Definitions [1]
Definition: Social Movement
- Turner and Killian: A collectivity acting with some continuity to promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part.
- Herbert Blumer: Collective enterprises to establish a new order of life.
- Sidney Tarrow: Collective challenges to authority, established cultural codes by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities.
Key Points
Key Points: Types of Social Movements
- Alternative Social Movements: Aim at limited change in specific individuals’ behaviour.
- Reformative Social Movements: Seek partial change in certain aspects of society.
- Redemptive Social Movements: Focus on total change in individuals’ beliefs and lifestyle.
- Revolutionary Social Movements: Aim at complete transformation of society.
- General, Specific and Expressive Social Movements: Classified by Herbert Blumer based on their scope and objectives.
Key Points: Post-Independence Era
- Women’s Movement slowed initially after Independence.
- The Constitution guaranteed equality and justice to women.
- The report Towards Equality (1974) highlighted women’s issues.
- Focus shifted to violence, dowry deaths and gender discrimination.
- Feminist organisations became active in major cities.
Key Points: Towards Women’s empowerment
- The movement now focuses on empowerment and equal rights.
- It aims at elimination of discriminatory practices.
- Women seek realisation of their full potential.
- Participation includes activists, NGOs and government support.
- The movement continues with changing perspectives and strategies.
Key Points: Emergence of the Workers’ Movement (1850 to 1918)
- The first phase consisted of spontaneous and unorganised protests by workers.
- Workers protested against low wages, long working hours and poor conditions.
- Shapurji Bengalee and Narayan Meghaji Lokhande played important roles.
- The First Factories Act (1881) was passed due to workers’ agitation.
- The Bombay Mill Hands Association (1884) was one of the first workers’ organisations.
Key Points: Rise of Pressure Groups (1918 to 1947)
- After World War I, rising prices and poor wages led to mass strikes.
- Textile, railway and jute mill workers actively organised strikes.
- Trade Unions emerged as strong pressure groups.
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920.
- The Trade Union Act, 1926 gave legal recognition to trade unions.
Key Points: Role of INTUC (1948 to 1960)
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) was formed in 1947.
- Other unions like HMS, UTUC and BMS were also established.
- Trade unions became linked with political parties.
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provided machinery for settlement of disputes.
- Unions focused on wages, bonus, promotion and workers’ rights.
Key Points: Consolidation and Diversification of the Movement (after 1960)
- Workers achieved gains in wages and working conditions.
- The movement diversified under different political ideologies.
- The 1982 Bombay Textile Strike marked a major turning point.
- Trade unions expanded but also became divided and politicised.
- Globalisation changed the role of government and unions in labour matters.
Key Points: Early Agitations (1857 to 1921)
- British revenue policies and Zamindari system exploited farmers.
- Heavy taxes, indebtedness and famines increased rural distress.
- Moneylenders and landlords seized lands of poor peasants.
- Revolts like Champaran and Kheda movements highlighted peasant issues
- Peasant struggles gained support from the Indian National Congress.
Key Points: Emergence of Kisan Sabhas (1922 to 1946)
- Kisan Sabhas were formed to organise peasants against exploitation.
- Swami Sahajanand Saraswati led the movement in Bihar.
- All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed in 1936.
- Movements spread to Punjab, Gujarat and other regions.
- Peasants demanded abolition of Zamindari and reduction of land revenue.
Key Points: Post-Independence period
- Farmers’ movements became more organised in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Leaders like Charansingh mobilised farmers politically.
- Organisations like BKD, Shetkari Sanghatana and Karnataka Rajya Ryot Sangh emerged.
- Farmers demanded fair prices, representation and policy reforms.
- Recent protests and ‘Farmers’ Strike’ reflect continuing agrarian distress.
Key Points: Emergence of the Environmental Movement in India
- Modern environmentalism began in the 1960s due to rising awareness about environmental degradation.
- It aimed at protecting natural resources and ecological balance.
- The movement is inclusive and involves tribals, farmers and women.
- It mainly uses non-violent methods to raise environmental issues.
- It influenced policy making and environmental laws in India.
Key Points: Causal Issues
- Environmental movements emerged due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
- Population growth led to overuse of land, water and forest resources.
- Problems like deforestation, pollution and loss of biodiversity increased.
- Environmental degradation is linked to social and economic inequalities.
- These issues disturbed the ecological balance of society.
Key Points: Significant Environmental Movements in India
- The movement covers issues like forest rights, land use, water and pollution.
- Chipko Movement opposed deforestation through non-violent protest.
- Narmada Bachao Andolan opposed displacement caused by big dams.
- Movements focus on sustainable development and rehabilitation of affected people.
- Environmental activism continues to shape development policies in India.
Key Points: Characteristics of Social Movements
- Social Movements are different in nature, features, pace and operations.
- Essentially collective in nature: Social movement is not an individual action. It involves a collective action. A group collectivity has to be part of the movement.
- Planned and deliberate action: Social movements have to be preplanned to be executed effectively. Movements are deliberate initiatives and not spontaneous in nature.
- Ideology and objectives: A social movement is backed by an ideology. The ideology guides the course of the movement. It has a set of objectives to fulfill.
- Social change: Social movements are oriented towards bringing about a change. It usually demands change in the already established order or it resists change initiated by the authorities.
Key Points: Causes of Social Movements
- Cultural Drift – Rapid changes in values and ideas create conflict between old and new norms.
- Social Disorganisation – Uneven social change (industrialisation, urbanisation) creates confusion and instability.
- Perceived Social Injustice – Feeling of injustice and dissatisfaction against authorities leads to collective action.
- Rigidity in the normative structure – When social norms become inflexible and fail to meet people’s expectations, movements arise.
Key Points: Social Movements and Social Change
- Social movements and social change are interconnected.
- A social movement has a life cycle (emerges, grows, declines), but social change is continuous.
- A social movement is organised and planned, whereas social change may not always be deliberate.
- Social movements are not present everywhere all the time, but social change is universal and inevitable.
Key Points: Impact of Social Reformers
- Women’s Movement began in the 19th century with efforts of progressive reformers.
- Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy opposed discriminatory practices against women.
- Laws such as Prevention of Sati Act and Widow Remarriage Act were passed.
- Organisations like Women’s Indian Association and AIWC promoted women’s education.
- Women became more aware of their rights and social position.
Key Points: Impact of Nationalist Movement
- Women actively participated in the freedom struggle.
- Leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant mobilised women politically.
- Women joined protests, agitations and civil disobedience movements.
- Participation increased awareness about political and civil rights.
- Nationalism strengthened women’s public presence and leadership.
Important Questions [21]
- Correct the underlined word, complete and rewrite the statement: The Arya Samaj was founded by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.
- Complete the concept map:
- Write differences. Social Movement and Social Change
- Explain the following concept with an example. Social movement
- Correct the underlined words, complete and rewrite the statement: The Quit India Resolution was passed in the year 1932.
- Correct the underlined word, and complete and rewrite the statement: Nirbhaya Rape Case occurred in the year 2002.
- Identify the appropriate term from the given options and rewrite it against the given statement: The title is used for female freedom fighters in India.
- Women's movement during Pre-Independence period and Women's movement during Post-Independence period.
- Correct the incorrect pair and rewrite it: The Sati Prohibition Act - 1942 The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act - 1856 The Female Infanticide Prevention Act - 1870 The Special Marriage Act - 1954
- Identify the appropriate term from the given options and rewrite it against the given statement: Worked for prohibition of child marriage.
- Explain the following concept with example. Women’s empowerment
- The Bhartiya Lok Dal was started in the year ______.
- In Punjab, the farmers’ movement erupted under the leadership of ______.
- Correct the incorrect pair and rewrite it: Chipko Movement - Sunderlal Bahuguna Narmada Bachao Andolan - Sindu Tai Sapkal Quit India Movement - Mahatma Gandhi Farmers’ Movement - Sharad Joshi
- Write short note. Chipko movement
- Discuss any five causes of environment movements you have studied.
- Discuss any five effects of environment movements you have studied.
- 'Earth Day' is celebrated on ______.
- Write a short note. Chipko Movement
- Give your personal response. Has the study of Environmental Education had any effect on your behaviour?
- State whether the following statement is True or False with reason. The scope of environmental movement is wide.
