Question

“Niyamgiri Hills is home to Dongria Kondh, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, who had unanimously voted against a project by state government-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Sterlite Industries which wanted to mine bauxite. The villages‟ decision followed a landmark Supreme Court verdict on April 18, 2013, that vindicated the decade-long movement. The court said forest clearance for the mining project, which had been withdrawn by the Environment Ministry in 2010, could be given only after taking the consent of the gram sabhas, or village councils, in the region in tandem with the Forest Right Act (FRA).”

Based on the given passage, answer the following questions.

1. What is a social movement?
2. Based on your reading of the passage, identify the issues that the social movement addresses.
3. Would you classify this social movement as old or new? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

1. Sustained collective action, with shared ideology and goals, with some degree organization, to demand changes in state policy.
2. Identity and cultural practices of tribals; ecological issues.
3. New Combination of class and quality of life issues, not localized and not within the frame of political parties.