Discuss the growth of the Krushak Sabha and the peasant movement in Odisha under the leadership of Nabakrushna Choudhury and Malati Devi.

The 1930s marked a radical phase in the Odia nationalist movement, characterized by the emergence of the peasantry as a powerful political force. Influenced by socialist ideologies, the movement moved beyond mere linguistic identity to address agrarian exploitation. Under the dynamic leadership of Nabakrushna Choudhury and Malati Devi, the Utkal Provincial Krushak Sabha became the primary voice against the oppressive Zamindari system and colonial revenue policies.

1. Formation of the Utkal Provincial Krushak Sabha (1935)

The institutionalized peasant movement began with the formation of the Krushak Sabha at Cuttack:

  • Socialist Roots: Nabakrushna Choudhury, inspired by Marxism, co-founded the Congress Socialist Party in Odisha. This provided the ideological backbone to the Krushak Sabha.
  • The Sarathi Journal: To spread awareness, Nabakrushna Choudhury edited the journal Sarathi, which highlighted the miseries of the peasants and exposed the illegal exactions of the Zamindars.

2. Role of Malati Devi (The "Toofani" of Odisha)

Malati Devi played a pioneering role in grassroots mobilization, especially among women and tribal peasants:

  • Mass Outreach: She traveled to the remotest villages, organizing Krushak Sanghas. Her fiery oratory earned her the title "Toofani" (The Stormy One).
  • Baji Rout and Prajamandal: She was instrumental in linking the peasant struggle with the Prajamandal movement in the Princely States (Garhjats), protesting against the "Bethis" (forced labor) and arbitrary taxes.
  • Social Justice: She integrated the struggle for civil liberties and the upliftment of the depressed classes into the agrarian movement.

3. Major Demands and Achievements

  • Abolition of Zamindari: The Krushak Sabha was the first to openly demand the liquidation of the Zamindari system and the Permanent Settlement in Odisha.
  • Reduction of Rent: During the Great Depression, they led successful "No-Rent" campaigns, forcing the 1937 Congress Ministry to pass the Orissa Tenancy (Amendment) Act, which provided some relief to the raiyats.
  • Attack on Illegal Cesses: They campaigned against Sunia Bheti and other illegal gifts forced out of peasants by feudal lords.

4. Integration with All India Kisan Sabha

The movement in Odisha was not isolated. By 1936, the Utkal Provincial Krushak Sabha became a vital unit of the All India Kisan Sabha. This integration helped in bringing Odia agrarian issues to the national forefront, influencing the Congress's national Agrarian Programme at the Faizpur session.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Krushak Sabha under Nabakrushna Choudhury and Malati Devi transformed the character of the freedom struggle in Odisha. They successfully converted economic grievances into political consciousness. Their legacy ensured that the post-independence era in Odisha began with a strong commitment to land reforms, eventually leading to the abolition of the intermediary system in 1951.