Introduction:
A social movement is a group effort where people come together willingly to bring change in
society. These changes can be related to people’s thinking, behavior, or the way society is
structured. Social movements are usually well-organized and continue for a long time. They aim to
either bring positive change or stop something they believe is wrong or unfair.
Such movements often start from a small issue, but grow when many people feel the same pain,
injustice, or dissatisfaction. They happen because of social problems, feelings of inequality, or the
desire to improve life for everyone. Though they don’t always use formal or of cial ways, social
movements are powerful tools for making society more just and fair.
Thinkers views-
"Social movements thrive on hope — the belief that change is possible, that injustice is not
inevitable."
— Rebecca Solnit
"Social movements are the breathing spaces of democracy."
— Neera Chandhoke
"Social movements give power to the powerless.”
—Prabhjot singh
Peasant Movements in India: A Historical Overview
🔹 Introduction
Peasant movements in India have been an important part of the country's social and political history.
They re ect the struggles of rural people, especially farmers, against injustice, exploitation, and
unfair systems. These movements began during colonial rule and have continued even after
independence, though their goals and forms have changed over time.
🔹 Pre-Independence Peasant Movements
During British rule, the agrarian structure was mostly feudal. Landlords (zamindars) collected taxes,
and peasants suffered from high rents, debt, and forced cultivation. Some major early movements
include:
• Indigo Revolt (1859–60): In Bengal, peasants protested against being forced to grow indigo
for British planters.
• Deccan Riots (1875): Farmers in Maharashtra revolted against moneylenders who seized
their land.
• Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Led by Mahatma Gandhi, it opposed exploitation by
indigo planters in Bihar.
• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Also led by Gandhi, this was against high land revenue during a
famine in Gujarat.
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• Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Led by Sardar Patel in Gujarat, against a hike in land revenue.
🔹 Aims of Pre-Independence Movement
End of landlordism
• Freedom from economic exploitation
• Political and economic power to the working masses
🔹 Post-Independence Peasant Movements
After 1947, the structure of Indian agriculture changed. Capitalist farming and market-based
agriculture grew, but rural inequality and poverty remained. This led to new peasant struggles:
🔸 Telangana Movement (1946–51)
A massive peasant uprising in Hyderabad against feudal landlords. The Communist Party played a
key role. The movement demanded cancellation of debts and land reforms. It later turned into an
armed struggle.
🔸 Naxalbari Uprising (1967)
Took place in West Bengal. Landless peasants rebelled against land encroachment by rich farmers
and tea estates. It marked the beginning of the Naxalite movement and inspired many similar
struggles.
🔸 Farmers’ Movements by Rich Peasantry:
• Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU): Active in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. It focused on
fair crop prices and support for farmers.
• Shetkari Sanghatana: Founded by Sharad Joshi in Maharashtra. It demanded better market
access and prices for crops like sugarcane, onions, and cotton.
🔹 Aims of Post-Independence Movements
1. Radical land reforms and redistribution.
2. Better crop prices and market support.
3. Fair prices for industrial goods needed by farmers.
4. Minimum wages and better rights for landless laborers.
Conclusion
Peasant movements in India have played a vital role in shaping the country’s social and political
landscape. From the colonial period to post-independence times, these movements have highlighted
the struggles of farmers and rural workers against exploitation and injustice. Though the nature and
goals of these movements have changed over time, their core aim remains the same—to achieve
justice, economic fairness, and better rights for those who work on the land. These movements
remind us of the strength and resilience of the rural population in ghting for their dignity and a
better future
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Introduction:
A social movement is a group effort where people come together willingly to bring change in
society. These changes can be related to people’s thinking, behavior, or the way society is
structured. Social movements are usually well-organized and continue for a long time. They aim to
either bring positive change or stop something they believe is wrong or unfair.
Such movements often start from a small issue, but grow when many people feel the same pain,
injustice, or dissatisfaction. They happen because of social problems, feelings of inequality, or the
desire to improve life for everyone. Though they don’t always use formal or of cial ways, social
movements are powerful tools for making society more just and fair.
Thinkers views-
"Social movements thrive on hope — the belief that change is possible, that injustice is not
inevitable."
— Rebecca Solnit
"Social movements are the breathing spaces of democracy."
— Neera Chandhoke
"Social movements give power to the powerless.”
—Prabhjot singh
WOMEN MOVEMENT
The women’s movement in India emerged within a complex social structure marked by caste, class,
religion, and ethnicity, which shaped women’s varied experiences and struggles. This movement
evolved over time—from reformist beginnings during colonial rule led mainly by men, to
autonomous, feminist-led activism in the post-independence era. Understanding this evolution
requires a clear division between the two historical phases.
Neera Desai: “The women’s movement ghts for equality and freedom for all women.”
Kamala Bhasin:“ The women’s movement challenges discrimination and ghts for justice.”
Aparna Basu: “Women’s role in the freedom struggle was the start of their own political
movement.”
1] Pre-Independence Women’s Movement
Social Reform Movements (19th Century)
The roots of the women’s movement lie in the 19th-century social reform movements within Indian
society. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Mahadev
Govind Ranade focused on combating deeply entrenched social evils affecting women:
• Sati (widow immolation)
• Child marriage
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• Widow remarriage bans
• Polygamy
• Denial of property rights to women
• Lack of women’s education
These reformers, predominantly men, advocated for changes such as the abolition of sati (1829),
legalization of widow remarriage, and promotion of women’s education. Their efforts laid the
foundation for women's emancipation but operated within the prevailing patriarchal framework,
often reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Early Women’s Organizations and Political Rights
By the early 20th century, women began to organize themselves politically. Groups like the All
India Women’s Conference (AIWC), founded in 1927, played a major role in promoting
education and political awareness among women. These organizations also demanded political
rights such as equal franchise and representation in legislatures, often supported by the Indian
National Congress.
Women in the Freedom Struggle
The Indian independence movement became a platform for women to participate in public life on
an unprecedented scale. Leaders like Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Sarojini Naidu, and others
mobilized women for protests, boycotts, and other nationalist activities. Gandhi’s inclusive strategy
enabled women to join the struggle without forsaking their traditional social roles, emphasizing
their participation as helpers and supporters.
Scholars highlight regional diversity in women’s participation, noting that women’s involvement
ranged from organizing mass protests (like the Prabhat Pheri in western India) to providing support
for underground activists. However, despite these contributions, women’s roles were often
circumscribed and secondary to male leadership.
2] Post-Independence Women’s Movement
Legal Reforms and New Organizations
Post-1947, the newly independent Indian state and women’s organizations sought to translate
constitutional guaranteesof equality into tangible legal and social reforms. Key legislations
enacted included:
• Special Marriage Act (1954)
• Hindu Marriage and Divorce Acts (1955)
• Dowry Prohibition Act
Major women’s organizations like the AIWC continued their work, while new groups emerged:
• National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) (1954), linked with the Communist Party
of India
• All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) (1981), af liated with the
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
These organizations addressed a broader range of issues, including economic oppression, social
welfare, and political representation.
Challenges and Contemporary Dynamics
Despite legal and social advances, the women’s movement faces signi cant challenges:
• Persistent patriarchy, caste, and class-based inequalities.
• Political resistance from entrenched power holders.
• Internal ideological differences among women’s groups, complicating uni ed action.
However, the movement continues to push for gender justice, economic equality, and political
empowerment, adapting to new social realities and expanding its reach.
Women’s Movements in India
1. Nirbhaya Movement (2012)
◦ Sparked by a gang-rape case in Delhi.
◦ Led to stricter laws for women’s safety.
2. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (2015)
◦ Campaign to save and educate girls.
◦ Focuses on improving girl child survival and education.
3. Women’s Reservation Movement
◦ Demands 33% reservation for women in politics.
◦ Aims to increase women’s political power.
4. Metro Movement
◦ Protests for safer public transport for women.
◦ Calls for women-only compartments and better security.
Conclusion
The women’s movement in India evolved from male-led social reform efforts in the pre-
independence era to autonomous feminist activism post-independence. While early reformers
tackled visible social evils, post-independence activists have challenged deeper structural
inequalities. This ongoing journey, marked by legal reforms, grassroots struggles, and growing
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political participation, re ects women’s enduring ght for equality and dignity within India’s
diverse and strati ed society.
Workers’ Movement in India
Introduction:
The workers’ movement in India developed alongside the rise of modern industries in the 19th and
20th centuries. Initially aimed at improving the harsh working conditions under colonial rule, it
gradually evolved into a powerful force that contributed not only to labor rights but also to the
country’s freedom struggle. Post-independence, the movement adapted to the new political
landscape while continuing its ght for workers’ welfare.
Pre-Independence Workers’ Movement
1. Emergence of Modern Industries: The establishment of cotton mills, jute factories,
railways, and steel plants employed thousands under poor conditions and long working
hours.
2. Formation of Early Trade Unions: Trade unions such as the Madras Labour Union (1918)
and Textile Labour Association (1920) were founded to collectively address workers’
grievances.
3. Widespread Strikes and Collective Action: The period saw signi cant strikes in cities like
Ahmedabad, Bombay, and Jamshedpur to demand better wages and conditions.
4. Establishment of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC): Founded in 1920, AITUC
became the rst national platform to unify worker organizations across the country.
Objectives of Pre-Independence Movement:
• Improve wages, working hours, and safety conditions.
• Organize workers for collective bargaining and protests.
• Resist exploitation by colonial industrialists.
• Support the freedom movement through active participation in protests.
Post-Independence Workers’ Movement
1. Political Af liation of Trade Unions: Trade unions became linked with political parties
such as INTUC (Congress), CITU (Communist), and BMS (BJP), creating both strength and
fragmentation in the labor movement.
2. Militant Struggles for Workers’ Rights: The 1950s to 1970s experienced major strikes
over wage demands, price rises, and working conditions, including the landmark 1974
railway strike.
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3. Legal Recognition of Trade Unions: The Trade Union Act provided unions with formal
legal status and protection, strengthening their bargaining power.
4. Challenges in Leadership and Unity: While initially worker-led, many unions later faced
challenges due to external political leadership and internal disunity.
Objectives of Post-Independence Movement:
• Secure better wages, allowances, and working conditions in independent India.
• Gain legal protections and recognition for workers and unions.
• In uence government labor policies to favor workers’ welfare.
• Navigate the political landscape to maintain workers’ interests amidst party rivalries.
Recent Landmark Workers’ Strikes in India
1. Railway Workers’ Strike (2024)
◦ Railway employees staged a nationwide strike demanding better wages, improved
safety measures, and job security, causing major disruptions in train services.
2. Samsung Electronics Workers’ Strike, Tamil Nadu (2024)
◦ Workers at the Sriperumbudur plant protested for union recognition, higher wages,
and better working conditions, resulting in a 37-day strike with partial
concessions.
3. Zepto Delivery Workers’ Strike, Hyderabad (2025)
◦ Gig workers went on strike against pay cuts and lack of labor rights, bringing
attention to exploitation in platform-based jobs.
4. Shimla Ambulance Workers’ Strike, Himachal Pradesh (2025)
◦ Ambulance staff held a 24-hour strike demanding overtime pay for 12-hour shifts
and better working conditions in emergency services.
Conclusion:
The workers’ movement in India has been a signi cant force in shaping labor rights and industrial
relations. From its origins in the struggle against colonial exploitation to its role in a democratic
nation, the movement has continuously sought to improve the lives of millions of workers. Despite
challenges such as political fragmentation and leadership con icts, it remains a vital part of India’s
socio-economic fabric.
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