Introduction
Social and political movements are organized efforts by people to address specific issues like child marriage, dowry, or environmental problems. Unlike political parties, which focus on a wide range of issues, movements target one or a few problems to bring change. This chapter explains what movements are, their importance in democracy, and major movements in India, such as tribal, farmers’, labor, women’s, environmental, and consumer movements.
What is a Movement?
A movement is a collective action where people come together to solve a specific social or political issue.
Characteristics of Movements
1. Focused Issue:
- Movements target a single problem, like pollution or corruption.
- Example: A movement against child marriage focuses on stopping this practice.
2. People’s Participation:
- Active involvement of people is essential for a movement’s success.
3. Social Objective:
- Movements aim to achieve a specific goal, such as ending corruption or protecting forests.
4. Leadership:
- Strong leaders guide the movement, decide its goals, and plan actions.
- Leadership keeps the movement active and effective.
5. Organization:
- Movements need an organization to follow up on issues.
- Example: Farmers’ organizations support farmers’ movements.
6. Public Support:
- Movements require public backing to succeed.
- People must connect with the issue and support the movement’s actions.
7. Program of Action:
- Movements create plans, like protests or campaigns, to shape public opinion and pressure the government.
Why Are Movements Important in Democracy?
Raise Awareness: Movements highlight social issues like poverty or injustice, bringing them to public and government attention.
Pressure Government: They push the government to make policies addressing specific problems.
Provide Information: Movement leaders share valuable data with the government to help create better policies.
Right to Protest: Movements use the democratic right to protest responsibly to oppose unfair government decisions.
Indicator of Democracy: The existence of movements shows a healthy democratic system where people can voice concerns.
How Movements Differ from Political Parties
- Focus: Political parties address many issues (e.g., cleanliness, space research), while movements focus on one or a few problems.
- Goal: Parties aim to win elections and govern; movements aim to solve specific issues without seeking power.
- Approach: Parties take a broad, national perspective; movements are issue-specific and pressure parties or the government.
Ideology Behind Movements
- Many movements are tied to values like democracy, equality, or empowerment.
- Example: Movements against dowry or child marriage believe in women’s empowerment and social equality.
- Some movements may evolve into political parties over time.
Major Movements in India
1. Tribal Movement
Background:
- During British rule, tribals were denied their rights to forest resources, affecting their livelihood.
- Tribal uprisings occurred in regions like Chota Nagpur (Kolam), Orissa (Gond), Maharashtra (Koli, Bhilla, Ramoshi), and Bihar (Santhal, Munda).
- Leader: Birsa Munda led tribal struggles.
Main Demand:
- Right to collect forest products and cultivate forest land.
Current Status:
- Tribals still face issues like loss of forest rights.
- The movement continues to demand recognition of their rights.
2. Farmers’ Movement
Background:
- During British rule, farmers organized against anti-agriculture policies (e.g., high revenue collection).
- Key movements: Bardoli, Champaranya, and protests against revenue.
- Influenced by: Mahatma Phule, Justice Ranade, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Post-Independence:
- Agricultural reforms (e.g., tenancy laws) slowed the movement temporarily.
- The Green Revolution (1960s) increased food production but benefited rich farmers more than poor ones.
- Poor farmers’ dissatisfaction led to a stronger movement.
Demands:
- Fair prices for agricultural products.
- Treat agriculture as an industry.
- Implement Swaminathan Commission recommendations.
- Debt relief and cancellation.
- A national policy for agriculture.
Organizations:
- Shetkari Sanghatana, Bharatiya Kisan Union, All India Kisan Sabha.
3. Labor Movement
Background:
- Emerged with industrialization in the late 19th century (e.g., textile industry, railways).
- In 1899, railway workers went on strike.
- All India Trade Union Congress was formed in 1920 to address workers’ issues.
Post-Independence:
- The movement grew in the 1960s and 1970s with many agitations.
- From the 1980s, globalization weakened the movement, causing it to disintegrate.
Issues Faced by Workers:
- Unstable jobs, contract labor, financial insecurity.
- Lack of legal protection, long working hours, workplace hazards.
Current Status:
- The movement struggles due to changing economic conditions but remains important.
4. Women’s Movement
Pre-Independence:
- Started by progressive men like Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Raja Rammohan Roy, Mahatma Phule, Savitribai Phule, Maharshee Karve, Pandita Ramabai, and Ramabai Ranade.
- Focused on ending sati, child marriage, and promoting widow remarriage, women’s education, and voting rights.
Post-Independence:
- The Constitution granted equal rights, but women still faced discrimination.
- The movement shifted to ensuring women’s freedom and treatment as equals.
Later Developments:
- Women joined movements against corruption, caste, and religious extremism, raising awareness of their own injustices.
- The movement is diverse, addressing issues like health, social security, financial independence, and empowerment.
Challenges:
- Ensuring equal education and respect for women as human beings.
5. Environmental Movement
Background:
- Environmental degradation is a global and national issue.
- International movements work to protect the environment, with cooperation among countries.
In India:
- Movements focus on biodiversity, water sources, forests, green belts, river pollution, and harmful chemical use.
Example:
- Dr. Rajendra Singh (“Waterman of India”) led a movement in Rajasthan:
- Built thousands of Johads (water storage structures).
- Revived rivers in desert areas.
- Formed Tarun Bharat Sangh, active for 31 years.
- Won the Stockholm Water Prize (known as the Nobel Prize for water).
- Campaigns for water conservation, river revival, forest, and wildlife protection.
6. Consumer Movement
Background:
- Emerged after the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
- Views every person in society as a consumer.
Issues:
- Consumers face problems like adulteration, high prices, and frauds in weights and measures.
Objective:
- Protect consumers from fraud and ensure fair trade practices.
Impact:
- Increases public participation in addressing consumer rights.
Neo-Social Movements
Definition: Movements after the 1980s are called neo-social movements.
Characteristics:
- Issue-based: Focus on specific problems like pollution or corruption.
- Organize mass movements to create awareness and pressure the government.
Examples:
- Movements against female feticide, river pollution, or superstition (e.g., Andhashraddha Nirmulan Movement).
Historical Context of Movements in India
Pre-Independence:
- Many movements were suppressed by the British.
- The struggle for independence was a major social movement.
- Swadeshi Movement: An economic movement promoting Indian goods.
Post-Independence:
- Movements gained strength in a democratic system.
- Focused on issues like citizens’ rights, voting rights, minimum wages, and economic security.
Maharashtra:
- Known for social reform movements that modernized society.
- Leaders like Mahatma Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, Sant Gadge Maharaj, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar started movements for equality and justice.
Leave a Reply