Q7 discuss the new social movement in india

In the recent decades there is a total rethink of the developmental strategies adopted by the
state. The reason behind this is the marginalization of the masses. The developmental
strategies have failed to solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy and health and added new
problems. The state centric development approach has been held accused for all the problems
persisting still after 60 years of independence. The central role played by the state has raised
many questions of real democratic participation of the masses of the local community. This led
to the emergence of many new non political and civil society movements and voluntary sector
focusing on specific issues.

Civil society has always been part of the liberal democratic theories. It is considered to be an
independent sphere but need to be protected by the state. The western notions of civil society
and state are not as same as to the Indian situation.

The earliest social movement of India can be marked to Gandhian effort of Sarvodaya. Change
has to come by and from the people and it includes civil society at every step. In 1970s, saw rise
of many civil society based non political party affiliated social movements with an alternative
political vision of the state but in contrast of the old trade union. It can be termed as broader
based peoples’ response to ecological, gender, caste or other problems. The movements were
not homogenous but differed in nature. In many cases the local initiatives merged and gave rise
to a formation of large scale movement. Some movements succeeded while some died out and
some sow the seeds for change.

The seed can be identified with such broad aims such as equality and access to resources,
equality of social, political and cultural rights, real participation in all social divisions affecting
work, welfare, politics and division between mental and manual work. The objectives can be
identified as follow –

 Genuine participation
 Self productive and self management

 Autonomy

 Solidarity

 Innovativeness

The few examples of civil society based social movements are Self Employed Women
Association (SEWA), the chipko movement, kerala science movement, narmada bachao andolan
etc. There are innumerable other movements which have contributed in mobilization,
conscientisation and organization for development and democracy.

There have been interventions in the available political space in the socio-economic system.
The social movement and non party politics have not been fully succeeded in all endeavors but
has achieved some commendable victories, for e.g. the chipko movement initiated by Mr.
Sunderlal Bahuguna for the livelihood rights and environment protection of about 25,000 hill
tribal resident was able to get a ban on felling trees above 1000m and making government
announce certain forests protected regions. It also inspired for the civil society movements in
other part of the country. The movement led by Anna Hazare for transparent bureaucratic
apparatus of the state in his village in Maharashtra has pursued the government to enact the
Right to Information Act.

The movement fighting for separate state hood and autonomy also come under the broad
rubric of civil society movements. There have been a number of struggles in the post
independence era with issues related to women, dalit, land use, environment etc. The social
movements have been inclusive in the past with particular objectives rather than universal
principles.

The non party politics and social movements are the indicators of the pulse of the people that
they are no longer ready to accept the developmental paradigm that keep them out and
preclude their participation. It is not about capturing the state through power but to empower
the civil society to counter the state dominant power.

The non –party politics and advocating the rights of the civil society has brought in people on a
common platform emerging out of a peculiar contradiction with in society and culture in
transition. It has pressurized the state to talk the language of masses and take pro-people stand
through numerous policies and legislatures in recent pasts. The contemporary interest in
voluntary action is seen as a reaction to the failure of the state and has forced the state to
initiate people centered approach.