Question

Identify the characteristics of the New Farmer’s movement that began in the 1970s in Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
(A) Movements were regionally organised.
(B) Movements were organised by communist leaders.
(C) Movements involved farmers rather than peasants.
(D) Basic ideology of the movement was strongly anti-state and anti-urban.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only
• C. (A), (C) and (D) only
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The New Farmer's movement of the 1970s in Punjab and Tamil Nadu was a significant social and political development. To understand the key characteristics of this movement, we analyze the given options:

• Option A: Movements were regionally organised. This is a correct statement. The New Farmer's movement was primarily organized at the regional level, focusing on local issues pertinent to farmers in different regions such as Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
• Option B: Movements were organised by communist leaders. This is also true as communist leaders played an active role in organizing and leading these movements, advocating for the rights and demands of the farmers.
• Option C: Movements involved farmers rather than peasants. This is not entirely accurate. Though the movement primarily included farmers, identifying the participants strictly as farmers rather than peasants oversimplifies the complex socio-economic dynamics involved.
• Option D: Basic ideology of the movement was strongly anti-state and anti-urban. This statement is correct. The movement had a strong anti-state and anti-urban sentiment as it opposed government policies perceived as detrimental to rural agricultural interests and objected to urban-centric development models.

Based on this analysis, the correct characteristics of the New Farmer's movement are (A), (B), and (D).

Therefore, the correct answer is: (A), (B) and (D) only

Answer 2

The New Farmer's movement in the 1970s in Punjab and Tamil Nadu was primarily characterized by:

• (A) Movements were regionally organised: These movements were concentrated in specific regions, with a focus on local agricultural issues, such as pricing, subsidies, and land reforms in Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
• (B) Movements were organised by communist leaders: In both states, the movements were often led or supported by communist or left-wing leaders who represented the interests of farmers in their struggle for better conditions and fairer treatment.
• (D) Basic ideology of the movement was strongly anti-state and anti-urban: The farmers in these movements were often protesting against the perceived neglect by the state and the growing influence of urban, industrial interests on rural economies. Their demands were for more support for agriculture and rural welfare.

However:

• (C) Movements involved farmers rather than peasants: This statement is somewhat misleading. In both regions, the movements were more focused on the farmers (who were often landowners or large cultivators) rather than the peasants (who were landless laborers). The characterization of peasants may not be entirely accurate for these specific movements.

Thus, the correct answer is (A): (A), (B) and (D) only.