The All India Kisan Sabha (also known as the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha) is the peasant or farmers' wing of the Communist Party of India, an important peasant movement founded in 1936 by Sahajanand Saraswati during the Indian National Congress Lucknow Session in 1936. In this article, we will discuss the All India Kisan Sabha (1936) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

All India Kisan Sabha - Background

• The Kisan Sabha movement began in Bihar under the leadership of Sahajanand Saraswati, who founded the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929 to mobilize peasant grievances against zamindari attacks on their occupancy rights, igniting India's farmers' movements.
• The peasant movement gradually grew in strength and spread throughout the rest of India.
• All of these radical peasant developments culminated in the formation of the All India Kisan Sabha at the Indian National Congress's Lucknow session in April 1936, with Swami Sahajanand Saraswati elected as its first president.
• Other prominent members of this Sabha included N.G. Ranga, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Indulal Yagnik, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Z.A. Ahmed, Pandit Karyanand Sharma, Pandit Yamuna Karjee, Pandit Yadunandan (Jadunandan) Sharma, Rahul Sankrityayan, P. Sundarayya, Ram Manohar Lohia
• The Kisan Manifesto, issued in August 1936, demanded the abolition of the zamindari system and the cancellation of rural debts; in October 1937, it adopted the red flag as its banner.
• Soon after, its leaders grew increasingly estranged from Congress and clashed with Congress governments in Bihar and United Provinces.

All India Kisan Sabha - Features

• The All India Kisan Sabha was founded in April 1936 in Lucknow by Swami Sahjanand Saraswati as president and N.G. Ranga as general secretary.
• A kisan manifesto was issued, and a periodical was launched under the direction of Indulal Yagnik.
• In 1936, both the AIKS and the Congress met in Faizpur.
• The All India Kisan Sabha agenda had a strong influence on the Congress manifesto (particularly the agrarian policy) for the 1937 provincial elections.

All India Kisan Sabha - Objectives

• The Kisan Sabhas' initial goal was to foster mutual understanding between peasants and landlords. However, due to the landlords' obstinate and oppressive attitude, the Kisan Sabhas were forced to adopt a militant stance.
• They did, however, continue to spread nationalist ideology among the peasants in support of the Congress' political programme.
• The goal of All India Kisan Sabha was to abolish landlordism and provide free land to agricultural and other rural laborers.
• To raise the rural masses' standard of living while also developing agriculture and industry.
• It wanted to put an end to the exploitation of agricultural and other rural laborers.

All India Kisan Sabha - Outcome

• The movement became more dominated by Socialists and Communists as it moved away from the Congress.
• Members of the Congress were prohibited from becoming members of Kisan Sabhas during the Haripura session of the Congress in February 1938.
• When peasant movements faced severe repression in Princely States, Congress leaders did not intervene.
• During the Congress's Haripura session in 1938, the schism was obvious.
• By May 1942, the Communist Party of India (CPI) had taken control of the All India Kisan Sabha in all Indian states, including Bengal.
• It took the Communist Party's People's War stance and avoided the Quit India Movement, which began in August 1942, despite the fact that it would lose its popular base.
• Many of its members disobeyed party orders and participated in the revolution.
• It was more difficult for prominent members like N.G. Ranga, Indulal Yagnik, and Swami Sahajananda to address peasants without adopting a watered-down pro-British and pro-war stance. They quickly left the organization.

Conclusion

Swami Sahajanand Saraswati had a concrete legal vision for the formation of Indian society through the empowerment of peasants and workers, but he and his Kisan Sabha lacked a constitutional vision for the emerging independent nation of India. The All India Kisan Sabha was a well-known peasant struggle that began in the twentieth century against the Zamindari System. It helped farmers, peasants, and other agricultural and rural labourers improve their living conditions.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the All India Kisan Sabha in the Indian independence movement.

Answer: The All India Kisan Sabha, established in 1936, played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement by uniting farmers under a common platform to address their grievances. It represented the interests of the peasantry, advocating for the abolition of the zamindari system and debt relief, which were significant issues affecting agricultural productivity and the economic condition of farmers. The Sabha effectively mobilized rural masses, linking agrarian distress with the broader struggle against colonial rule. This mobilization not only heightened political consciousness among the rural population but also strengthened the overall nationalist movement. The Kisan Sabha's influence extended to the Quit India Movement, where it actively participated in mobilizing peasants for the cause of independence. Moreover, the Sabha's efforts laid the groundwork for subsequent agrarian reforms post-independence, highlighting its enduring impact on Indian agriculture and rural politics.

Q2: Analyze the role of leaders like Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in shaping the All India Kisan Sabha's objectives.

Answer: Leaders like Swami Sahajanand Saraswati were instrumental in shaping the objectives of the All India Kisan Sabha, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to agrarian issues. Saraswati's leadership provided a strong ideological foundation, focusing on the rights of farmers and the abolition of the zamindari system. He mobilized peasants by highlighting the exploitation they faced under colonial and feudal systems, thereby fostering a sense of solidarity among them. His emphasis on social justice and economic rights resonated deeply with the agrarian community, allowing the Sabha to articulate demands effectively. Furthermore, Saraswati's efforts in organizing farmers' meetings and rallies increased political awareness and participation among the rural populace. His vision not only shaped the immediate objectives of the Kisan Sabha but also contributed to the long-term narrative of agrarian struggles in India, influencing future generations of leaders and movements advocating for farmers' rights.

Q3: Discuss the challenges faced by the All India Kisan Sabha in its efforts to address agrarian issues.

Answer: The All India Kisan Sabha faced numerous challenges in its quest to address agrarian issues in India. One of the primary challenges was the entrenched zamindari system, which protected the interests of landlords and posed significant resistance to agrarian reforms. Additionally, the British colonial government often viewed the Kisan Sabha as a threat to their authority and responded with repression, including arrests and bans on protests. The organization also had to navigate the complexities of caste and communal identities within the rural population, which sometimes hindered unified action among farmers. Moreover, the rise of competing political ideologies, such as socialism and communism, created internal divisions regarding the best approach to agrarian reform. Despite these challenges, the Kisan Sabha persevered by fostering grassroots mobilization, advocating for legislative changes, and aligning its goals with the broader nationalist movement, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on India's agrarian landscape.

Previous Year Questions on  All India Kisan Sabha

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which of the following statements is correct regarding the All India Kisan Sabha?

a) It was formed in response to the Green Revolution.

b) It primarily focused on industrial workers' rights.

c) It aimed to address the grievances of Indian farmers.

d) It was established after the Quit India Movement.

Answer: c) It aimed to address the grievances of Indian farmers.

Explanation: The All India Kisan Sabha was established to advocate for the rights and interests of farmers in India, focusing on agrarian issues.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Analyze the impact of the All India Kisan Sabha on agrarian reforms in India. (200 words)

Answer: The All India Kisan Sabha significantly influenced agrarian reforms in India, advocating for the rights of farmers and addressing their grievances during the pre-independence era. Its establishment in 1936 marked a pivotal moment in the organization of rural workers, highlighting issues such as the zamindari system, high taxation, and debts incurred by farmers. The Kisan Sabha galvanized the peasantry, linking their struggles to the broader independence movement, which brought national attention to agrarian distress. Its advocacy efforts led to increased awareness of farmers’ rights, laying the groundwork for post-independence agricultural policies. The eventual abolition of zamindari in many regions was a direct result of the pressures exerted by the Kisan Sabha and similar movements, which emphasized the need for equitable land distribution. Moreover, the organization fostered a sense of political consciousness among rural populations, empowering them to demand changes in agrarian policies. The legacy of the All India Kisan Sabha continues to resonate in contemporary discussions on agricultural reforms, showcasing its vital role in shaping India's rural landscape and advocating for the rights of farmers.