Peasant and Class Struggles:

The Case of Sindh Hari Committee and the Communist Party of Pakistan

Abstract

The 20th century witnessed a series of socialist and communist revolutions that sparked hope among the masses worldwide. The Russian Revolution, famously known as the October Revolution under the leadership of Lenin in 1917, was the first socialist revolution in the world. This event ignited leftist movements across the globe. India was under British control during the revolutionary movements in Russia that led to the October Revolution. However, the post-October revolution inspired some political parties in India to launch movements aimed at bringing about a socialist revolution. Prior to the partition of India, the Sindh Hari Committee (Sindh Peasants Committee) was established in 1930 to rally peasants and fight for their rights from the feudal system. They advocated for the fair distribution of land among landless peasants in Sindh, while following communist principles. Following the partition, the Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP) was formed in 1948. This research primarily delves into the historical events surrounding the efforts of the SHC and CPP in organizing peasants and labourers, respectively. Additionally, the paper addresses the response of the state apparatus to counter communism and, in turn, the reaction of leftist forces to state suppression.