Characteristics of a social movement
- Social movements are long-term collective activities that usually demand changes in state policies. These movements have leadership, structure, and participation of people with a common purpose.
- Social movements are started for the purpose of public interest, such as the right to use forests or the right to rehabilitate displaced people. However, these are also opposed, such as movements in favor of sati despite Raja Ram Mohan Roy's opposition to sati pratha. Similarly, reforms like girl education and widow remarriage were also opposed.
- Movements adopt methods like meetings, propaganda plans, candle marches, wearing black clothes, street plays, etc. for protest. Mahatma Gandhi adopted effective means like non-violence and Satyagraha in the freedom movement.
- Social movements are difficult processes and face opposition, but over time they are successful in bringing about change in society.
Difference between social change and social movement
social change
- Social change is a continuous process that occurs through small changes in society over time. It is the result of widespread participation and activities.
- Examples of this are Sanskritisation and Westernisation, which bring about changes in the structure and behaviour of society.
Social Movement
- Social movements are carried out to achieve a specific objective. It is a long and continuous process in which people organize and work for a specific change.
- Social reform movements of the 19th century, such as opposition to Sati and efforts for education of girls, are examples of social movements.
Difference
- Social change is natural and slow, while social movement is based on organised and purposeful efforts.
Sociology and social movements
Importance of social movements in sociology
- Social movements are an effective means of understanding change and conflict in society. Sociology has been interested in these movements since its inception, such as the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution in Britain. These events became the cornerstone of social and political change.
The purpose of social movements
- The main objective of social movements is to bring about change in society. For example, in England, poor workers and artisans protested against their poor living conditions. During the Food Rights, the government tried to suppress these protests.
Sociological approach
- Emile Durkheim: He saw social movements as forces that create imbalance and disorder in society.
- Followers of Karl Marx: They saw movements as a result of exploitation and class struggle in society.
- E.P. Thomson: He explained that the 'mob' is not anarchic, but there is a 'moral economy' behind their protest. The poor people have a clear idea of right and wrong in their protest and raise their voice for their rights.
Types of social movements
Social movements can be classified into three main categories:
- Transformational Movement: This type of movement aims to bring about a change in individual consciousness and actions. For example, the people of the Ezhava community of Kerala changed their social practices under the leadership of Narayana Guru.
- Reformist Movement: This movement seeks to bring gradual changes in the existing social and political systems. In India, the reorganisation of states on the basis of language in the 1960s and the Right to Information (RTI) movement are examples of this.
- Revolutionary Movements: These movements seek to bring about a radical change in social relations, often in the form of a change in the process of power. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Naxalite movement in India are examples of this. These movements seek to change the state power.
- Social movements are often a mix of revolutionary, reformist and institutional elements. A movement may be revolutionary at the beginning, but over time become reformist and then institutional.
- The way movements are understood and classified depends on time and perspective. For example, the 'Mutiny' of 1857 was a rebellion for the British rulers, while for Indian nationalists it was the 'First War of Independence'. This makes it clear that the same movement can be seen from different perspectives.
Differences between new social movements and old social movements
There have been many changes in social movements over time, which makes the difference between old and new movements clear.
- Old movements: Old movements were primarily aimed at changing relations of power and authority. These included trade unions and workers' movements, which demanded wages, quality of life, and social security. Political parties played a central role in these, such as the contribution of the Congress in the Indian freedom struggle.
- New movements: Today's movements focus on quality of life issues, such as the environment, women's rights, and tribal problems. They emphasize improving living standards in society rather than redistributing power. New movements also focus on identity politics, cultural issues, and social inequality.
- Globalization and new issues: Globalization has affected people's lives through industry, agriculture, and communication, giving rise to new movements and issues that have spread internationally. For example, movements of women and regional groups unite different classes.
Difference
- Older movements were against power and economic inequality, while newer movements focus on quality of life, cultural and identity issues.
Ecology movement
Modern development has led to exploitation of natural resources and environmental damage. Traditional development is believed to be beneficial to all classes, but it harms the poor, such as displacement due to construction of dams and pollution from industries.
- Chipko Movement: The Chipko movement demonstrated the solidarity of villagers, especially women, to save the forest. It was not just a struggle for the environment, but also for survival and social inequality.
- Government Initiatives: For environmental protection the Indian government started initiatives like “Namami Gange” and “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”.
Class-based movements
History of farmers movement
- During 1858-1914, peasant movements were focused on local issues, such as indigo cultivation (1859-62) and the Deccan revolt against moneylenders (1857). Later, these movements became linked to the freedom struggle, such as the Champaran Satyagraha (1917-18) and the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928).
- Kisan organisations grew between 1920-1940. The Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha was founded in 1929 and the All India Kisan Sabha in 1936. Major movements included the Tibhaga Movement (1946-47) and the Telangana Movement (1946-51).
- In the 1970s, new movements in Punjab and Tamil Nadu were regional and non-party. They raised issues related to agricultural investment, prices, taxes and credit and adopted new methods of protest such as blocking roads and railways.
- Modern peasant movements have taken the form of "new social movements" that focus on women's issues, peasant economic conditions, and rights. They aim to protect the broader interests of peasants.
workers' movement
- Beginning of industrialization: Industrialization in India began under British rule in the 1860s, when factories were established in port cities such as Calcutta and Bombay. Wages were cheap and working conditions were poor because there were no regulations.
- Early strikes and organisations: Strikes began in the textile mills of Bombay in 1917. In 1918 B. P. Wadia founded the first labour union and Mahatma Gandhi founded the Textile Labour Association (TLA). In 1920 the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed.
- Movements before and after Independence: By the end of the British Raj the AITUC came under the control of communist leaders. In 1947 the Indian National Congress formed the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).
- Modern times: The economic recession of the 1960s and the 1974 railway strike increased conflict between the government and trade unions. These movements played a role in workers' rights as well as social changes.
Caste-based movements
dalit movement
The Dalit movement is not just a struggle against economic exploitation and political pressure, but a struggle for human identity, self-respect, and to end untouchability. It is called the "struggle for touch".
- Meaning of the word Dalit: "Dalit" means oppressed and exploited people. This word was popularized in the 1970s by the followers of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in the context of the neo-Buddhist movement. It symbolizes opposition to inequality and casteism.
- Diversity of Dalit Movements: There have been many different Dalit movements in India, such as the Satnami movement of Chhattisgarh, the Adi Dharm movement of Punjab, the Mahar movement of Maharashtra, and the anti-Brahmin movement of South India. All were aimed at Dalit identity, self-respect, and the abolition of untouchability.
- Rise of Dalit Literature: Dalit literature highlights Dalit experiences and the inequalities in society. It appeals for respect and social change. Today the Dalit movement has become a major social and cultural movement.
Movement of backward classes and castes
- Origin: The colonial period emphasised caste-based identity, which led the backward classes to organise for their rights. This struggle became more an issue of political identity than religious.
- Identification of 'backward classes': The term 'backward classes' came into vogue in the late 19th century. Organisations such as the Hindu Backward Classes League and the All-India Backward Classes Federation were formed in the 1920s.
- Role of organisations: By 1954, 88 organisations were working for the backward classes. These movements opposed casteism and demanded social and political rights, paving the way for social justice.
Tribal Movement
Tribal movements in India have regional variations though the issues are similar. Most of the movements took place in the 'tribal belt' of central India, such as Chotanagpur, Santhal Pargana, and Munda areas. Jharkhand, which was carved out of South Bihar in 2000, is a result of these tribal struggles.
- Leadership of Birsa Munda: Birsa Munda had an important contribution in the Jharkhand movement. He revolted against the British and played a role in keeping the identity of the tribals alive. His martyrdom is still remembered through songs and writings.
- Education and awareness: The efforts of Christian missionaries led to the spread of education among the tribals in South Bihar. This enabled literate tribals to write on their culture and history. As a result, an intellectual tribal class emerged, which organized and broadened the demand for Jharkhand state.
- Problems of the Tribals: The tribals in South Bihar were facing many problems. Local traders and moneylenders were usurping their property, and the benefits from mineral resources were going to outsiders. Apart from this, the land of the tribals was also being taken away from them.
Main issues and movements
The tribals of Jharkhand protested on some important issues, which included:
- Acquisition of Land: Acquisition of land for irrigation projects and firing areas.
- Rehabilitation and Surveys: Protests against stalled surveys and rehabilitation works.
- Economic problems: conflicts over loans, rents and collection of cooperative debts.
- Nationalisation of Forest Products: Boycott against nationalisation of forest products.
- As a result of these problems and conflicts, the demand for creation of a separate state of Jharkhand grew and finally the state came into existence in 2000.
Northeast
- After independence, when the Indian government created new states, unrest spread in the hilly areas of the northeast. The tribes of these areas were concerned about their traditional independence and separate identity, and were skeptical of being incorporated into the administration of Assam.
- The tribes of the Northeast remained isolated from Indian society for a long time, which enabled them to preserve their cultural and traditional identity. But over time, they felt the need for autonomy under the Indian Constitution, and this has now become a big issue.
Key points
Some of the important issues at the centre of the tribal movements in the Northeast are:
- Displacement from forest lands: Displacement of tribal communities from their traditional forest lands is a major cause of conflict.
- Cultural Disparity: These communities also face a crisis of cultural identity, affecting their traditional life and society.
- Development and economic issues: The pace of development and economic inequalities are also part of tribal movements.
- These issues have led tribal communities to struggle to protect their identity and autonomy, and have shaped social movements in Northeast India.
Women's movement
19th-century social-reform movements and women's organizations
Social reform movements in the 19th century raised issues such as women's rights, education, marriage, and widow remarriage. The early 20th century saw the rise of women's organizations, such as:
- Women's India Association(WIA)
- All-India Women's Conference (AIWC)
- National Council for Women in India (NCWI)
The AIWC initially kept a distance from politics, but later realised that women's welfare was not possible without independence.
1. Agrarian struggle and women's participation
Women participated alongside men in colonial-era tribal and rural conflicts, such as:
- Tribhaga Movement of Bengal
- Varli tribal movement of Maharashtra
2.Women's movement after independence
- The women's movement slowed down after 1947. Some women participated in nation-building, while the trauma of Partition weakened the movement.
3. 1970s resurgence
- The "second phase" of the women's movement began in the 1970s. It included issues such as violence against women, legal rights, land ownership, employment, sexual harassment, and the struggle against dowry.
4. Steps towards gender equality
- The women's movement advocated gender equality. Government schemes like "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" are also helping to promote equality.
