What Should Peasants Do? - Ramchandra Pradhan

What Should Peasants Do? constitutes the second volume of five-volume series titled the 'Selected Works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati'. The essays here act as a clarion call for the peasant struggle against landlordism and British imperialism. These writings reflect the deep understanding of the strengths of the peasants as annadata (food provider) and their central role in the economy and society of the nation. Simultaneously, he points out the weakness of peasants in organizing themselves to fight for their basic needs and families against the zamindars and moneylenders or being dependent on the middle class leadership for their resistance against the colonial order. Written during his time in jail, Sahajanand implores the peasants to embrace the Kisan Sabha on a mass scale, build up a viable Kisan Kosh, and raise and support a dedicated band of Kisan Sevaks.

Sahajanand emphasized non-violent mass action on the part of peasants and warned them not to get involved in any adventurist, violent acts. His instructions and warnings collected here given to the peasants is not from the pedestal of a preacher but from the Kurukshetra of struggle.