NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 – Rise of Popular Movements

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 explains the emergence of popular movements in India after the 1970s and how these movements influenced democratic politics. Students should refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates. In NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7, students learn how social groups such as farmers, women, Dalits and environmental activists organised movements to demand social justice, economic rights and environmental protection.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 begins with the concept of popular movements, which are collective actions by citizens to influence government policies and address social problems. Unlike political parties that focus on elections, many popular movements focus on specific social issues such as environmental protection, social equality and economic justice.

One of the most famous movements discussed in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 is the Chipko Movement of 1973, which began in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). The movement was led by activists such as Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna, and local villagers — especially women — protected forests by hugging trees to prevent commercial logging.

The chapter also discusses the Dalit Panthers movement founded in Maharashtra in 1972 by activists such as Namdeo Dhasal and J. V. Pawar. Inspired by the Black Panther movement in the United States, the Dalit Panthers fought against caste discrimination and social injustice faced by Dalits in India.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 further examines farmers’ movements such as the Bharatiya Kisan Union led by Mahendra Singh Tikait during the 1980s, which organised large protests demanding better prices and government support for farmers. The chapter also explains the Narmada Bachao Andolan led by Medha Patkar in 1985, which protested against large dam projects on the Narmada River, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Project.

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1. Nature of popular movements

• From the 1970s onwards, India witnessed the rise of several popular movements, where large groups of citizens organised collective action to demand social, economic and political changes.
• These movements usually emerged when people felt that political parties and government institutions were not adequately addressing their problems, especially issues related to poverty, inequality, corruption, environmental protection and social justice.
• Popular movements involved the participation of farmers, workers, students, women, tribal communities and marginalised social groups, who organised protests, demonstrations, rallies and campaigns.
• Many popular movements were local or regional in origin, but they often gained national attention because they raised important public issues affecting large sections of society.
• Some movements were closely associated with political parties, while others were independent civil society movements led by social activists, voluntary organisations and community leaders.
• These movements played an important role in strengthening Indian democracy, because they helped bring public issues into political debate and pressured governments to change policies.

1.1 Chipko movement

• The Chipko Movement was a famous environmental movement that began in 1973 in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh).
• The movement started in the village of Reni in Chamoli district in 1974, where local villagers protested against the commercial cutting of forests by contractors.
• The word “Chipko” means “to hug or embrace”, because villagers hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down by contractors.
• One of the most important leaders associated with the movement was Chandi Prasad Bhatt (born 1934), a social activist who worked with the organisation Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandal (DGSM).
• Another prominent leader was Sunderlal Bahuguna (1927–2021), who helped spread the movement and campaigned for forest conservation and environmental protection.
• A key role in the movement was played by village women, including Gaura Devi (1925–1991), who led the protest in Reni village in 1974 when contractors came to cut trees.
• The movement highlighted the importance of forests for the livelihood of mountain communities, especially for fuel, fodder, water conservation and protection from soil erosion.
• The Chipko Movement later influenced government forest policies, and in 1980 the Government of India led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a 15-year ban on commercial felling of trees in the Himalayan forests.

1.2 Party-based movements

• Some popular movements in India were closely associated with political parties, meaning that political organisations played an important role in mobilising people and organising protests.
• Political parties often used such movements to expand their support base, influence public opinion and challenge the policies of the ruling government.
• For example, several farmers’ movements, labour movements and student protests during the 1960s and 1970s were supported by political parties such as the Socialist Party, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
• Political parties sometimes helped provide leadership, organisational structure and resources for these movements.
• However, when movements became strongly linked with political parties, critics often argued that they could be influenced by electoral politics and party interests rather than purely social concerns.
• As a result, some activists preferred to organise independent movements outside formal party structures, which led to the emergence of non-party political movements in India after the 1970s.

1.3 Non-party movements

• Non-party movements refer to popular movements that are organised independently of political parties and are usually led by social activists, voluntary organisations and civil society groups.
• These movements focus on specific social, economic or environmental issues, rather than seeking to capture political power through elections.
• Non-party movements became particularly important in India after the 1970s, when many activists believed that political parties were unable or unwilling to address certain social problems.
• These movements often relied on public campaigns, peaceful protests, grassroots mobilisation and community participation to raise awareness and demand policy changes.
• Many such movements focused on issues such as environmental protection, rights of tribal communities, social justice, women’s rights and transparency in governance.
• Examples of important non-party movements include the Chipko Movement (1973), Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985 onwards), Anti-arrack Movement in Andhra Pradesh (early 1990s) and the Right to Information Movement.

2. Dalit Panthers

• The Dalit Panthers was a militant social movement that emerged in 1972 in Maharashtra, representing the struggle of Dalits and other oppressed social groups against caste discrimination and social injustice.
• The movement was inspired by the Black Panther Movement of the United States (founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale), which fought against racial discrimination and inequality faced by African-Americans.
• The Dalit Panthers drew ideological inspiration from the ideas of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), who had led the historic struggle for Dalit rights and social equality in India.
• The movement emerged in response to the continued violence and discrimination against Dalits in Maharashtra during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• The organisation attracted young Dalit activists, writers and intellectuals, who sought to challenge the traditional caste hierarchy and social oppression.
• Through protests, public campaigns and cultural activism, the Dalit Panthers highlighted the issues of caste injustice, poverty and discrimination faced by Dalits in Indian society.

2.2 Origins

• The Dalit Panthers organisation was founded in 1972 in Maharashtra, mainly by Namdeo Dhasal (1949–2014), a well-known Dalit poet and activist, along with J. V. Pawar (born 1943) and other young activists.
• The formation of the organisation was strongly influenced by the Black Panther Movement in the United States, which had been established in 1966 to fight racial oppression against African-Americans.
• The movement arose in a context where Dalits in Maharashtra were facing continued social discrimination, violence and economic marginalisation, despite constitutional protections introduced after Independence in 1947.
• The activists of the Dalit Panthers believed that traditional political parties had failed to adequately address the problems of Dalits and other marginalised communities.
• The organisation adopted a radical and militant approach, emphasising self-respect, social justice and resistance against caste oppression.
• The Dalit Panthers aimed to unite Dalits, landless labourers, poor farmers and other oppressed groups in a collective struggle for social equality and dignity.

2.3 Activities

• The Dalit Panthers actively organised protests, demonstrations and campaigns during the early 1970s, particularly in Maharashtra, to protest against caste-based violence and discrimination against Dalits.
• The organisation raised its voice against atrocities committed against Dalits in rural areas, demanding strong legal action and social justice.
• Dalit Panther activists also used literature, poetry, theatre and cultural expression to spread awareness about caste oppression and social inequality.
• Writers such as Namdeo Dhasal played an important role in developing Dalit literature, which became a powerful tool for expressing the experiences of marginalised communities.
• The movement also criticised mainstream political parties and social institutions, accusing them of ignoring the real problems faced by Dalits.
• Although the organisation gradually weakened because of internal divisions and political differences during the late 1970s, the Dalit Panthers movement had a lasting impact on Dalit politics and social movements in India.

3. Bharatiya Kisan Union

• The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) is a major farmers’ organisation in India that became prominent during the 1980s, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
• The movement was led by Mahendra Singh Tikait (1935–2011), a powerful farmers’ leader from Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.
• The BKU organised large farmers’ mobilisations and protests to demand better prices for agricultural products, reduction in electricity charges and improved government support for farmers.
• The organisation mainly represented the interests of middle and large farmers belonging to dominant agricultural communities in North India.
• BKU protests often involved mass rallies, road blockades and large gatherings of farmers, which attracted national political attention during the late 1980s.
• The farmers’ movements led by BKU showed how organised rural groups could influence government policies related to agriculture and rural economy.

3.1 Growth

• The Bharatiya Kisan Union expanded rapidly during the 1980s, especially after several large farmers’ protests organised in western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
• One of the most significant protests took place in 1988, when thousands of farmers gathered in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Tikait.
• Farmers participating in the movement demanded higher procurement prices for crops, reduction of electricity tariffs for irrigation and cancellation of agricultural loans.
• The movement attracted widespread support among prosperous farmers of the Green Revolution regions, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
• The growth of the BKU demonstrated the increasing political influence of farmers’ organisations in India during the 1980s.
• Through collective mobilisation, farmers were able to pressure governments to negotiate and address their economic demands.

3.2 Characteristics

• The Bharatiya Kisan Union movement was characterised by large-scale peaceful mobilisation of farmers, where thousands of cultivators participated in mass gatherings and demonstrations.
• The movement was largely non-partisan, meaning that it tried to remain independent of direct control by political parties.
• BKU protests were often organised through village-level networks and local farmer associations, which helped mobilise large numbers of participants.
• The movement focused primarily on economic issues affecting farmers, such as crop prices, electricity tariffs, irrigation costs and agricultural subsidies.
• BKU also emphasised the unity of farmers across caste and regional divisions, attempting to build a broad rural coalition.
• The movement demonstrated that organised interest groups in rural India could significantly influence government policies and national political debates.

4. Anti-arrack movement

• The Anti-arrack movement was a powerful social movement against the consumption and sale of arrack (a locally produced alcoholic drink) that emerged in Andhra Pradesh during the early 1990s.
• The movement was mainly led by rural women, who protested against the harmful social and economic effects of alcohol consumption on families and communities.
• Women argued that excessive drinking by men resulted in domestic violence, loss of household income and financial hardship for poor families.
• The movement gained strength in 1992 in the village of Dubagunta in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, where women organised protests against local liquor shops.
• The protests spread rapidly to many villages and districts of Andhra Pradesh, leading to large demonstrations and public campaigns against arrack sales.
• The movement forced the Government of Andhra Pradesh to impose restrictions and eventually ban the sale of arrack in the state in 1994.

4.1 Origins

• The origins of the Anti-arrack movement can be traced to the adult literacy campaign conducted in Andhra Pradesh in the early 1990s.
• During these literacy programmes, many rural women began discussing the problems caused by alcohol consumption in their households, especially the economic burden and domestic violence associated with drinking.
• Women realised that a large portion of family income was being spent on arrack, which affected the nutrition, education and welfare of children.
• These discussions gradually transformed into collective action, where women began organising protests against local liquor contractors and government policies that allowed arrack sales.
• The movement started gaining momentum in 1992, particularly in Dubagunta village in Nellore district, where women collectively demanded the closure of arrack shops.
• The protests soon spread to many other parts of Andhra Pradesh, turning into a state-wide movement led by rural women.

4.2 Linkages

• The Anti-arrack movement soon developed strong connections with other social issues, including women’s rights, poverty reduction and social justice.
• Women activists began linking the struggle against alcohol with broader concerns such as domestic violence, gender inequality and economic exploitation of poor households.
• Several women’s organisations, voluntary groups and social activists supported the movement and helped spread awareness across different regions of Andhra Pradesh.
• The movement also influenced government policies on prohibition and liquor regulation, showing how grassroots activism could affect state policy decisions.
• The success of the Anti-arrack movement demonstrated the growing political participation of rural women in India during the 1990s.
• It also showed that local social movements could develop into powerful state-level campaigns capable of influencing government decisions.

5. Narmada Bachao Andolan

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a major social and environmental movement that began in 1985 to oppose the construction of large dams on the Narmada River.
• The movement was led by social activists such as Medha Patkar (born 1954) and supported by prominent environmentalist Baba Amte (1914–2008).
• The movement protested against the displacement of thousands of tribal families, farmers and local communities due to the construction of large dam projects on the Narmada River, which flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Activists argued that the dam projects would lead to loss of forests, agricultural land and livelihoods of local communities, particularly affecting Adivasi populations living in the region.
• The movement demanded proper rehabilitation and resettlement for displaced people and questioned the development model based on large dams and industrial projects.
• Through protests, marches, legal actions and international campaigns, the Narmada Bachao Andolan brought national and global attention to the social and environmental consequences of large development projects.

5.1 Sardar Sarovar Project

• The Sardar Sarovar Project is one of the largest multi-purpose river valley projects in India, planned on the Narmada River in Gujarat.
• The project involves the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which aims to provide irrigation, drinking water and hydroelectric power to several regions.
• According to government plans, the dam would supply drinking water to drought-prone areas of Gujarat, particularly regions such as Kutch and Saurashtra.
• The project was also designed to irrigate large areas of agricultural land in Gujarat and Rajasthan, improving agricultural productivity.
• Supporters of the project argued that it would contribute to economic development, improved water supply and electricity generation.
• However, critics including activists of the Narmada Bachao Andolan pointed out that the project would displace thousands of families and submerge villages, forests and farmland.

5.2 Debates and struggles

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan created intense national and international debates about the social and environmental impact of large development projects.
• Activists such as Medha Patkar organised peaceful protests, marches and hunger strikes to draw attention to the displacement of tribal communities and farmers.
• The movement also filed legal petitions in the Supreme Court of India, demanding proper rehabilitation and resettlement for displaced people.
• Environmental groups argued that large dams could cause ecological damage, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity and changes in river ecosystems.
• Supporters of the project, including government authorities and development planners, argued that such dams were necessary for economic development, irrigation and electricity generation.
• The debate highlighted the broader conflict between development goals and environmental protection, raising important questions about sustainable development in India.

6. Lessons from popular movements

• The rise of popular movements in India since the 1970s and 1980s demonstrated that ordinary citizens can influence government policies through collective action and democratic participation.
• These movements showed that democracy in India is not limited to elections, but also includes public protests, social activism and grassroots mobilisation.
• Many movements, such as the Chipko Movement (1973), Dalit Panthers (1972), Bharatiya Kisan Union protests during the 1980s and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985 onwards), helped bring important issues into national political debate.
• Popular movements often highlighted the concerns of marginalised groups such as farmers, tribal communities, Dalits, women and the poor, who were sometimes ignored by mainstream political parties.
• These movements also demonstrated the importance of civil society organisations, voluntary groups and social activists in strengthening democratic participation.
• At the same time, popular movements faced challenges such as limited resources, internal disagreements and difficulties in sustaining long-term mobilisation.
• Overall, these movements played an important role in deepening democracy in India by increasing political awareness and encouraging citizens to demand accountability from the government.

7. Movement for Right to Information

• The Right to Information (RTI) Movement emerged during the 1990s as a campaign demanding greater transparency and accountability in government functioning.
• One of the key organisations leading the movement was the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), founded in 1990 in Rajasthan by activists such as Aruna Roy (born 1946), Nikhil Dey and Shankar Singh.
• The movement began in rural areas of Rajasthan, where villagers demanded access to government records related to public works programmes and development funds.
• Activists organised public hearings called “Jan Sunwai”, where government documents were publicly examined to expose corruption and misuse of public funds.
• The movement gradually spread across the country and gained support from civil society groups, journalists and social activists who demanded legal recognition of the right to information.
• As a result of sustained activism, the Government of India passed the Right to Information Act in 2005, which gave citizens the legal right to access information from public authorities.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 provides an important understanding of how popular movements strengthen democracy by giving citizens the opportunity to raise important issues outside electoral politics. Studying NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 helps students understand how civil society organisations and social activists influence government policies and public debates.

A detailed study of NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 also highlights the role of movements such as the Chipko Movement (1973), Dalit Panthers movement (1972), Bharatiya Kisan Union protests during the 1980s and the Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985) in shaping public policy and democratic participation. Understanding NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 is important for CBSE board exams and competitive exams such as UPSC and BPSC, where questions related to social movements and civil society frequently appear.

Continue reading NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 8 – Regional Aspirations to understand how regional identities, linguistic demands and political movements in areas such as Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East influenced Indian politics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 about?
NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 explains the rise of popular movements in India after the 1970s, including environmental, farmers’ and social justice movements.

Q2. Why is NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 important for exams?
NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 is important because it explains movements such as the Chipko Movement, Dalit Panthers and Narmada Bachao Andolan, which are frequently asked in CBSE and competitive exams like UPSC and BPSC.

Q3. What was the Chipko Movement mentioned in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7?
The Chipko Movement began in 1973 in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, where villagers protected forests by hugging trees to prevent commercial logging.

Q4. What was the Dalit Panthers movement discussed in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7?
The Dalit Panthers movement was founded in 1972 in Maharashtra by Namdeo Dhasal and J. V. Pawar to fight against caste discrimination and social injustice.

Q5. What is the Narmada Bachao Andolan mentioned in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7?
The Narmada Bachao Andolan began in 1985 and was led by Medha Patkar, protesting against the displacement of people due to large dam projects on the Narmada River, especially the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

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