CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7: Rise of Popular Movements NCERT Solutions

Solution: The incorrect statement is (c). The Chipko Movement was primarily an environmental movement focused on forest conservation and resource rights, not a movement against alcoholism. While women were active participants, the movement's core agenda was ecological protection and the rights of local communities over their natural resources, addressing issues of ecological and economic exploitation.

Solution:

Statement (a) is incorrect. A corrected version could be: Social movements often contribute to the functioning of India's democracy by raising awareness, advocating for marginalized groups, and pushing for policy changes, thereby enhancing democratic participation and accountability.

Statement (b) is correct. The strength of social movements indeed lies in their ability to mobilize a broad base of support across various social sections, which gives them significant collective power.

Statement (c) is correct. Social movements frequently emerge to address specific issues, grievances, or demands that are not adequately taken up or resolved by existing political parties or institutions.

Solution:

Reasons for the Chipko Movement:

1. The movement was sparked in the early 1970s in the Uttarakhand region (then part of Uttar Pradesh) when local villagers were denied permission to cut ash trees for making agricultural tools. Simultaneously, the government allotted the same forest land to a sports manufacturing company for commercial purposes.
2. This decision led to protests by the villagers against the government's logging practices and the commercial exploitation of forest resources that threatened their livelihoods and the environment.
3. The villagers, particularly women, adopted a novel method of protest by physically hugging the trees (Chipko means 'to stick' or 'hug' in Hindi) to prevent them from being felled by loggers.

Impact of the Movement:

1. The Chipko movement quickly gained momentum and spread across many parts of Uttarakhand, raising broader issues of ecological degradation and economic exploitation of the region's natural resources.
2. The widespread protests and the unique nature of the movement compelled the government to take notice. Consequently, the government imposed a ban on the felling of trees in the Himalayan region for fifteen years, allowing the forest cover to regenerate.
3. A significant aspect of the movement was the active and prominent participation of women, which was a novel and empowering feature, highlighting their stake in environmental protection and community well-being.
4. Although it started with a specific issue concerning forest resources, the Chipko Movement became a symbol and inspiration for numerous other popular movements that emerged across India during the 1970s, advocating for various social and environmental causes.

Solution:

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) emerged as a prominent farmers' organization, particularly active in protesting against the economic liberalization policies of the Indian government and advocating for the rights and welfare of farmers.

Issues Addressed by BKU in the Nineties:

1. Higher Government Support Prices: BKU demanded that the government should set higher minimum support prices (MSP) for crucial crops like sugarcane and wheat to ensure better returns for farmers.
2. Affordable Electricity: They advocated for a guaranteed supply of electricity for agricultural purposes at reasonable and subsidized rates.
3. Loan Waivers: A significant demand was the waiver of outstanding loan repayments for farmers, who often faced financial distress due to crop failures or market fluctuations.
4. Government Pension: BKU called for the provision of a government pension scheme for farmers, ensuring some financial security in their old age.
5. Inter-state Movement of Produce: They sought the abolition of restrictions on the movement of agricultural produce between different states, aiming to create a more unified market and better price discovery.

Extent of Success:

1. BKU became one of the most influential social movements, effectively highlighting the plight of farmers through various forms of protest, including rallies, demonstrations, and 'Jail Bharo' (court arrest) agitations.
2. These protests often involved hundreds of thousands of farmers, particularly from western Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions, demonstrating the movement's significant reach and mobilization capacity.
3. BKU operated effectively as a pressure group in politics, leveraging its large membership base to influence policy decisions and political discourse.
4. The movement sustained its activities over a long period due to strong internal networks and community ties among its members, which facilitated the mobilization of funds, resources, and coordinated actions.
5. Through its political bargaining power, BKU managed to achieve some of its objectives and significantly influenced regional electoral politics, with its members often playing a key role in local governance and elections.

Solution:

The anti-arrack movement, primarily led by rural women in Andhra Pradesh, brought critical social and economic issues to the forefront of national attention. The movement was initially rooted in a 'adult literacy drive' where women began voicing their concerns about the detrimental effects of increased alcohol consumption, particularly of locally brewed arrack, on their families and the rural economy.

Key Issues Highlighted:

1. Prohibition of Arrack Sale: The most direct demand of the movement was for the prohibition of the sale of arrack, a potent local liquor, which was seen as a major cause of social and economic distress in rural households.
2. Nexus Between Crime and Politics: The movement exposed the close links between the illicit liquor trade (mafias) and political patronage, highlighting how corruption and crime were intertwined and affecting governance.
3. Domestic Violence and Women's Safety: Women openly discussed and protested against issues of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and sexual violence, which were often exacerbated by alcoholism within families. The movement provided a crucial platform for women to share their private struggles and demand collective action.
4. Economic Impact on Families: The excessive spending on alcohol by men led to severe economic hardship for families, impacting their ability to meet basic needs, which was a central grievance driving the movement.
5. Empowerment of Women: By organizing and protesting, the women involved gained a sense of collective power and agency, challenging patriarchal norms and demanding a better quality of life for themselves and their communities.

Solution:

Yes, the anti-arrack movement can certainly be considered a significant part of the broader women's movement in India. Here's why:

1. Focus on Women's Issues: The movement directly addressed issues that disproportionately affect women, such as domestic violence, financial strain on households due to male alcoholism, and the general disruption of family life caused by excessive drinking.
2. Empowerment and Agency: It provided a platform for women to come together, voice their grievances collectively, and take direct action against a social ill that was ruining their lives. This collective action fostered a sense of empowerment and agency among the participating women.
3. Challenging Patriarchy: By protesting against alcoholism and its consequences, the women were indirectly challenging patriarchal structures that often tolerated or ignored such issues within the private sphere. They brought these 'private' issues into the public domain for collective resolution.
4. Broader Social Change: While the immediate goal was the prohibition of arrack, the movement's success and the solidarity it fostered among women contributed to a larger discourse on women's rights, safety, and their role in social and political change. It demonstrated women's capacity to mobilize and effect significant social reform.