September 2002
Citizens Action Groups in India, Broadening Democracy
Throughout the subcontinent, there is an intense desire for social progress. How can this come about? We present three views on the subject of social change: one which sees all the mainstream political parties as having failed, and takes note of the positive contributions of NGOs; another that is critical of the NGO mindset - which seeks to ameliorate immediate problems in a small way, with little regard for bringing about lasting and meaningful social change; and finally, a Marxist perspective on social change.
Avenues for Social Change
In the last decade, only a few political parties in India have been at the cutting edge of social change. While the major political parties are widely seen as being beholden to the interests of various categories of urban or rural elites, the pressures of electoral politics have led many of the smaller parties to become mere appendages of the larger, and more dominant political parties. Bureaucratic internal structures and a general retreat from close and continuous interaction with the masses has also had a negative effect.
Most political parties in India have preferred to represent either already entrenched vested interests, or speak for emerging interests from a sectarian, and essentially conservative platform. Few have tried to honestly represent the most disenfranchised. Even parties that claim to be the leading agents of social progress have generally adopted extremely opportunistic strategies. Rather than risk alienating their existing social base (so as to bring about sorely needed changes in Indian society), they have at best, only resisted potentially regressive changes.
Although the frequently-baited BSP, has been somewhat successful in articulating some of the aspirations of Northern India's Dalit communities, it too has been unable to project a vision that extends beyond a few (and mostly) symbolic gains for the Bahujan Samaj it wishes to represent. On issues of broad national and international concern, the BSP has been unable to distinguish itself from other political parties.
In fact, some of the tasks for social renewal and progress have had to be performed by by lesser known political parties, or by NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) . While many NGOs are nothing more than tax dodges, or means to divert public funds into the private pockets of the the unscrupulous, and/or politically well-connected, the best of the NGOs have achieved some important victories for the people of India. While it is often true that many of these NGOs might be very narrowly focused, (or that their political perspectives might be somewhat limited in some cases), or even that their views on certain political questions might be somewhat idealistic (or faulty), their work has often been of crucial import in the last decade.
In rural areas, these NGOs have often complemented the work of government agencies - filling in the gaps where necessary. In other cases, they have helped monitor (and hence improve) the functioning of local government bodies. They have also played a part in the rehabilitation of victims of natural disasters or communal riots. But most importantly, they have struggled to raise public awareness and consciousness on issues where no one else was paying any attention by taking up neglected or unpopular causes. Such NGOs have played a vanguard role in championing the necessity of clean air and water. It is largely due to the work of such dedicated NGOs (and some small political parties) that the Supreme Court has passed new injunctions against air and water pollution, banned smoking in public places, or correctly brought attention to violations of urban noise ordinances.
Some NGOs have also played a key role in fighting gender-based and other forms of social discrimination - such as AIDS patients or those involved in same-gender marriages. Since the major political parties have been exceedingly wary of representing those whose sexual orientation or inclination does not fit with the standard social norms, such as those who fall in love with someone of the same gender, (or wish to marry outside their caste or religion), they must necessarily seek support from friendly and supportive NGOs.
In recent times, some useful and interesting work has been performed by NGOs fighting to make public records more readily accessible, and make public undertakings (such as those responsible for electricity, water supply and municipal works) more transparent in their functioning, and more responsible to the public interest.
Such NGOs can play a very valuable and important role as public watchdogs, and if effective, could provide a viable antidote to those who see privatization as the only solution to combat the parasitic and corrupt functioning of public utilities (and other enterprises in the public sector).
Of course, even as some of these NGOs have won important legal victories through effectively framed Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the battle for effective implementation remains. To this extent, public support and backing for such NGOs is essential to ensure that the legal gains translate into real changes in society. Only when the work of such NGOs begins to have a widespread impact - affecting political parties, administrative agencies and public and private corporations will their work translate into real and effective victories. It is important that the good work done by small groups of valiant individuals not go waste.
Although at present such movements are in an embryonic stage, one can only hope that they are able to multiply and expand, and thus broaden and deepen Indian democracy. However, in order to bring about the kind of changes that could improve the lives of the Indian masses on wider and more permanent basis, serious NGOs will have to join hands with India's smaller and more sincere political parties.
As local struggles intensify, dedicated activists in the NGO movement will realize that truly effective change will only come about through alliances with political organizations that have a clear long-term vision and understanding of not only India's political and economic realities, but are also globally aware. The best of India's NGOs must unite with the best of India's political forces in seeking radical social change. Only then will the people of India derive the maximum benefit from all the activism and selfless effort of countless well-intentioned volunteers.
Volunteerism and Social Change
Marxian Theory and Social Change in India
Also see:
Trade Union Rights in Pakistan
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