Communist movements in India

{{Main article|Communist involvement in the Indian independence movement}}

{{Further|All India Kisan Sabha}}

Communists were actively involved in various movements from the 1920s. The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was founded in 1936, which predominantly became active in India. By 1942, AIKS and communists dominated the peasant movement in the country. The members of AIKS or Kisan Sabha were mostly communists. This created a political and social base for communists among the peasant section of India. Sahajanand Saraswati, Karyanand Sharma, Bhogendra Jha were most notable leaders of the movements.{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44142005 | jstor=44142005 | title=Peasant Movements and Emergence of Left Politics in Bihar (1920—1945) | last1=Pandey | first1=S. N. | journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | year=1979 | volume=40 | pages=642–652 }} Afterwards Bakasht movement (1946-1952), Madhubani movement, Darbhanga movement {{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44145534 | jstor=44145534 | title=Peasant Movement and Communist Mobilization in Bihar: A Case Study of Darbhanga (1950-70) | last1=Chaudhry | first1=Vandhana | last2=Chaudhry | first2=Vandana | journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | year=2003 | volume=64 | pages=1074–1082 }}

{{Main article|Telangana Rebellion}}

File:Armed_peasants_-_Telangana_armed_struggle.jpg (1946–1951) was a peasant rebellion by communists against the feudal lords of the Telangana region in the princely state of Hyderabad. ]]During the 1920s and the early 1930s the Communist Party existed but was badly organised, and in practice there were several communist groups working with limited national coordination. The British colonial authorities had banned all communist activity, which made the task of building a united party very difficult. A Communist Group was founded in Tashkent on 17 October 1920, soon after the Second Congress of the Communist International by M.N. Roy. Roy made contacts with Anushilan and Jugantar groups in Bengal. Small communist groups were formed in Bombay (led by S.A. Dange), Madras (led by Singaravelu Chettiar), United Provinces (led by Shaukat Usmani), Punjab, Sindh (led by Ghulam Hussain) and Bengal (led by Muzaffar Ahmed).M.V.S. Koteswara Rao. Communist Parties and United Front – Experience in Kerala and West Bengal. Hyderabad: Prajasakti Book House, 2003. p. 89

{{Main article|Tebhaga movement}}

During 1946, sharecroppers had contracted to give half of their harvest to the landlords. Soon sharecroppers began to assert that they would pay only one-third and that before division the crop would stay in their godowns and not that of the Jotedars. In September 1946 Bangiya Pradeshik Kisan Sabha decided to launch the Tebhaga movement. The peasant movement led by Communist Party of India broke out in Kakdwip, Sonarpur, Bhangar and Canning. In many areas the agitations turned violent, and landlords fled, leaving parts of the countryside in the hands of Kisan Sabha. The movement resulted in clashes between Jotedars and Bargadars (sharecroppers). "Tebhaga" meantime one third portion of the whole.{{cite book|last1=Asok Majumdar|title=The Tebhaga Movement : Politics of Peasant Protest in Bengal 1946-1950|date=2011|publisher=Aakar Books|isbn=978-9350021590|page=13}} The prominent leaders of the movement were: Kansari Halder, Ganesh Das, Ashok Bose and Rash Behari Ghosh. Peasant leaders like Gajen Malik, Manik Hazra, Jatin Maity, Bijoy Mondal and others rose to prominence. The movement continued till 1950, when the Bargadari Act was enacted. {{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | title = District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas | work = Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9| publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 | access-date = 3 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | archive-date = 5 October 2016 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | title = District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas | work = (1) Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9 (2) Chapter 3.4, Land reforms, pages 32-33 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 | access-date = 3 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | archive-date = 5 October 2016 | url-status = dead }}

Communists or more precisely Communist Party of India (Marxist) has done multiple subsequent peasant and farmer's movements in Rajasthan. In 2000, the Kisan Sabha led by communists laid siege to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and demanded an increase in the number of hours they were supplied with power each day. In 2004, the CPI(M) again started a movement in Shri Gangangar district bordering the Shekhawati region, against the reduction in their water allowance from the Indira Gandhi Canal. This resulted death of four farmers as Rajasthan Police opened fire on the agitating farmers. The government had to agree to increase the water allowance. In 2005, CPI(M) again agitated against to a hike in electricity tariffs, by conducting sit-in in state capital, Jaipur which subsequently resulted decreasing the tariffs.{{cite web | url=https://scroll.in/article/851229/sikar-farmer-agitation-how-the-cpi-m-created-a-red-island-in-rajasthan | title=Sikar farmer agitation: How the CPI(M) created a 'red island' in Rajasthan }}

File:Sikar-Kisan-Andolan (Sikar Farmer Movement).jpg

A large farmer's movement started in Rajasthan on 1 September 2017 to promote farmer's loan waivers, minimum support price and other demands under the leadership of Akhil Bhartiya Kishan Sabha (AIKS).{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170925/jsp/nation/story_174909.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014210/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170925/jsp/nation/story_174909.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2017|title=Cattle and cash curbs stoke farm revolt - Joined by DJs, farmers force Rajasthan to waive loans and commit on minimum support price|date=24 September 2017|work=The Telegraph (India)|access-date=25 September 2017}} Kisan Sabha, President, Amra Ram, Former MLA Pema Ram, Hetram Benwal, Pawan Duggal, Mangal Singh Yadav, Bhagirath Netar, Sagar Mal Khachariya and others were leading the movement.{{Cite news|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/nation/is-rajasthans-sikar-become-the-new-mandsaur-1104867.html|title=किसान आंदोलन: कहीं सीकर तो नहीं बन रहा दूसरा मंदसौर!|date=10 September 2017|work=News 18|access-date=25 September 2017}} Sikar was the center of movement, so it is known as "Sikar Kisan Andolan".{{Cite news|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/video/show/prime-time/prime-time-with-ravish-kumar-on-farmer-issue-467536|title=प्राइम टाइम: राजस्थान के सीकर से किसान आंदोलन|date=12 September 2017|work=NDTV India|access-date=25 September 2017}} Thousands of farmers gathered in Sikar Mandhi on 1 September, and said their Padav would continue until demands were accepted. Kishan Padav (Hindi: किसान पड़ाव) continued in Sikar and Other Districts including Bikaner, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Hanumangarh, Shri Ganganagar, Alwar till 10 September.{{Cite news|url=https://www.patrika.com/sikar-news/today-jam-in-rajasthan-after-sikar-1-1802331/|title=किसान आंदोलन : सीकर के बाद अब आज पूरे राजस्थान में देखने को मिल सकते हैं ऐसे नजारे, मीणा व बेनीवाल भी आए साथ|date=12 September 2017|work=Rajasthan Patrika|access-date=25 September 2017}} During this, government imposed Section 144 and also blocked Internet services in Sikar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/rajasthan-sikar-farmers-protests-sector-144-imposed-internet-services-snapped-hi/301639|title=Rajasthan Sikar Farmers' Protests: Section 144 Imposed, Internet Services Snapped, Highways Blocked|date=13 September 2017|work=Öutlook|access-date=25 September 2017}} When the demands were not accepted, on 10 September, AIKS called a Statewide Indefinite Highway Strike. After beginning from Sikar, this movement spread throughout Rajasthan, it had a widespread impact in 14 districts. Meanwhile, Sikar and other cities were also kept under strike. Traders and many organizations supported the Farmer's Movement.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/farmers-call-for-bandh-in-sikar-today/articleshow/60400065.cms|title=Farmers observe Bandh in Sikar district|date=8 September 2017|work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/sikar-farmers-get-traders-support/article19622814.ece|title=Sikar farmers get traders' support|date=5 September 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 September 2017}} On 11th day, on the call of the Kisan Sabha, the farmers blocked highways and all other major and minor roads.{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajasthan-farmers-agitation-sikar-andolan-jhujhunu-farmers-churu/1/1047156.html|title=Rajasthan: Sikar farmers' agitation paralyses traffic on National Highway-52, at least six districts affected|date=13 September 2017|work=India Today|access-date=25 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.patrika.com/sikar-news/video-2-states-and-6-districts-affected-from-sikar-jam-1-1800139/|title=सीकर किसान आंदोलन : किसानों ने सडक़ों पर डाला महापड़ाव, 2 राज्य व 6 जिले प्रभावित|date=11 September 2017|work=Rajasthan Patrika|access-date=25 September 2017}} Then the government invited the delegation of farmers for the talks on 11 September. After 2 days long talk government buckled on 13 September night and accepted the demand of farmers.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/government-farmers-call-truce-panel-to-work-out-waiver/articleshow/60508576.cms|title=Government, farmers call truce, panel to work out waiver|date=14 September 2017|work=The Times of India|access-date=14 September 2017}} The movement was withdrawn after the demands were accepted.{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/rajasthan/sikar-farmers-call-off-13-day-agitation-after-rajasthan-govt-announces-debt-waiver-2042204.html|title=Sikar farmers call off 13-day agitation after Rajasthan govt announces debt waiver|date=14 September 2017|work=Zee News|access-date=25 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/shekhawati-farmers-withdraw-agitation-on-loan-waiver-issue/article19681448.ece|title=Shekhawati farmers withdraw agitation on loan waiver issue|date=14 September 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/RAJ-SIK-OMC-compromise-with-government-and-farmers-5694491-PHO.html|title=किसान आंदोलन: दिनभर सरकार के साथ बातचीत, चक्का जाम, आधी रात समझौता|date=14 September 2017|work=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi|access-date=25 September 2017}}

At the jail, Irabot Singh met Indian communist leaders like Hemanga Biswas and Jyotirmoy Nandi. He was greatly influenced by them.[http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Article_Hijam_Irabot.How_Irawat_became_a_communist_1 How Irawat became a communist 1]. E-pao.net (30 September 2010). Retrieved on 2018-11-28.

Irabot was finally permitted to enter Manipur in March 1946. In Manipur he organised a new party called the Manipur Praja Mandal in April 1946. He attended two sessions of the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha before he was expelled from the membership of the Working Committee of the Mahasabha on the charge of being a member of the Communist Party of India. He attended the second congress of the CPI held at Calcutta from 28 Feb to 6 March 1948.[http://www.e-pao.net/manipur/images/History/Souvenir_Hijam_Irabot_20100930.pdf Irabot Day Observation Delhi Special Edition]. e-pao.net (30 September 2010)[http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Article_Hijam_Irabot.Profile_Hijam_Irabot_Souvenir Profile Hijam Irabot Souvenir]. E-pao.net. Retrieved on 28 November 2018.

Irabot could not attend the first meeting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly held on 18 October 1948 because of the warrant against him. Irabot formed an underground Communist Party of Manipur on 29 October 1948 and carried out armed struggle against the government. He died on 26 September 1951 at the foothills of the Anggo Hills.[http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Article_Hijam_Irabot.How_Irawat_became_a_communist_2 How Irawat became a communist 2]. E-pao.net. Retrieved on 28 November 2018.

During Satyagraha Movement in Goa, Communist Party of India decided to send batches of satyahrahis since the middle of 1955 to the borders of Goa and even inside. Countrywide lists of satyagrahis were prepared, who were then sent to Goa borders in a series of memorable satyagrahas, which has few parallels in the annuls of the history. Batches after batches defied the Portuguese police and military, entered the borders of Goa, raised Indian Tricolour, and were fired upon and lathi-charged brutally. Many were killed, many more others arrested and sent to jails inside Goa and inhumanly treated. Many others were even sent to jails in Portugal and were brutally tortured.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-18|title=Revisiting Goa's Liberation Story on its 59th Independence Day|url=https://www.newsclick.in/Revisiting-Goa-Liberation-Story-59th-Independence-Day|access-date=2021-07-24|website=NewsClick|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=50 Years of Goa Liberation|url=http://www.newageweekly.in/2011/12/50-years-of-goa-liberation.html|access-date=2021-07-24|language=en}}

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Category:Communism in India