PEASANT AGITATION IN TANJORE DISTRICT, 1958:
Owing to 10 per cent price hike, the peasants of Anaithandavapuram
in Mayawaram taluk revolted against mirasdars for higher wages during
harvest. The mirasdars conceded to the demands and provided 1¼ marakkals
of paddy per kalam35. However, some mirasdars of Tanjore district violated
the terms of Tanjore legislation and employed musclemen to deny the demands
of peasants. Pattamaniar Damodara Mudaliar, a mirasdar of Aliyur in
Nagapattinam taluk refused to give 1½ marakkal of paddy per kalam as
kalavadi. Moreover, using police force, the mirasdar carried away the paddy
and refused to give peasant‟s wage36
.
The peasants of Mavudukurichi village in Pattukkottai taluk in
Tanjore district were harassed by the village officials. The tax collectors
charged kist collection above the normal rate in the range of Rs.28/- to Rs.35/-
for one acre of land. The tax officials decided to collect kist arrear from each
peasants between Rs.30/- and Rs.200/-. In Peravaruni, the peasants who paid
kist on 21 July, 195737
, were harassed by the officials to clear the balance due.
In addition to this, bulls and other grains were also forcibly taken away from
them. The Sub Collector of Pattukkottai also warned the peasants to clear kist
dues. The peasant organisation strongly condemned the government and
demanded to withdraw forcible debt collection with immediate effect.
Elsewhere in the district, the leaders of Kisan Sangham protested against the
government and asked to fulfil the demands of peasants. On the other hand,
the police raided the offices of Kisan Sangham and arrested leaders including
Gnanam and Bharathi Mohan. Similarly in Vallam village 8 leaders of Kisan
Sangham and 155 peasants were arrested
