The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (1929)

The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha, founded in 1929, was the first peasant organization in India. It played a crucial role in the agrarian movement and the struggle for the rights of peasants in Bihar. The organization was founded by Sahajanand Saraswati, a social and religious reformer, and it emerged as a powerful force in the Indian National Movement.

Role of Sahajanand Saraswati

Sahajanand Saraswati was born in 1889 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. He was deeply influenced by the social and economic condition of the peasants and the exploitation they faced under the British colonial rule. As a result, he dedicated his life to the upliftment of the peasants and the eradication of social evils.

Objectives of the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha

The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha aimed to address the grievances of the peasants and fight for their rights. Some of the key objectives of the organization were:

1. To work towards the abolition of the zamindari system and the redistribution of land.
2. To fight against the oppressive and exploitative practices of the moneylenders and the landlords.
3. To advocate for fair wages, better working conditions, and social security for the agricultural laborers.
4. To raise awareness among the peasants about their rights and encourage them to participate in the national movement.

Activities and Achievements

The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha organized various activities to mobilize the peasants and empower them. Some of its notable achievements include:

1. Organizing meetings, rallies, and conferences to raise awareness about the rights and issues of the peasants.
2. Conducting campaigns against the oppressive practices of the landlords and moneylenders.
3. Mobilizing support for the national movement and encouraging the peasants to actively participate in the struggle for independence.
4. Forming alliances with other social and political organizations to strengthen the peasant movement.
5. Providing legal aid to peasants and helping them fight court cases against unfair treatment and exploitation.
6. Publishing literature and newsletters to disseminate information and educate the peasants about their rights.

Impact and Legacy

The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha played a significant role in mobilizing the peasants and empowering them to fight for their rights. It paved the way for the formation of other peasant organizations across India, which played a crucial role in the agrarian movement and the struggle for independence. The organization's efforts led to significant changes in the lives of the peasants, including the abolition of the zamindari system and the implementation of land reforms.

Overall, the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha, founded by Sahajanand Saraswati, was a pioneering peasant organization that fought for the rights and upliftment of the peasants in Bihar. It set the stage for the peasant movement in India and contributed to the larger struggle for independence.

Sahajanand Saraswati formed the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS)in 1929 to mobilise peasant grievances against the zamindari attacks on their occupancy rights, and thus sparking the Farmers’ movement in India. After the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (1929) came in 1936 the All India Kisan Sabha. The peasants organised by the Sabhas demanded freedom from economic exploitation for peasants, workers and all other exploited classes.