Social Movements in India
Q.1 (A) Complete the following statements by choosing the correct alternative given in the bracket and rewrite it.
(1) The Chipko Movement is for ___. (women’s empowerment, labour rights, saving the environment)
Answer: saving the environment.
(2) The Bhartiya Lok Dal was started in the year ___. (1954, 1964, 1974)
Answer: 1974
(B) Correct the incorrect pair and rewrite it.
(1) (i) Women’s Movement – Gender equality
(ii) International Decade of Women – From 1991-2001
(iii) Towards Equality – Report on the Status of Women in India
(iv) Feminist Movements – India after Independence
Answer:
Wrong pair – International Decade of Women – From 1991 – 2001
Correct pair – International Decade of Women – From 1975 – 1985
(C) Identify the appropriate term from the given option in the box and rewrite it against the given statement.
(1) Leader of Narmada Bachao Andolan: Medha Patkar
(2) Significant role in the Trade Union Movement: S. A. Dange
(D) Correct underlined words and complete the statement.
(1) The first Kisan Congress held in 1935 led to the establishment of the United Trade Union Congress.
Answer: All India Kisan Sabha.
(2) The Women’s Indian Association was formed in Bombay.
Answer: Madras
Q.2 Write short notes.
(1) Farmers’ Movement
Answer: The Farmers’ Movement in India reflects the struggles of agricultural communities against exploitation and unfair policies. It began during the British period (1857–1921) with revolts like the Deccan riots and Champaran Struggle, driven by oppressive revenue systems and Zamindari practices. The emergence of Kisan Sabhas (1922–1946) marked organized resistance against landlords, with the All India Kisan Sabha formed in 1936. Post-Independence, the movement gained momentum in the 1970s in states like Punjab and Maharashtra, focusing on issues like fair prices, land rights, and government apathy. Leaders like Charan Singh and Sharad Joshi played key roles. Recent events, such as the 2018 Maharashtra farmers’ march and “Farmers’ Strike,” highlight ongoing grievances, including farmer suicides due to debt and poor conditions. The movement continues to demand equitable agricultural policies and sustainable livelihoods.
(2) Characteristics of Social Movement
Answer: Social movements are organized efforts to promote or resist societal change, characterized by:
- Collective Nature: They involve group action, not individual efforts, uniting people for a common cause.
- Planned and Deliberate Action: Movements are preplanned, strategic initiatives, not spontaneous outbursts.
- Ideology and Objectives: Guided by a clear ideology, they aim to achieve specific goals, such as equality or environmental protection.
- Social Change: They seek to alter or resist changes in the existing social order, addressing issues like injustice or exploitation. For example, the Women’s Movement in India, driven by the ideology of gender equality, collectively worked to abolish practices like Sati and promote women’s education.
Q.3 Write differences.
(1) Pre-Independence and PostIndependence periods of the Women’s Movement in India.
Answer:
| Pre-Independence period of women’s movement | Post-Independence period of women’s movement |
| (i) Pre-Independence period of the women’s movement overlapped with the Social Reform Movement in many ways. | (i) Post-Independence period of the women’s movement witnessed several issues like tribal unrest, economic crisis, which took away the singular focus of the women’s movement. |
| (ii) Pre-Independence movements challenged the customary practices which were discriminatory and revolted mainly against human rights violations in the form of Sati and ill-treatment of widows. | (ii) Post-Independence movements focused more on violence against women, sex stereotyping, and further legislative demands for equality of women. |
| (iii) Pre-Independence movements were led by social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule, Maharshi Karve, and so on. | (iii) Post-Independence movements have mobilised masses in the form of women’s organisation, NGOs, SEWA, etc. |
| (iv) Pre-Independence movement needed the voice of others (social reformers) for the problems to be spoken. | (iv) Post-independence movement women are educated and aware and are ready to speak up for themselves. |
| (v) Pre-Independence movement lacked revolutionary social media. | (v) Social media plays a major role during the Post-Independence movement where these movements can reach across the globe and mobilised the youth on a large scale. |
| (vi) The Pre-Independence movement was more of a socio-religious movement. | (vi) The Post-Independence movement was more progressive in nature. |
Q.4 Explain the following concepts with examples.
(1) Social Movement
Answer: A social movement is a collective, organized effort to promote or resist change in society, driven by a shared ideology and objectives. It involves planned actions to address social injustices or inequalities, often challenging established norms or authorities. Social movements are distinct from spontaneous protests due to their structured nature and long-term goals.
- Example: The Women’s Movement in India began in the 19th century with reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy campaigning against Sati, leading to the Sati Abolition Act (1829). It evolved post-Independence to tackle issues like dowry deaths and workplace harassment, influencing laws like the Vishaka Guidelines (1997).
(2) Environmental Movement
Answer: The Environmental Movement is an organized effort to promote sustainable use of natural resources, halt environmental degradation, and restore ecological balance. It addresses issues like deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss, often using non-violent methods to influence policy and public awareness.
- Example: The Chipko Movement (1973) in Uttarakhand, led by Sunderlal Bahuguna, saw villagers, especially women, hugging trees to prevent deforestation. This non-violent protest raised awareness about forest conservation and influenced environmental policies in India.
Q.5 Complete the concept map.
Answer:
Q.6 Give your personal response.
(1) Has the study of Environmental Education had any effect on your behaviour?
Answer: Studying environmental education has significantly influenced my behavior. Learning about issues like deforestation, pollution, and climate change has made me more conscious of my ecological footprint. I now prioritize reducing waste by recycling, using reusable items, and conserving water and electricity. For instance, I carry a reusable water bottle and avoid single-use plastics. Additionally, understanding movements like the Chipko Movement has inspired me to support local conservation initiatives and spread awareness about sustainable practices among peers. This knowledge has instilled a sense of responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
(2) Why is it important to raise social concerns through social movements?
Answer: Raising social concerns through social movements is crucial because they amplify marginalized voices and challenge systemic injustices. Movements like the Women’s Movement and Farmers’ Movement highlight issues such as gender inequality and economic exploitation, which might otherwise be ignored. They foster collective action, uniting people to demand policy changes, as seen in the abolition of Sati or the formation of Kisan Sabhas. Social movements also educate society, shift cultural norms, and promote inclusivity. For example, the Environmental Movement has increased global awareness about climate change, encouraging sustainable practices. By addressing root causes of social issues, movements drive long-term change, ensuring a more equitable and just society.
Q.7 Answer the following question in detail. (About 150-200 words)
‘Social movements play an important role in bringing about changes in society.’ With reference to this statement, choose any two different social movements that you have studied and comment on:
(i) the issues related to the movement, and
(ii) how the movement has brought about changes in Indian society.
Answer: Social movements are pivotal in transforming society by addressing injustices and advocating for change. Two significant movements in India are the Women’s Movement and the Environmental Movement.
Women’s Movement:
- Issues: This movement tackled gender-based discrimination, including practices like Sati, widow remarriage bans, and lack of education for women. Post-Independence, it focused on violence against women (e.g., dowry deaths, rape cases like Nirbhaya), workplace harassment, and patriarchal norms.
- Changes in Society: The movement led to landmark legislations like the Sati Abolition Act (1829), Widow Remarriage Act (1856), and Vishaka Guidelines (1997) for workplace safety. The Towards Equality report (1974) highlighted women’s invisibility, spurring feminist activism. It empowered women through education, political participation, and rural outreach, fostering gender equality and shifting societal attitudes toward women’s rights.
Environmental Movement:
- Issues: It addresses ecological degradation due to deforestation, industrialization, and large-scale projects like dams, which displace communities and harm biodiversity. Key concerns include forest conservation, water resource management, and pollution.
- Changes in Society: Movements like the Chipko Movement (1973) and Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985) raised awareness about sustainable development. Chipko’s non-violent protests influenced forest conservation policies, while NBA highlighted displacement issues, prompting debates on development models. These movements encouraged eco-friendly practices and compelled policymakers to prioritize environmental sustainability.
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