Can you
identify any ideas or theories which have led to the formation of
social movements in India in recent times?
Can you identify any ideas or theories which have led to the formation of social movements in India in recent times?
Many
social theories have been at the root of social movements in India
after independence. These include theories related to socialism,
feminism and environmentalism. Socialist movements have strived to
secure economic justice for backward classes. The ideal of socialism
has been recognised in the preamble of the Constitution of India as
well. Dalits and tribals have participated in socio-political
movements to acquire political power based on the ideas of social
reforms movements of nineteenth and twentieth century. These groups
had been exploited from ancient time and are now endeavouring to
claim their place in society. Feminism seeks to redefine the role of
women in society and bring it on equal footing with that of men.
Feminist movements have struggled against stereotypes and made
efforts to secure the rights of women at home and workplace with some
degree of success. Environmental movements have combined
environmental and social concerns of people which have been
overshadowed by developmental concerns. The Gandhian ideals of
peaceful agitation and simplistic living have their association with
most of these movements. Environmentalism has recently acquired a
prominent focus among social concerns with problems like climate
change and its attendant costs, particularly for developing
countries. Major socio-environmental movements in India are the
Chipko movement, the Appiko movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan and
Silent Valley conservation.
Many social theories have been at the root of social movements in India after independence. These include theories related to socialism, feminism and environmentalism. Socialist movements have strived to secure economic justice for backward classes. The ideal of socialism has been recognised in the preamble of the Constitution of India as well. Dalits and tribals have participated in socio-political movements to acquire political power based on the ideas of social reforms movements of nineteenth and twentieth century. These groups had been exploited from ancient time and are now endeavouring to claim their place in society. Feminism seeks to redefine the role of women in society and bring it on equal footing with that of men. Feminist movements have struggled against stereotypes and made efforts to secure the rights of women at home and workplace with some degree of success. Environmental movements have combined environmental and social concerns of people which have been overshadowed by developmental concerns. The Gandhian ideals of peaceful agitation and simplistic living have their association with most of these movements. Environmentalism has recently acquired a prominent focus among social concerns with problems like climate change and its attendant costs, particularly for developing countries. Major socio-environmental movements in India are the Chipko movement, the Appiko movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan and Silent Valley conservation.
