Chapter 4 - Social and Political Movements
1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences.
(1) ………… is the main demand of farmers movement.
(a) Right to cultivate on the forest land
(b) To get the right price for agricultural product
(c) Protection of consumers
(d) Building of dams
Ans: Option (b) – To get the right price for agricultural product
(2) To increase agricultural production and become self-sufficient with regard to food grains ………… was initiated.
(a) Water revolution
(b) Green revolution
(c) Industrial revolution
(d) White revolution
Ans: Option (b) – Green revolution
2. Explain the concepts.
(1) Tribal movement
Ans:
(i) In the pre-independence period, the British government deprived tribal people of their right to livelihood on forest resources.
(ii) There was a Tribal uprising in Kolam from Chota Nagpur, Gond from Orissa, Koli, Bhilla and Ramoshi from Maharashtra, Santhal and Munda from Bihar.
(iii) Tribals in India face several problems. One major problem is, they are denied rights over forests.
(iv) The main demand of the tribal movement is to accept their right over forests.
(v) They should be allowed to collect products of forests and also should have a right to cultivate on forest land
(2) Labour movement
Ans:
(i) Industries in the public and private sector like textile mills, railway companies started in India in the latter part of the nineteenth century.
(ii) Due to industrialisation, a large number of labour forces came into existence.
(iii) This led to a lot of labour issues. In 1920, All India Trade Union Congress was established to solve their problems.
(iv) Many unions were formed after independence. The Trade Union Movement was very effective from 1960 tifi 1980s.
(v) After the 1980s, the trade union movement lost its momentum and slowly disintegrated. Globalization gave a final blow to the movement.
3. Answer the following questions in brief.
(1) Explain the activities/role/functions of environmental movement.
Ans:
(i) Environmental degradation is a serious problem at the national and international level.
(ii) At international level several movements are working to stop the deterioration of the environment.
(iii) In India many movements are working on different aspects of the environment.
(iv) The environment, movements are taking up issues like protection of biodiversity, protection of forests, green belt, pollution of rivers, use of chemicals and their ill effects, etc.
(2) Explain the nature of farmers movement in India.
Ans:
(i) In British India, farmers organised against anti-agricultural policies and revenue collection ways of colonial rule.
(ii) Such farmers’ movements in Bardoli and Champaranya are well known. They were inspired by the thoughts of Mahatma Phule, Justice Ranade and Mahatma Gandhi.
(iii) In the post independence period, the Green Revolution did not benefit the poor farmers creating a divide between rich and poor farmers. Dissatisfaction among poor farmers led to the beginning of the farmers movement.
(3) For which reforms were the women’s movement in the pre-independence period fighting?
Ans:
(i) The women’s movements in the pre-independence period were fighting for eliminating injustice and exploitation against women, helping them lead a respectful and socially active life.
(ii) Some of the reforms it demanded were:
(a) Widow re-marriage
(b) Women education
(c) Right to vote
(iii) After Independence, women were granted equal political rights by the constitution, however the social struggle for equality continued.
4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(1) Movements are important in a democracy.
Ans: True
Reason:
(i) There are different problems existing in a society. So the different social problems can be discussed through these movements.
(ii) When social problems take the shape of public issues the government has to pay attention to such problems.
(iii) The Right to protest is considered as an important right in democracy.
(iv) Moreover when leaders and activists provide necessary information about social issues, government can use such information for making policies in democracy.
(2) Movements do not need a strong leadership.
Ans: False
Reason:
(i) Without a leader, active participation of the people and success of the movement is not possible.
(ii) Leaders are the links between the people and the government.
(iii) Leaders keep the movement active, they chalk out the objectives was programmes of action and the strategy of agitation.
(iv) Strong leadership makes the movement effective.
(3) Consumer movement came into existence.
Ans: True
Reason:
(i) Due to the changing nature of social and economic system, consumers are facing different problems.
(ii) The problems such as adulteration, increased cost of items, frauds in weight and measures, etc. has been prevalent in the society.
(iii) Hence, to protect the consumers right and interest, the Consumer Protection Act came into existence in 1986.