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SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-007)

   Published Date: 4th April 2023
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-007)

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-007)

Hello Aspirants,

Social movements have played a crucial role in shaping Indian politics and society, particularly in the post-independence era. From the Indian freedom struggle to the anti-corruption movement and the recent farmers’ protests, social movements have been instrumental in pushing for change and reform.

The Indian freedom struggle, led by Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters, was a social movement that sought to end British colonial rule in India. Through nonviolent civil disobedience, protests, and other forms of resistance, the movement ultimately succeeded in gaining India’s independence in 1947.

In the post-independence era, social movements continued to play a vital role in shaping Indian politics. One such movement was the Dalit (formerly known as “untouchables”) movement, which sought to address the systemic discrimination and social exclusion faced by Dalits in Indian society. The movement led to the creation of affirmative action policies and reserved seats for Dalits in government institutions.

Other social movements in India have focused on issues such as women’s rights, environmental protection, and corruption. The anti-corruption movement, led by activist Anna Hazare, gained significant public support and led to the passing of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, which established an ombudsman to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.

Most recently, the farmers’ protests that began in late 2020 have been a significant social movement in India. Farmers have been protesting against the new agricultural laws introduced by the government, which they argue will benefit large corporations at the expense of small farmers. The protests have gained international attention and have led to a renewed focus on the role of social movements in Indian politics.

In conclusion, social movements have been and continue to be a critical force in shaping Indian politics and society. They have helped to bring about significant changes in areas such as political and economic reform, social justice, and human rights.

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SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-007)

The Gandhian approach to the study of social movements

The Gandhian approach to the study of social movements is rooted in the philosophy and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience as a means of bringing about social and political change.

According to Gandhi, social movements should be grounded in moral principles and should aim to bring about positive social transformation without resorting to violence. He believed that nonviolent resistance could be used to challenge unjust laws and oppressive systems, and that this approach was more effective and sustainable than violent methods.

Furthermore, Gandhi believed that social movements should be inclusive and involve the participation of all members of society, regardless of their social status, caste, or gender. He emphasized the importance of empowering marginalized communities and giving them a voice in the movement.

In addition to nonviolence and inclusivity, Gandhi also stressed the importance of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. He believed that social movements should not rely on external sources of support or funding but should instead be sustained by the communities they seek to serve.

Overall, the Gandhian approach to the study of social movements emphasizes the importance of nonviolent resistance, inclusivity, and self-reliance in bringing about social and political change. It continues to be influential in the study and practice of social movements in India and beyond.

The issues and concerns of environmental movements in India

Environmental movements in India have focused on a range of issues and concerns, driven by the recognition that environmental degradation poses a significant threat to the country’s natural resources, biodiversity, and public health. Some of the key issues and concerns of environmental movements in India include:

Deforestation and forest conservation: India is home to a significant portion of the world’s forests, but deforestation and forest degradation have become major concerns due to increasing demands for timber, agricultural land, and infrastructure development. Environmental movements have called for stricter laws to protect forests, as well as efforts to restore degraded forest areas.

Water scarcity and pollution: Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural intensification have resulted in severe water scarcity and pollution in many parts of India. Environmental movements have highlighted the need for sustainable water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and wastewater treatment.

Air pollution: India has some of the world’s most polluted cities, and air pollution has become a major public health concern. Environmental movements have called for measures to reduce air pollution, including stricter emission norms for industries and vehicles, and greater investment in public transportation.

Climate change: India is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and changing rainfall patterns. Environmental movements have advocated for policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing disaster preparedness.

Wildlife conservation: India is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including endangered species such as tigers, elephants, and rhinoceroses. Environmental movements have called for greater efforts to protect wildlife habitats and combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Overall, environmental movements in India have been critical in raising awareness about the urgent need to address environmental issues and promoting policies and practices that promote sustainable development and protect natural resources.

The context of the rise of Backward Class movements in India

The rise of Backward Class movements in India can be traced back to the post-independence period, when the government began to implement policies to promote social justice and reduce inequality. These policies included affirmative action programs, such as reservation of seats in educational institutions and government jobs, for historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

However, many Backward Classes, who were not covered by these policies, felt that they were still being left behind and that their voices were not being heard. In the 1960s and 1970s, these groups began to organize themselves into movements to demand greater representation and rights.

One of the key factors that contributed to the rise of Backward Class movements was the increasing political consciousness and mobilization of these communities. The formation of political parties, such as the Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, provided a platform for Backward Classes to express their demands and participate in the political process.

Another factor was the emergence of charismatic leaders who galvanized support for Backward Class movements. Leaders such as Kanshi Ram and Lalu Prasad Yadav mobilized large numbers of Backward Class voters by appealing to their shared experiences of discrimination and marginalization.

The rise of Backward Class movements also coincided with broader social and economic changes in India. The expansion of education and employment opportunities, along with greater access to media and information, helped to empower Backward Classes and enable them to assert their rights and demands.

Today, Backward Class movements continue to play a significant role in Indian politics, with many political parties and leaders representing these communities. However, there is also ongoing debate and discussion about the effectiveness and limitations of affirmative action policies, and the need for more inclusive and equitable approaches to address social and economic inequalities in India.

Dalit politicization

Dalit politicization refers to the process of mobilizing and organizing Dalits, who are considered to be the lowest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy, for political action and representation. Dalits have faced centuries of discrimination, oppression, and exclusion from mainstream society, and their political mobilization has been a response to these experiences.

Dalit politicization can be traced back to the late 19th century, when leaders such as Jyotirao Phule and Ambedkar began to articulate a political consciousness among Dalits and advocate for their rights and dignity. However, it was only in the post-independence period, with the introduction of affirmative action policies and the formation of political parties representing Dalit interests, that Dalit politicization began to gain momentum.

One of the key drivers of Dalit politicization has been the demand for greater representation and participation in politics. Dalits have historically been excluded from political power structures and denied access to decision-making processes. Political parties and leaders representing Dalit interests have sought to challenge this exclusion and demand greater representation in electoral politics, as well as in other spheres of public life.

Another important aspect of Dalit politicization has been the demand for social justice and equality. Dalit political movements have sought to challenge the deep-seated caste-based inequalities that continue to pervade Indian society, and to promote a more inclusive and equitable social order. This has involved not only political action, but also cultural and social activism, aimed at challenging the dominant cultural norms and practices that sustain caste-based discrimination and oppression.

Today, Dalit politicization continues to be an important force in Indian politics, with a number of political parties and leaders representing Dalit interests. However, there are also ongoing challenges and obstacles to the full realization of Dalit political rights and aspirations, including ongoing discrimination and marginalization, and the need for more inclusive and responsive political structures and institutions.

Movements for statehood

Movements for statehood refer to the political mobilization and demand for the creation of new states within the Indian federation. India is a federal country consisting of 28 states and 8 union territories, and the demand for new states arises when certain communities or regions feel that their political, economic, and cultural interests are not being adequately represented or addressed within the existing state boundaries.

Movements for statehood can be traced back to the early years of Indian independence, when several princely states were integrated into the Indian Union. This process of integration led to the creation of linguistic states, such as Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, in the 1950s and 1960s, based on the principle of linguistic identity.

Since then, there have been several movements for statehood across different regions and communities in India. Some of the prominent examples include:

Telangana: The demand for a separate state of Telangana, comprising the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh, was first raised in the 1960s. The movement gained momentum in the 2000s, leading to the formation of the new state of Telangana in 2014.

Gorkhaland: The Gorkhaland movement, led by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, has been demanding a separate state for the Nepali-speaking community in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal since the 1980s.

Bodoland: The Bodoland movement, led by the Bodo People’s Front, has been demanding a separate state for the Bodo community in Assam since the 1990s.

Vidarbha: The demand for a separate state of Vidarbha, comprising the eastern region of Maharashtra, has been raised by several political groups and activists since the 1950s.

Movements for statehood often involve protests, strikes, and civil disobedience, and are driven by a range of factors, including cultural identity, economic grievances, political representation, and historical injustices. The creation of new states can have significant implications for political power structures, resource allocation, and administrative arrangements, and is often a contentious and complex process.

Relative Deprivation Theory

Relative deprivation theory is a social psychological theory that explains how individuals or groups may become motivated to take action or engage in social movements when they perceive themselves to be relatively deprived compared to others in their reference group. The theory suggests that people compare their own situation and outcomes to those of others around them, and when they perceive a gap or discrepancy between their own situation and the situation of others, they may experience feelings of frustration, anger, or resentment, which can motivate them to take action to address this perceived injustice.

According to relative deprivation theory, individuals or groups may become more likely to engage in collective action or social movements when they perceive their relative deprivation to be:

Illegitimate: When they perceive their deprivation to be unfair or unjust, and the result of some systemic or institutionalized discrimination or disadvantage.

Extreme: When the gap between their own situation and that of others in their reference group is particularly large, or when the deprivation affects basic needs or fundamental values.

Unstable: When they perceive their deprivation to be temporary or unstable, and that they have the potential to improve their situation through collective action.

Relative deprivation theory has been used to explain a variety of social movements and collective action, including civil rights movements, labor movements, and environmental movements. The theory suggests that social movements may arise when individuals or groups feel that they are not receiving a fair share of resources or opportunities, and that collective action is necessary to address these inequalities. However, it is important to note that relative deprivation theory is not the only theory that can explain social movements, and that other factors such as ideology, leadership, and organizational structure may also play important roles in motivating and sustaining collective action.

Liberal approach to study social movements

The liberal approach to the study of social movements emphasizes the role of individual agency and the importance of political and legal institutions in facilitating social change. From a liberal perspective, social movements are seen as expressions of individual and collective interests that are channeled through institutionalized processes of democratic participation and representation.

According to the liberal approach, social movements are best understood as a form of interest group politics, in which individuals and groups seek to influence policy and decision-making processes through formal channels such as elections, lobbying, and legal advocacy. From this perspective, social movements are seen as a necessary and legitimate part of democratic politics, and are often seen as a means of correcting imbalances or injustices in the political system.

The liberal approach also emphasizes the importance of legal and constitutional frameworks in facilitating social change. From this perspective, social movements are seen as agents of legal and political reform, and are often seen as working within established legal and political frameworks to achieve their goals.

However, critics of the liberal approach argue that it tends to overlook the structural and systemic factors that underlie social inequality and injustice. Critics argue that the liberal approach tends to focus on individual agency and formal political processes, while ignoring the broader social, economic, and cultural factors that shape political outcomes and social change. Critics also argue that the liberal approach tends to reinforce existing power structures and hierarchies, by assuming that the existing legal and political institutions are neutral and impartial, rather than reflecting the interests and values of dominant groups in society.

Reservation politics in India.

Reservation politics in India refers to the system of affirmative action policies that are designed to address historical inequalities and social disadvantages faced by certain groups in Indian society, particularly Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Reservation policies in India were first introduced in 1950, following the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which provided for quotas in educational institutions and public employment for SCs and STs. In 1990, the government of India extended reservation policies to include OBCs as well, in response to growing demands for social and economic equality from these communities.

Reservation policies in India have been controversial and have faced criticism from some quarters. Opponents argue that reservation policies have led to reverse discrimination and have created resentment among those who do not belong to the reserved categories. They also argue that reservation policies have failed to address the underlying causes of social and economic inequality, such as poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Proponents of reservation policies, on the other hand, argue that they are necessary to address historical injustices and to promote social and economic equality. They argue that reservation policies have helped to increase representation of underprivileged groups in educational institutions and public employment, and have provided opportunities for upward mobility.

The issue of reservation policies continues to be a highly debated topic in Indian politics, with different political parties and interest groups taking different positions on the issue. While reservation policies have helped to promote social and economic equality for certain marginalized groups in Indian society, there is ongoing debate about the effectiveness and fairness of these policies, and how they can be improved to better address the underlying causes of inequality.

Communal and religious movements and their impact

Communal and religious movements in India refer to social movements that are based on religious or communal identity, and that seek to promote the interests of a particular religious or ethnic community. These movements can take many forms, from peaceful social movements to violent political movements.

Communal and religious movements in India have had a significant impact on Indian politics and society. One of the most prominent communal movements in India is the Hindu nationalist movement, which seeks to promote the interests of the majority Hindu community and to establish India as a Hindu state. The Hindu nationalist movement has had a significant impact on Indian politics, and has been associated with several political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Communal and religious movements in India have also been associated with social and economic exclusion, and have often been directed against minority religious or ethnic communities. This has led to several instances of communal violence in India, particularly in the form of Hindu-Muslim violence, which has claimed the lives of thousands of people over the years.

On the other hand, religious and communal movements have also played a positive role in Indian society, by promoting social welfare and community development. For example, the Sikh community in India has been associated with several social and charitable initiatives, including free kitchens (langar) that provide meals to the poor and needy, and free medical clinics that provide healthcare to underserved communities.

Overall, communal and religious movements in India have had both positive and negative impacts on Indian society and politics. While they have played a significant role in shaping Indian identity and politics, they have also contributed to social and economic exclusion and have been associated with communal violence. It is important for Indian society and its leaders to find a way to balance the positive contributions of communal and religious movements with the negative impacts that they can sometimes have.

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