Chapter-8

Social Movements
Introduction
Where a group of people come together in order to bring about change in society in
regard to certain social issues with the aim of changing people’s perspectives about
that aspect.
Dissent (dissatisfaction)

Protest (where it comes out openly)

Social Movement (may or may not lead).

Dissent is a form of dissatisfaction that people feel about a certain issue and when it
comes out openly it is in the form of a protest.

During colonial rule

There were many social reformers who wanted to change the life of the depressed class
and few social evils.
Now social movements are present today also but the issues have changed.
They have become global and have a difference there e.g. environment, domestic
violence etc.

Features of Social Movement

Requires sustained collective action over time. Such action is often directed against
the state and takes the form of demanding changes in state policy or practice.
Collective action must be marked by some degree of organisation. This organisation
may include a leadership and a structure that defines how members relate to each
other, make decisions and carry them out.
Those participating in a social movement also have shared objectives and ideologies.
A social movement has a general orientation or way of approaching to bring about (or
to prevent) change.
 These defining features are not constant. They may change over the course of a
social movement’s life.
Social movements cannot change society easily. Since it goes against both
entrenched interests and values, there is bound to be opposition and resistance. But
over a period of time changes do take place.

Counter Movement
Counter movements sometimes arise in defence of status quo. There are many
instances of counter movements.
When Raja Rammohun Roy campaigned against sati and formed the Brahmo Samaj,
defenders of sati formed Dharma Sabha and petitioned the British not to legislate
against sati.
When reformers demanded education for girls, many protested that this would be
disastrous for society.
When reformers campaigned for widow remarriage, they were socially boycotted.
When the so called ‘lower caste’ children enrolled in schools, some so called ‘upper
caste’ children were withdrawn from the schools by their families.
Proposals for extending reservation in educational institutions have led to counter
movements opposing them.

Acts of social movement

While protest is the most visible form of collective action, a social movement also
acts in other, equally important, ways.
Social movement activists hold meetings to mobilise people around the issues that
concern them. Such activities help shared understanding, and also prepare for a
feeling of agreement or consensus about how to pursue the collective agenda.
Social movements also chart out campaigns that include lobbying with the
government, media and other important makers of public opinion.
Social movements also develop distinct modes of protest. This could be candle and
torch light processions, use of black cloth, street theatres, songs, poetry.
Gandhi adopted novel ways such as ahimsa, satyagraha and his use of the charkha
in the freedom movement.

Difference between social change and movement

 Social Change Social Movement

Ongoing process Keeps changing not ongoing

Effects eco, social, political, Cultural aspect society Effects a certain aspect of society

Sociology and Social Movement

1. In an country, social movements aims at changing some aspect of society.
French revolution against monarchy when people were suffering, depressed and
wanted freedom and equality.
Industrial Revolt (Britain) – protest by common man paid low wages and treated
badly.
2. According to Emile Durkheim, social movement can lead to disintegration/disorder of
society. Society is more important than individuals.
Spoke about division of labour, social facts, suicide and religion.
3. Social movements usually aim at improving the life of depressed class and sociology is
the study of society.
Poor people/depressed section express themselves through protests as they have no
other way of doing so.

Theories of Social Movements

(1) Theory of Relative Deprivation
Everyone is deprived of something but every deprivation does not lead to social
movements.
However this theory states that when a particular, group is deprived by any basic
necessity it will lead to a social movement. The basis of this theory is that the
individual
(i) Feels resentful (unhappy with situation)
(ii) Has a psychological factor which convinces them that they are deprived.
Limitations
● Every deprivation should not or will not lead to a social movement.
● Deprivation is not enough for a social movement.
● Many other factors are involved.
Theory of collective action
 Given by Olson who states that every individual who is part of a social movement
have a self-interest. As soon as their self-interest is fulfilled they leave the social
movement.
The basis of this theory is humans rational thinking why should 1 be part of a social
movement if I don’t benefit.
Theory of Resource Mobilisation
Given by McCarthy and Zald.
They said everyone in a social movement need not have self interest.
They said social movement is successful if one is able to mobilise resources (people,
good leaders, economic resources, political support), e.g Anna Hazare (2011), did
not have self interest.
Limitations
According to Sociologists people can create resources. They don’t have to mobilise
them. A social movement need not depend on existing resources, new identities, new
resources etc are created.
e.g. Freedom struggle – no money, political power but generated resources in man
power, good leader etc.

Types of Social Movements

Three ways to classify social movements
Reformist Movement is a movement where the reformers try to change the mindset of the
people regarding a particular issue.
Revolutionary Movement is a movement where radical or violent methods are used to bring
about change in society. (Could use weapons),
e.g Subash Chandra Bose – Indian National Army, Bhagat Singh
Redemptive Movement is formed to reduce actions done in the past. It lies to change the
thinking of the people.
e.g. Anti Brahmin Movement started by Shree Narayan

Old Movement New Movements

1 Most have links with political parties 1 Do not have links to politics parties. May
. and they were very imp. e.g freedom . sometimes oppose the practices of govt.,
struggle INC e.g workers movement.
 2 Main aim Saw the reorganization of 2 Main aim address social issues, no
. power relationships. . change in power relationships.

3 Usually to do with economic 3 Involves economic, social, political and

. inequality. . cultural inequality.

4 Usually concerned with the lower or 4 To do with all classes and all castes e.g
. depressed class like women and . workers movement. Tribal movement
dalits e.g Arya Samaj.

Ecological Movement
Any movement to do with the environment.
It is a new problems.
It was not there in the past.
Have come up in the last 2-3 decades.
Chipko Movement – is a movement which was not ordy economic aspect, it affected
all aspect.
Economic
When contractors from cities came to cut down the trees, the women and children
went and hugged the trees.
Reason being they were dependent on the forest for their livelihood (grazing, fodder,
firewood, food and gathering).
Political
Villagers were unhappy that politicians sitting in the cities were dictating terms and
they knew politicians were not concerned about their livelihood.
It became popular, mass media was important in spreading the news and people
started their own movements in their own states.

Class Based Movement

Peasant Movement
1. Pre-Colonial: There were movements, but they were not localised so we did not know
about them as peasants were too scared to form their own movements. They were poor
and could not mobilise people.
2. Colonial
(i) 19th Century – Some revolts did become quite popular.
(ii) Bengal Revolt – Indigo plantations by Gandhi during 1917 – 1920 when he came
back from South Africa he traveled all across India helping people.
There were 2 important movements.
(i) Champaran
(ii) Bardoli
1920 there were a lot of revolts to do with forest.
Organisations formed: All India Kisan Sabha (AlKS), Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha

After Independence
Telangana Movement (West Bengal).
Farmers had to give 50% profit to government.
They wanted 2/3 (60%) profit and give remaining 1/3 to the govt
sharecroppers (supported by CPI and AIKS).

Telangana Movement (Andhra Pradesh).

They were against the Feudal System.
Peasants protested against the Nizams rule.
They wanted proper working system.
It was supported by CPI.
Naxalbari – in West Bengal it started off as peasant movement and slowly became
New Farmers Movement
Started off by farmers in a few places like Tamil Nadu, Punjab.
Farmers put money together and built roads etc as they were tired of the politicians
faked promises and they did all the work and they did not let the government vehicles
pass.
No support from government parties.
Anti urban and anti government.
Worked for years for administration to help them but since they got no help they did it
on their own. Mainly connected with market.
Prices reduced more support from government reduce taxes, subsidiaries, support
price, easy loans, stop exploitation, methods they used to show their displeasure.
Bandhs, blocked roads and railways. No politicians, administrators on the road. New
farmers movements slowly took under its wings women issues and ecological issues.
Workers Movement
During the colonial period, the workers had their own problems.
Chennai, Bombay, Calcutta
Initially problems were to do with wages, working conditions.
Trade unions – consists of workers themselves,
They form an association.
Initially the protest was localised but national movement picked up momentum and
so the workers movement picked up momentum.
bi the early 20th Century there were textile strikes, workers strikes
Calcutta – Jute mill
Chennai & Bombay – Textile mill
Trade unions were established
TLA (textile labour association) – Gandhi ji
AITUC (all India trade union congress) – B.P. Wadia
Old movements were supported by a political party. Some supported by radicals and
modulate. ‘
When ATTUC was formed, the Britishers became very cautious.
Many laws were passed by the Britishers which had its own rules and regulations as
Trade Union Act.
Slowly AITUC became very powerful and were supported by the communists.
They formed – Indian National Trade Union Congress
The Radicals and Congress moved away AITUC became very powerful at local,
regional, national level.
1960’s
During recession period many became jobless.There was inflation and protests
1970’s
There were many railway strikes main urban of transport.
Demanding better wages and working conditions.
During emergency no protests allowed.

Caste Based Movement

Dalit Movement
They are different from other movements as they were fighting for self-respect and dignity.
 They wanted to be touched. It was not only Dalits fighting but also some Brahmins
and Gandhi ji.
It was a struggle against discrimination. The concept of untouchability was to be
abolished.
Concept of untouchability had connections with destiny and pollution purity.
Dalit movement took place all over India and each dalit movement had a different
issue/ agenda (wages/employment) but they also fought for dignity and self-respect.
Not only started by Dalits but other castes also (Sri Narayana Guru)
Satnami Movement – Chhattisgarh
Mahar Movement – Maharashtra
Adi Dharma Movement – Punjab
Anti Brahman Movement – Kerala.
Dalit Panther Movement.
Dalit movement could be ignored in the past but not now due to media.
Dalit literature became popular because it was poems, dramas, songs, stories about
their lives and sufferings etc.
This led to the change in the mindset of people and emphasized the fighting for self
dignity by Dalits and to bring about change in all aspects of life.
Reservations are a result of dalit movement.

OBC Movement
Other backward classes
Economically backward but are part of the forward caste.
Don’t suffer from untouchability.
OBC was first used in Madras and Bombay for those who were economically
backward
AIBCL/F – All India Backward classes League/Federation.