The Bharatiya Kisan Union is a leading organisation highlighting the plight of farmers. What were the issues addressed by it in the nineties and to what extent were they successful?
Being a predominantly agrarian economy where agriculture sector constitutes the backbone of the country, political mobilisation of the framers took place in late 1970s and early 1980s. Charan Singh, rightly referred as the saviour of the farmers took immense measures to foster the growth of this sector of the Indian economy. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) was established in 1986 as a non-political organisation to protect the interest of the farmers. Mainly active in Punjab and Western UP, it became the most important organisation ventilating concerns of the farmers.
Following were the main issues addressed by the BKU:
a. In 1987, BKU organised agitation against the increase in electricity price that affected the farmers.
b. It was a great show of the rural power, of the farmers.
c. Farmers organised dharnas, held processions and withheld their electricity bills.
d. BKU also demanded ending zonal restrictions on the mobility of food grains.
e. Reduction of electricity rates
f. Higher government floor prices for sugarcane and wheat
g. Waiving of repayments due on loans to farmers and the provision of a government pension for farmers.
Impact of BKU:
i. BKU, over the years, has launched massive rallies, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins and jail bharo (courting imprisonment) agitations.
ii. It has brought about large-scale political participation and mobilisation of farmers.
iii. There has been participation of farmers from single-caste community. BKU used traditional caste panchayats of these communities in bringing them together over economic issues, creating greater awareness.
iv. BKU has pressed the Indian Government for the protection of farmers at the WTO Forum.
v. It has familiarised farmers with the use of latest technology, methods, equipments, etc.
vi. Most demands of the BKU have been met by the government with some concessions.
vii. It has been pressing the government to forgive the loans of farmers up to 1 Lakh, and abrogate land acquisition Act of 1984.
Following were the main issues addressed by the BKU:
a. In 1987, BKU organised agitation against the increase in electricity price that affected the farmers.
b. It was a great show of the rural power, of the farmers.
c. Farmers organised dharnas, held processions and withheld their electricity bills.
d. BKU also demanded ending zonal restrictions on the mobility of food grains.
e. Reduction of electricity rates
f. Higher government floor prices for sugarcane and wheat
g. Waiving of repayments due on loans to farmers and the provision of a government pension for farmers.
Impact of BKU:i. BKU, over the years, has launched massive rallies, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins and jail bharo (courting imprisonment) agitations.
ii. It has brought about large-scale political participation and mobilisation of farmers.
iii. There has been participation of farmers from single-caste community. BKU used traditional caste panchayats of these communities in bringing them together over economic issues, creating greater awareness.
iv. BKU has pressed the Indian Government for the protection of farmers at the WTO Forum.
v. It has familiarised farmers with the use of latest technology, methods, equipments, etc.
vi. Most demands of the BKU have been met by the government with some concessions.
vii. It has been pressing the government to forgive the loans of farmers up to 1 Lakh, and abrogate land acquisition Act of 1984.
