Harking back to the big farmers’ stir 70 years ago

Leaders fear recent changes to farm laws have undone some of the gains of Kagodu Satyagraha

Exactly 70 years ago, Kagodu village near Sagar in Shivamogga district caught the attention of the entire nation as tenant farmers rose in revolt against the landlords. That is considered the first peasant movement in post-Independence India seeking land for tenants. This led to historic laws that provided land for the landless and gave them protection on several counts. The recent amendments passed by the Karnataka government, however, have removed restrictions on non-agriculturists purchasing farmland and ushered in changes that are seen as reversing some of the gains of the Kagodu movement. This was among the major issues raised at the recently held Raitha Mahapanchayat held in Shivamogga. In March 1951, the tenant farmers of Kagodu revolted against the landlords following differences over the size of kolaga (a container used while sharing the produces grown.)