Topics to be Learn :
- Why movements?
- What is a movement?
- Important movements in India
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Movement : Organised activity on a particular issue is called a movement. Organised activity is the essence of any movement.
Why movements? :
- All the people in the society cannot participate in political parties and contribute to social welfare. Some people focus on a particular issue and persue it.
- They follow it constantly and build public opinion.
- A movement is a type of collective action with specific purpose.
- A movement is launched to solve any particular issue or pressurize the government.
- A movement requires people's involvement and sustained efforts to be successful.
What is a movement? :
- When people organise themselves to resolve a certain issue it is called a movement.
- A Movement is a collective action. People’s active participation is expected in the movement. Movements are for public welfare and to solve issues.
- The aim of any movement is not only to pressurize the government but also to oppose its decision or policies.
- A movement is started for different reasons like religious, social, cultural, protection of the environment, ill practices and traditions.
Features of Movement :
Features of Movement :
- Movements increase the participation of people in social life.
- Movements have a leadership. Leadership keeps the movement active. Objectives of the movement, programme of action, strategy of agitation are decided by its leaders. A strong leadership makes movement effective.
- Movements have organisations, without an organisation, it becomes difficult to follow up the issues.
- Any movement requires public support. People should feel connected to the issue that is undertaken by the movement.
- Movements have a programme of action which help them to shape public opinion.
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Importance of Movements in democracy :
Importance of Movements in democracy :
- People organise themselves and start a movement to solve social issues.
- Leaders and activists provide all the information regarding those issues to the government.
- The government takes notice of the problems because of the movement.
- Some movements aim at opposing some policies of the government and certain decisions.
- This is the most recognised method of protest in democracy.
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Advantages of a movement :
Advantages of a movement :
- Many social problems are discussed because of a movement.
- The leaders and the activists of the movement provide all the required information to the government on various issues which is then used to frame future policies.
- People are empowered to protest (Right to Protest) against policies of the government.
- Movements have great significance in democracy.
- However, this right must be used patiently and in a responsible manner.
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Important Movements in India :
Tribal Movement :
Tribal Movement :
- The British prohibited the tribals from making use of forest wealth as means to earn their livelihood.
- Kolam, Gonds, Kolis, Bhilla, Ramoshi, Santhals and Munda revolted in different parts of India against the British.
- Even after independence the right of tribals on forest is denied.
- Their main demands were : Accept their right over forests. They should be allowed to collect products of forests. They should have a right to cultivate on forest land.
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Farmers’ Movement : Farmers movement in India is an important movement.
- Due to the anti-agricultural policies of the British colonial government, the farmers started organizing themselves.
- Farmers’ Movement was witnessed in Champaranya and Bardoli before independence.
- They got inspiration and leadership of Mahatma Phule, Justice Ranade and Mahatma Gandhi.
- Maharashtra Tenancy Act slowed down the movement but after Green Revolution, the movement gained momentum.
- Green Revolution aimed at increasing agricultural production and self-sufficiency in food grains. As its benefits did not reach the poor farmers, the movement had started.
Demands of the farmer movement :
Demands of the farmer movement :
- Appropriate price for agricultural products.
- Agriculture should be treated as an industry.
- To implement suggestions and recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
- Quick decision on debt relief and debt cancellation.
- National policy for agriculture.
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| Swaminathan Commission recommendations :
The following are the recommendations made by the Swaminathan commission :
- Except the production cost farmers should get 50% insurance on crops.
- Minimum support price should be fixed.
- An Agricultural Risk Fund should be established to provide relief to farmers in case of successive crop failure.
- Heavy import duty should be levied on imported agricultural products.
- Permanent supply of electricity and irrigation facilities should be provided.
- The rate of interest on loans for crops should be less.
- Farmers should be provided with seeds and machinery at reasonable prices.
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Policies for the Welfare of the farmers :
Policies for the Welfare of the farmers : The government has started the following policies for the Welfare of the farmers and landless labourers :
- National agriculture policy
- Crop insurance scheme (FASAL Bima Yojana)
- Jalyukt Shivar
- Indira Gandhi Niradhar (old), landless, destitute women farm labour scheme.
- Neem Coated Urea.
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Labour Movement :
- Industries in public and private sector like textile mills, railway companies started in India in the latter part of the nineteenth century.
- Due to industrialisation, a large number of labour force came into existence.
- This led to lot of labour issues.
- After industrialisation the Trade Union Movement emerged in India.
- In 1920, All India Trade Union Congress was established to solve their problems.
- In 1899, railway workers went on strike.
- After globalization, this movement was adversely affected and slowly disintegrated.
Problems of workers in India :
Problems of workers in India :
- Unstable employment and no legal protection.
- Contract basis pattern and financial insecurity.
- Unlimited working hours and health hazards
- Insecurity at workplace.
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Women-s Movement :
Women's Movement :
- In order to stop the injustice and exploitation of women and let them have a dignified life, many men and women social reformers had taken initiatives.
- Raja Rammohan Roy, Mahatma Jotirao Phule, lshwarchandra Vidyasagar, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Pandita Ramabai and Ramabai Ranade were prominent among them.
- The initiative taken by them had brought an end to the practices like sati and child marriage. Due to their efforts, reforms such as widow remarriage, women's education were possible.
- After independence, women got right to vote and they demanded through various movements that they should be given status and prestige as human beings.
- Women participated in various movements to oppose corruption, caste system and religious extremism.
- Women started initiatives to organize movements realising the injustice done to them.
- Women's health, education, social security, status as human beings, independence and empowerment are the challenges faced presently by women's movement.
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Environment Movement : Environmental degradation is a serious problem to tackle at the national or international level.
- Different activities promote the environment movement in India.
- Environment degradation has become a serious issue not only in India but also all over the world.
- The issues of degradation were discussed at Rio-de-Janeiro, Paris and koyto Conferences.
- Even in India many movements are active for conservation of the environment like the Chipko movement, Appika movement and Vanmahatsov.
Challenges faced by the environment movement :
Challenges faced by the environment movement :
- To stop pollution of rivers and protection of different sources of water.
- Protection of bio-diversity and to reduce use of chemicals and its ill effects.
- Protection of forests and the green belt.
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Consumer Movement :
Consumer Movement :
- Consumer movement began in India after the Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986.
- The movement treats each member of the society as a consumer.
- Adulteration, increased costs of items, frauds in weights and measures are some of the problems a consumer has to face.
- Consumer movement was started with the objective of giving consumer protection from such frauds.
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Movements post - 1980 :
- The post-1980 movements were different from earlier movements.
- They were issue-based movements and people tried to organize issue-based mass movements.
- So, they are called neo-social movements.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) :
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) :
- A litigation is filed if an individual or group feels that fundamental rights which are enshrined in the constitution are undermined by the government.
- To safeguard human rights, citizens can file a litigation in High Court or Supreme Court. Such a litigation is known as Public Interest Litigation.
- Public Interest Litigation is filed for problems such as pollution, government avoiding public works and for social problems such as violence discrimination and ostracising someone.
- It is the most effective way of seeking justice
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Dr. Rajendrasinh Rana- Waterman of India :
Dr. Rajendrasinh Rana- Waterman of India :
- Dr. Rajendrashinh Rana built thousands of 'Johads' in Rajasthan.
- He revived many rivers in the desert region of Rajasthan.
- He formed an organisation — "Tarun Bharat Sangh" which built eleven thousand Johads toharvest water.
- He started a campaign for waterconservation, revival of rivers, forest conservation and wildlife conservation.
- He worked continuously for this cause for 31 years building 11 thousand johads bringing about water revolution in Rajasthan.
- Therefore, he is called the Waterman of India.
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