Sociology · Class 12 · Social Movements · Term 3

Class-Based Movements: Workers and Farmers

Analyse social movements based on class interests, focusing on the struggles of industrial workers for better rights and the mobilisation of farmers against agrarian distress.

TL;DR:Explore the powerful stories of collective action, from factory strikes to farmer rallies, to understand how class interests have shaped modern India's history.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• NCERT: Class XII Sociology - Social Change and Development in India

About This Topic

This topic delves into the dynamics of class-based social movements in India, a core theme in the NCERT Class 12 Sociology curriculum, particularly under 'Social Change and Development in India'. It moves beyond theoretical concepts of class to examine how these structures manifest as collective action. The overview should first contextualise the historical trajectory of these movements, starting from the colonial period's impact on agrarian and industrial structures, which laid the groundwork for future conflicts. For farmers' movements, it is crucial to differentiate between pre-independence peasant struggles against zamindars and British policies (like the Indigo revolt) and post-independence movements. The latter are further divided into movements by rich farmers demanding better prices and subsidies (e.g., Sharad Joshi's Shetkari Sanghatana) and those by poor, landless peasants demanding land reforms and fair wages (e.g., the Naxalbari uprising). The concept of 'agrarian distress', driven by debt, crop failure, and adverse market conditions, is a central explanatory framework.

For workers' movements, the focus is on the organised sector's trade unionism, which peaked in the mid-20th century, exemplified by events like the Bombay Textile Strike of 1982. This section should analyse their demands, which evolved from basic wage and working condition improvements to fighting against privatisation and anti-labour policies. A critical aspect to cover is the impact of globalisation and economic liberalisation since the 1990s. This led to a decline in the organised sector's power and a shift in focus to the struggles of the vast unorganised and informal workforce, including contemporary gig economy workers. The topic requires a comparative analysis, encouraging students to see the similarities in class exploitation and the differences in their organisational structures, strategies (strikes vs. road blockades), and political leverage.

Key Questions

1. Identify the key demands of farmers' movements in post-independence India.
2. Explain the changing nature of workers' movements in the era of globalisation.
3. Compare the strategies and organisational structures of workers' and farmers' movements.

Learning Objectives

• Analyse the primary causes of agrarian distress and its role in sparking farmers' movements in India.
• Compare the objectives, strategies, and organisational structures of workers' and farmers' movements.
• Evaluate the impact of globalisation and economic liberalisation on the nature and strength of class-based movements.
• Differentiate between the movements of different sections within the peasantry (e.g., rich farmers vs. landless labourers).
• Identify the key demands and historical significance of major movements like the Bombay Textile Strike and the Naxalbari uprising.

Key Vocabulary

Agrarian Distress	A state of widespread crisis in the agricultural sector, involving debt, low income, and unprofitability for farmers.
Trade Union	An organisation formed by workers in a particular industry to protect their rights and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
Class Conflict	The tension and struggle in society that arises from the competing economic interests of different social classes, as described by Karl Marx.
Globalisation	The process of increasing interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures across the world, which affects local industries and agriculture.
Unorganised Sector	Also known as the informal sector, it consists of enterprises and workers not registered with the government and typically lacking social security benefits like provident fund or health insurance.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All farmers' movements are for the poor and landless.

What to Teach Instead

Many prominent farmers' movements in post-independence India have been led by well-off, market-oriented farmers demanding better prices, subsidies, and loan waivers, which may not address the core issues of landless agricultural labourers.

Common Misconception

Workers' movements and trade unions are a thing of the past and no longer relevant.

What to Teach Instead

While traditional trade unionism in the organised sector has weakened, workers' struggles have adapted. New forms of mobilisation are seen among unorganised sector workers, gig economy employees (like delivery partners and cab drivers), and scheme workers (like ASHA workers), who fight for basic rights and social security.

Common Misconception

Class-based movements are only about economic demands.

What to Teach Instead

While economic issues like wages and prices are central, these movements also fight for dignity, social justice, better working conditions, and policy changes. They often have deep political and social dimensions, challenging the power structures of the state and corporations.

Active Learning Ideas

Jigsaw

Movement Case Study Jigsaw

Divide the class into 'expert' groups, each assigned a specific movement (e.g., Tebhaga Movement, 1982 Bombay Textile Strike, 2020-21 Farmers' Protest). They research its causes, demands, and methods. Then, new 'jigsaw' groups are formed with one expert from each original group to share and compare their findings.

60 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate

Globalisation's Impact

Organise a class debate on the motion: 'Globalisation has been more harmful than beneficial for India's workers and farmers'. This encourages students to articulate arguments, consider counter-arguments, and synthesise information about economic changes.

45 min·Whole Class

Formal Debate

Media Analysis: Portrayal of Protests

Students bring in news clippings or view short video reports about a recent worker or farmer protest. They analyse the language used, the stakeholders interviewed, and the overall framing of the movement's demands to understand media perspectives.

40 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Analysing the 2020-21 Indian farmers' protest against the three farm laws, examining their demands, mobilisation techniques (like the use of social media), and eventual outcome.
• Discussing recent strikes or protests by gig economy workers (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato, Ola/Uber drivers) for better pay and working conditions.
• Reading news reports about farmer suicides in regions like Vidarbha or Marathwada and linking them to the concept of agrarian distress.
• Examining the role of organisations like the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) or the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in contemporary politics.
• Debating the pros and cons of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a recurring demand in many farmers' movements.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Conduct a 'think-pair-share' where students discuss and list two key differences between the farmers' movements of the 1970s and the workers' movements of the same era.

Discussion Prompt

Assign an essay on the topic: 'How has globalisation reshaped the nature of class-based movements in India since 1991? Discuss with reference to both workers and farmers.'

Quick Check

Provide students with a checklist of key concepts (e.g., agrarian distress, trade union, class conflict). Students rate their confidence level for each concept on a scale of 1 to 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between a 'class-based' movement and a 'caste-based' movement?

A class-based movement unites people based on their economic position (e.g., workers, peasants, capitalists), focusing on issues like wages, land rights, and economic policies. A caste-based movement unites people based on their shared caste identity, focusing on issues of social discrimination, dignity, reservation, and ending atrocities.

Why did the power of trade unions decline in India after the 1980s?

The decline was caused by several factors, including the 1991 economic liberalisation policies, which led to privatisation, downsizing of the public sector, and the growth of the informal sector where unionising is difficult. The failure of major strikes, like the Bombay Textile Strike, also weakened the movement's morale and bargaining power.

What does 'agrarian distress' actually mean?

Agrarian distress refers to a deep-rooted crisis in the agricultural sector. It is characterised by low profitability, rising costs of cultivation, unmanageable debt among farmers, dependence on unpredictable monsoons, and a lack of alternative employment, sometimes leading to extreme steps like farmer suicides.

Are the recent protests by app-based delivery workers considered a workers' movement?

Yes, absolutely. They represent a new form of workers' movement in the 'gig economy'. Even though they are not traditional factory workers, they mobilise collectively to demand better pay, incentives, social security, and recognition as employees rather than 'partners', which are classic demands of a workers' movement.