Volume : 10, Issue : 6, JUN 2024

KRISHAK MUKTI SANGRAM SAMITI AND THE RESURGENCE OF PEASANT MOVEMENT IN ASSAM

ROMAN BORGOHAIN

Abstract

In the history of India, peasants have always revolted in different phases of time against exploitation and oppression. Assam too witnessed peasant struggles during the latter half of 18^th century against Ahom regime. In the 19^th century, Assamese peasantry rose against British colonial rulers due to harsh taxation policies. However the colonial regime used to suppress those peasant uprisings with brutal use of force. The raijmels used to play the crucial role in the peasant struggle during colonial period. However in the post-independence period, political parties, particularly the leftist parties began to lead and patronize the peasant movement in India. The peasant movement in Assam too was heavily influenced by the leftist political parties. Meanwhile raiyat sabhas played important role in the peasant struggle in Assam after independence. Many scholars argue about the role of middle class in those struggles but there are counter arguments for the same. It is mentionable that the peasant movement in Assam lost it’s militant character in the post-independence period. The strength of the peasants gradually waned in the last quarter of 20^th century. Lack of strong leadership and efficient organization was one of the reasons behind such decline. Besides, the burning issues of the peasants remained unsolved due lack of interest from the government. However in 2005, a peasant based organization called Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) emerged in Assam. The KMSS launched protest movement against eviction, corruption and demanded for the permanent land rights to the peasants. Soon it became the voice of vulnerable peasants and thereby led the resurgence of peasant movement in Assam in 21^st century.

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References

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3. Ibid.
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13. Ibid.
14. SinghaRoy, “Peasant Movement,” op. cit, p.33.
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16. Ibid.
17. Ibid., p. 146.
18. Ibid., p. 147.
19. KMSS, “Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti,” op. cit
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid., pp. 5-6.
22. Ibid., p. 5.
23. Ibid., pp. 7-8.
24. Ibid., pp. 8-9.
25. Ibid., p. 10.
26. Ibid., p. 8.
27. Ibid., p. 9.
28. PTI. “70 Organisations Protest Against Citizenship Bill In Assam, Security High”. 2 Nov. 2018. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/70-organisations-protest-against-citizenship-bill-in-assam-security-high-1948529.
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