Question

Write short note.

Farmers’ Movement in post-independence period

Answer 1

1. The emergence of Farmers’ Movement in the post-independence era can be located somewhere in the 1970s. New ideological perspectives influenced the course of the movement.
2. The unrest was felt in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
3. In the 1960s and 70s, the movement became more organised. 
4. Charansingh opposed heavy mechanisation and industrialisation. He also formed the Bharatiya Kranti Dal (BKD) and the Bhartiya Lok Dal (BLD) in 1974. 
5. By the 1970s, farmers started forming their groups, without the backing of any political organisation. 
6. In 1973, a convention of farmers was held in New Delhi, it was followed by yet another convention in 1978. It presented a 20-point charter of demands to the government. 
7. During this time, Tamil Nadu and Punjab witnessed emergence of strong farmers’ organisations. 
8. In 1980, formation of the Shetkari Sangatana under the leadership of Sharad Joshi and Karnataka Rajya Ryot Sangh under the leadership of M. D. Nanjundaswamy are milestones in the Farmers’ Movement.
9. With industrialisation and globalisation, conditions have changed rapidly for farmers. Farmers continue to suffer due to seasonal fluctuations, apathy of the government, negligence by masses and abysmal work conditions.
10. In March 2018, thousands of farmers from different parts of Maharashtra got together to march to Azad Maidan (Mumbai), to convey their grievances and frustrations to the government. The term ‘Farmers’ Strike’ was used by media personnel for the first time ever. A radically new chapter was added to the farmers’ movement in India.