements and broader political objectives.

Post-Independence Agrarian Movements

After independence, the dynamics of farmer movements evolved as India’s political landscape shifted from colonial rule to democracy. The Green Revolution, land reforms, and the rise of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) are significant markers in the post-independence history of farmer movements.

1. Telangana Rebellion: This armed peasant uprising (1946–1951) in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh was aimed at feudal exploitation by landlords. Though crushed by the state, it was a crucial event that brought agrarian issues to the forefront of the national agenda.
2. Land Reforms: During the 1950s and 1960s, land reforms were introduced by the state with mixed success. While some states implemented land ceiling laws, the lack of effective enforcement led to continued peasant disenfranchisement.
3. Green Revolution: In the late 1960s, the Green Revolution transformed Indian agriculture, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. While it led to increased agricultural productivity, it also exacerbated economic disparities between different groups of farmers.

Political Mobilization of Farmers in India

The political mobilization of farmers has had profound implications for Indian democracy. Various farmer unions and organizations have emerged, often aligned with or opposed to political parties, reflecting the deeply embedded nature of agrarian concerns in the Indian political sphere.

Emergence of Farmer Unions

The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of various farmer unions that operated at both regional and national levels. These unions sought not only better economic conditions but also policy influence in an increasingly competitive political environment.

1. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU): Formed in 1980 in western Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Tikait, the BKU became a powerful voice for middle-class farmers. The union mobilized farmers around demands for higher minimum support prices (MSPs), lower electricity tariffs, and better irrigation facilities.
2. Shetkari Sanghatana: Founded by Sharad Joshi in Maharashtra, this organization represented the interests of cotton and sugarcane farmers, focusing on removing government restrictions on market prices and advocating for a free market in agriculture.
3. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS): A left-leaning farmers’ organization, the AIKS had its roots in the independence movement and continued to represent the interests of poor and marginal farmers. It has been involved in movements against land acquisition and corporate farming.

Farmers and Electoral Politics

Farmer unions have not remained aloof from electoral politics. In fact, they have played an active role in shaping political discourse, often acting as pressure groups to extract concessions from political parties.

1. Electoral Mobilization: Farmer unions, especially the BKU, have directly and indirectly influenced elections. During the 1990s, they formed alliances with political parties, such as the Janata Dal, and helped tilt the electoral balance in favor of farmer-friendly policies.
2. Regionalism: In states like Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra, farmer movements have significantly shaped regional politics, creating a distinctive agrarian-political identity that often challenges the central government on issues like agricultural pricing, subsidies, and land acquisition.
3. Farm Bills and Protests: The most recent example of political mobilization is the nationwide protests against the Farm Bills of 2020. Led by various unions, including the BKU and AIKS, these protests culminated in a year-long struggle that forced the government to repeal the laws.

Process Flow:
Economic Reforms → Agrarian Inequalities → Political Mobilization → State Response → Policy Revisions

Government Policies and Farmer Movements

Farmer movements have had a significant impact on government policies. Various agrarian reforms have been shaped by the pressure exerted by these movements, demonstrating the intricate link between social mobilization and political processes.

Minimum Support Prices (MSP)

The demand for MSPs has been a central feature of farmer movements, particularly in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where wheat and rice cultivation dominate. The Bharatiya Kisan Union played a crucial role in pressuring the government to raise MSPs in the 1980s and 1990s.

1. Impact of MSPs: While MSPs have ensured price stability for farmers, they have also created a reliance on a few crops, distorting agricultural diversity. The high procurement of rice and wheat has led to issues of water scarcity in Punjab and Haryana.
2. Political Implications: The government’s procurement policies through the MSP mechanism have often been influenced by electoral considerations, with parties promising higher MSPs to gain the support of the farming community.

Land Acquisition Laws

The conflict over land acquisition has been a major driver of farmer protests, especially since the liberalization of the economy in the 1990s, which increased the demand for land for industrial and infrastructure projects.

1. Land Acquisition Act of 2013: Passed under the UPA government, this law aimed to balance the interests of farmers and developers. However, its complex provisions led to delays in infrastructure projects, leading to attempts to dilute the law under subsequent governments.
2. Farmer Resistance: The dilution of land acquisition laws has met with stiff resistance from farmer organizations, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, where land is a vital economic asset for rural communities.

Important Note: The issue of land acquisition not only affects economic livelihoods but also the social identity of farmers, making it a deeply emotional and politically charged issue.

Agricultural Reforms and the State

Over the years, successive Indian governments have attempted to introduce agricultural reforms aimed at liberalizing the sector. However, these reforms have often faced stiff opposition from farmers who fear losing their livelihoods and control over agricultural markets.

1. Farm Bills of 2020: These controversial bills aimed to deregulate agricultural markets, allowing farmers to sell produce outside mandis regulated by the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). The government claimed these reforms would increase farmer incomes, but farmers feared it would lead to the erosion of the MSP system.
2. Repeal of the Farm Bills: Following nationwide protests, the Modi government repealed the bills in 2021, highlighting the power of farmer mobilization in shaping policy.

Conclusion

Farmer movements in India have been integral to the country’s political processes. These movements, rooted in economic grievances, have had a profound impact on shaping state policies, electoral politics, and agrarian reforms. From the Telangana Rebellion to the recent Farm Bill protests, the political agency of farmers continues to evolve, reflecting their central role in the Indian political landscape.

MCQ:
Which organization led by Mahendra Singh Tikait played a significant role in farmer mobilization in western Uttar Pradesh?
A) All India Kisan Sabha
B) Bharatiya Kisan Union
C) Shetkari Sanghatana
D) Telangana Peasant Uprising
Answer: B