Farmers situation has worsened over years

BANGALORE: A two-day national-level seminar on ‘Peasants in Indian History’ was inaugurated by MLC Puttanna, former deputy chairman of Legislative Council, on Tuesday. Speaking at the inauguration, he said, “As agriculture was the primary occupation in our country, peasants were considered as the backbone of India. But in recent times, we cannot imagine what problems farmers are undergoing. The situation has worsened over the years. Such events are good platforms to discuss the problems faced by peasants.” The seminar will focus on peasant communities, the impact of colonial system on peasantry, pauperisation of peasantry and commercialisation of agriculture and agriculture labour. Dr T P Vijay Punacha, Professor of History, Hampi University said, “In Indian history, there are many peasant movements led by freedom fighters for the well being of farmers which were eventually carried out by different organisations. But post industrialisation in 1990s, several such movements have either been silenced or not given importance due to lack of political will.”