Question

Which of the following statements are correct in respect of New Farmer's Movement:-
(A) It began in Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
(B) It was party oriented.
(C) Ideology was anti-state and anti-urban.
(D) The focus of demand was price and its related issues.
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

Hint:

When analyzing social movements, pay attention to their origin, leadership, ideology, key demands, and relationship with mainstream politics. This helps differentiate between various movements, like the 'old' peasant movements (focused on land reform and abolition of feudalism) and the 'new' farmers' movements (focused on prices and terms of trade).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The "New Farmer's Movements" refers to a wave of farmers' agitations that emerged in India in the late 1970s and 1980s. These movements were distinct from earlier peasant struggles and were primarily led by market-oriented, middle and rich farmers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate each statement:
(A) It began in Punjab and Tamil Nadu: This is correct. The movement gained significant momentum with organizations like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in Punjab and Western UP, and the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Shetkari Sanghatana in Maharashtra. These were some of the pioneering regions for this new wave of agitations.
(B) It was party oriented: This is incorrect. A defining feature of the New Farmer's Movements was their proclaimed autonomy from political parties. They were consciously non-partisan and often kept politicians away from their platforms, believing that political parties did not adequately represent their interests.
(C) Ideology was anti-state and anti-urban: This is correct. These movements often articulated an ideology that pitted the interests of the agrarian, rural sector ("Bharat") against the industrial, urban sector ("India"). They argued that state policies were biased in favor of the urban-industrial complex at the expense of agriculture.
(D) The focus of demand was price and its related issues: This is correct. The central demands of these movements were economic. They focused on "terms of trade" issues, demanding remunerative prices for agricultural produce, subsidies for inputs (like fertilizer, electricity), waiver of loans, and pensions for farmers.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Statements (A), (C), and (D) are correct characteristics of the New Farmer's Movements, while statement (B) is incorrect. Therefore, the correct option is (3).