Chapter 16 – Rise of Popular Movements
Q1. What are popular movements?
Popular movements are mass mobilizations by ordinary people to demand rights, justice, or reforms outside formal political institutions, often led by civil society groups or activists.
Q2. How are popular movements different from political parties?
Parties seek power through elections; movements aim to influence policy, highlight issues, or bring change through protests, campaigns, or public pressure.
Q3. What triggered the Chipko Movement?
Started in the 1970s in Uttarakhand, it protested commercial deforestation; villagers hugged trees to prevent their cutting.
Q4. What was the significance of the Chipko Movement?
It raised environmental awareness, inspired eco-friendly development, and empowered local communities, especially women.
Q5. Who were the key leaders of the Chipko Movement?
Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt were key environmentalists who led and spread the movement.
Q6. What is the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
A movement opposing large dams on the Narmada River that displaced thousands; led by Medha Patkar and supported by activists like Baba Amte.
Q7. What were the demands of the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
Proper rehabilitation of displaced people, environmental review of dam projects, and promotion of sustainable development alternatives.
Q8. What is a social movement?
A collective, organised effort to bring or resist social change through protests, advocacy, or mass participation.
Q9. What is the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU)?
A farmers’ movement in North India fighting for fair prices, loan waivers, and better support, led by Mahendra Singh Tikait.
Q10. What were the methods used by BKU?
Non-violent rallies, highway blockades, sit-ins (dharnas), and negotiations with the government.
Q11. What is the role of NGOs in popular movements?
NGOs help organise protests, raise awareness, file legal cases, and build support networks for movements.
Q12. What is the significance of women’s movements in India?
They highlighted gender-based discrimination, demanded rights, and influenced policy on dowry, domestic violence, and representation.
Q13. What is the Anti-Arrack Movement?
A women-led movement in Andhra Pradesh against liquor consumption, linking alcoholism to domestic violence and poverty.
Q14. How did the Anti-Arrack Movement begin?
Women protested against liquor shops harming their families and society, eventually leading to government action to ban arrack in certain areas.
Q15. What is the Dalit Panthers movement?
Formed in Maharashtra in 1972, it protested caste-based oppression, demanded justice, and drew inspiration from the American Black Panthers.
Q16. What was the significance of Dalit movements?
They challenged caste hierarchy, promoted social justice, and demanded representation in politics and education.
Q17. What is the significance of tribal movements?
Tribal movements resisted displacement, protected forest rights, and sought dignity and land ownership.
Q18. What is the environmental justice movement?
Movements focused on protecting nature, opposing harmful development, and linking environmental issues with social justice.
Q19. What is the Right to Information (RTI) movement?
A people’s campaign demanding transparency and accountability in governance, which led to the RTI Act in 2005.
Q20. What was the Navnirman Movement?
A student-led protest in Gujarat (1974) against corruption and price rise, which led to the fall of the state government.
Q21. What was the JP Movement?
Led by Jayaprakash Narayan in 1974, it called for “Total Revolution” against corruption, misgovernance, and authoritarianism.
Q22. What is the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)?
An organisation in Rajasthan that fought for minimum wages, employment rights, and helped initiate the RTI movement.
Q23. How are new social movements different from old ones?
New movements focus on environmentalism, gender rights, and decentralised decision-making rather than only economic or political power.
Q24. What is the significance of protest politics in democracy?
It keeps governments accountable, highlights neglected issues, and promotes participatory democracy through peaceful resistance.
Q25. What is the relationship between movements and democracy?
Movements deepen democracy by involving citizens, especially marginalized groups, in political discourse and decision-making.
Q26. What is the importance of media in movements?
Media amplifies voices, spreads awareness, mobilises support, and puts pressure on authorities to respond.
Q27. How do courts support popular movements?
Through Public Interest Litigations (PILs), courts often respond to citizen petitions to protect rights or stop harmful policies.
Q28. What are grassroots movements?
Locally driven movements initiated by communities to solve their issues, often without large-scale political or media backing.
Q29. What are identity-based movements?
Movements based on caste, tribe, gender, or region seeking dignity, representation, and protection from discrimination.
Q30. What is the future role of popular movements?
They will continue to shape policies, uphold democratic values, and give a voice to the voiceless in evolving political landscapes.