Women’s power in movements
Rising prices hit the housewife first, and if village water dries up women walk far. That is why women came forward in many movements.
When women organise and raise their own or society’s problems it is called a display of woman power. Movements against price rise, deforestation and alcohol are examples.
Key idea 1 : Rolling pin march (1972) — As Diwali came near, oil, ghee, rava and maida became scarce and kerosene became costly. Under the leadership of socialist leader Mrinal Gore women of Mumbai took out a march with rolling pins; it became known as the ‘laatne morcha’.
Key idea 2 : Chipko movement (1973) — Forests at the foot of the Himalayas were to be cut for commerce. Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna started a movement. Women saved trees by embracing them, hence the name ‘Chipko’. Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi and Bachni Devi created awareness among women.
Key idea 3 : Anti-liquor movement (1992) — In 1992 a movement against liquor started in Andhra Pradesh. When the earning man of a house dies early because of liquor, the family and especially women face a great crisis. Women of Dubuganta village in Nellore district closed the liquor shops of the village and the movement spread to other States too.
- Easy : Who led the rolling pin march? — Mrinal Gore.
- Medium : What does Chipko mean? — Embracing the tree.
- Exam-type : In which State did the anti-liquor movement start? — Andhra Pradesh (1992).
In the figure: Some important movements.
What happened before the rolling pin march? In 1972 on 6 August the Bharatiya Mahila Federation called a meeting of women of all parties in Mumbai. On 13 September 1972 representatives of about 70 women’s organisations came together and formed the “Anti-Price Rise Women’s United Front”; Mrinal Gore was its president.
What happened after the rolling pin march? The movement went on after this. On 17 January 1973 about 30 women gheraoed the agriculture minister for more than four hours and demanded lower prices. The media hailed the movement as “the new women’s movement”.
What happened before the Chipko movement? In 1964 Gandhian worker Chandi Prasad Bhatt set up the Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh at Gopeshwar in Chamoli district; its aim was to run small village industries using forest resources. On 24 April 1973 near Mandal village villagers beat drums and did not let contractors of a sports goods company cut 14 ash trees.
What happened after the Chipko movement? On 26 March 1974 when the men were away from Reni village, woodcutters set out for the forest; Gaura Devi took the village women and did not let them go into the forest. In 1980 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced a 15-year ban on commercial felling in the Himalayan forests.
1972 rolling pin; 1973 Chipko; 1992 anti-liquor.
The start of Chipko and the Reni incident are not the same; Mandal 1973, Reni 1974.
Memory clue: 72 rolling pin; 73 tree; 92 bottle. Memory clue: “rolling pin, tree, bottle”.
Spot the difference
| Movement | Cause | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling pin march | Price rise | Pressure on government |
| Chipko | Deforestation | Felling ban in 1980 |
| Anti-liquor | Harm of liquor | Shops closed |
Practice questions
- 1Why was the rolling pin march held?
- 2Who were the leaders of the Chipko movement? Write two names.
- 3How did the name Chipko come about?
- 4Where did the anti-liquor movement start?
- 5What happened before and after the Chipko movement?
- 6What happened after the rolling pin march?
- 7Explain why women take the lead in movements.
- 8Prepare a table comparing three movements.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Against price rise and to protest scarcity of goods.
- 2Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna.
- 3Because women saved trees by embracing (clinging to) them.
- 4In Andhra Pradesh (1992).
- 5Before: the 1964 Dasholi society and the 1973 Mandal incident; after: the 1974 Reni incident and the 1980 felling ban.
- 6In January 1973 women gheraoed the agriculture minister.
- 7Because price rise, water and liquor affect the home and women directly.
- 8Rolling pin = prices; Chipko = forest; anti-liquor = addiction.
International Women’s Year and women’s organisations
To solve school problems there is a committee of class representatives. In the same way committees and organisations came up to raise women’s issues.
The International Women’s Year means the year 1975 declared for women by the United Nations. Its three themes were peace, development and equality of men and women.
Key idea 1 : The 1975 Women’s Year and the committee — In 1975 the Government of India appointed the ‘Committee on the Status of Women’ under Dr Phulrenu Guha. The committee studied in detail women’s social position, education, work and wages, sex ratio and constitutional provisions. In 1977 the United Nations declared 8 March as International Women’s Day.
Key idea 2 : Women’s organisations in Maharashtra — In 1975 the Stree-mukti Sangharsh Samiti held a State-wide conference and in 1978 published its manifesto; it adopted the policy of struggle against discrimination on the basis of gender, caste and varna. From it came the song collection ‘Streemuktichi Lalkari’, the street play ‘Mulgi Jhaali Ho’ and the periodical ‘Prerak Lalkari’. In 1977 Soudamini Rao founded the Streemukti Andolan Samiti in Pune.
Key idea 3 : National organisations and research — In 1976 Pramila Dandavate founded the Mahila Dakshata Samiti in Delhi; its branches came up in many States. In 1980 the All India Democratic Women’s Association was founded and it struggled against dowry, female foeticide and domestic violence. Women’s Studies Centres were started at SNDT Women’s University Mumbai, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Pune University and Shivaji University.
- Easy : Which committee was set up in 1975? — The Committee on the Status of Women.
- Medium : Who chaired this committee? — Dr Phulrenu Guha.
- Exam-type : Who founded the Mahila Dakshata Samiti and where? — Pramila Dandavate, in Delhi (1976).
In the figure: Important years in the women’s movement.
As per the textbook the number of women per thousand men was 946 in 1951, 941 in 1961, 930 in 1971, 934 in 1981, 927 in 1991 and 933 in 2001. (the book wrongly prints ‘1661’ for 1961; check with the book)
Women’s Year 1975; Women’s Day 1977 (8 March).
Women’s Day was not declared on 8 March 1975; the UN declared it in 1977.
Memory clue: 75-76-77-80 = year-samiti-day-organisation. Memory clue: “75 the year, 77 the day”.
Spot the difference
| Body/Event | Year | Person |
|---|---|---|
| Committee on Status of Women | 1975 | Dr Phulrenu Guha |
| Mahila Dakshata Samiti | 1976 | Pramila Dandavate |
| Streemukti Andolan Samiti, Pune | 1977 | Soudamini Rao |
Practice questions
- 1Which was the International Women’s Year and what were its three themes?
- 2Who was the chairperson of the Committee on the Status of Women?
- 3Which day is observed on 8 March?
- 4What policy did the Stree-mukti Sangharsh Samiti adopt?
- 5Who founded the Mahila Dakshata Samiti?
- 6Why were Women’s Studies Centres started?
- 7Find and write the reasons for the declining sex ratio.
- 8Write the chronology of five important events of the women’s movement.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 11975; peace, development and equality of men and women.
- 2Dr Phulrenu Guha.
- 3International Women’s Day.
- 4Struggle against discrimination on the basis of gender, caste and varna.
- 5Pramila Dandavate (1976, in Delhi).
- 6For research and critical study of women’s issues.
- 7Son-daughter discrimination, female foeticide, lack of health care (student’s view).
- 81975 year; 1976 Dakshata Samiti; 1977 Women’s Day; 1978 manifesto; 1980 Janavadi Mahila Sanghatana.
Laws and rights for women
School rules keep everyone safe. In the same way laws were made for women’s rights and safety.
A law is a rule made by the government that everyone must follow. The Constitution of India accepted equality of men and women and gave women the right to vote.
Key idea 1 : Family and dowry laws — As per the textbook the 1952 law recognised women’s right to alimony and a share in the father’s property, polygamy became illegal and women got the right to sue for divorce. The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 made giving and taking dowry a cognizable offence; the Maternity Benefit Act also came in 1961. In 1984 the Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act came and family courts were established.
Key idea 2 : Shah Bano case, sati and human rights — In the Shah Bano case (1985) the Supreme Court recognised the right to alimony; some religious organisations protested and then Parliament made a new law on the subject. After an incident in Rajasthan in 1987 the Sati (Prevention) Act came in 1988 with strict provisions. In 1993 the Protection of Human Rights Act and the National Human Rights Commission came.
Key idea 3 : Reservation in local self-government — As per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments one-third of the seats in gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, zilla parishads, municipalities and municipal corporations, and the posts of sarpanch, chairman and mayor are reserved for women. As per the textbook Maharashtra and 15 other States have reserved 50% seats.
- Easy : When was the Dowry Prohibition Act? — 1961 (amendment 1984).
- Medium : How much reservation for women in local bodies? — One-third (50% in Maharashtra).
- Exam-type : When were family courts? — In 1984.
In the figure: Timeline of laws.
As per the textbook dowry deaths were recorded in rising numbers: 2209 in 1988, 4835 in 1990 and 5377 in 1993. (check with the book)
The textbook gives the law of 1952; other sources say the major reforms of Hindu personal law generally came in 1955-56. (check with the book; use the book’s year for exams)
Dowry 1961-1984; family court 1984; sati 1988; human rights 1993.
One-third reservation is for local self-government bodies, not Parliament.
Memory clue: 61-84-88-93 = dowry-family-sati-rights. Memory clue: “dowry, home, flame, rights”.
Spot the difference
| Law/Decision | Year | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Dowry Prohibition Act | 1961 | Giving-taking dowry an offence |
| Family courts | 1984 | Settle family disputes amicably |
| Protection of Human Rights Act | 1993 | Protection from injustice |
Practice questions
- 1What did the Dowry Prohibition Act change?
- 2For which disputes are family courts?
- 3In which year did the Sati (Prevention) Act come?
- 4Which commission was formed by the Protection of Human Rights Act?
- 5State the provision for women in the 73rd and 74th amendments.
- 6Why might dowry deaths have continued despite the law?
- 7Explain the benefit of reservation for women in local bodies.
- 8Make a chronological table of four laws for women.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Giving and taking dowry became a cognizable offence.
- 2Marriage and domestic disputes, alimony, custody of children, ownership etc.
- 3In 1988.
- 4The National Human Rights Commission.
- 5One-third seats and the posts of sarpanch, chairman and mayor reserved.
- 6Because the law was not followed enough and social mentality had not changed.
- 7Women get participation in decision-making and confidence in society.
- 81961 Dowry Act; 1984 amendment/family courts; 1988 Sati Act; 1993 Human Rights Act.
Weaker sections: SC, ST, nomadic tribes and minorities
So that all can start a race from one line, those who are behind need a little extra help. In the same way the Constitution gave special protection to some groups.
Groups left behind in education, income and social status are called weaker sections. The Constitution has special provisions for their development.
Key idea 1 : Scheduled Castes — After independence the Constitution accepted the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and social justice. Accordingly untouchability was banned by law; Article 17 of the Constitution abolished untouchability and this class was included in the Scheduled Castes. Because of educational and social backwardness they got reservation in education and jobs.
Key idea 2 : Scheduled Tribes — Adivasis live in remote areas, their farms are small and on hill slopes so income is low; diet is insufficient and medical service is far. So they need special protection. The Constitution includes them in the Scheduled Tribes and they get representation in law boards, education and government service.
Key idea 3 : Nomadic and de-notified tribes and minorities — Castes and tribes that move for a livelihood are counted as nomadic. The British in the law of 1871 declared some of their groups as criminal tribes and banned their movements. This unjust law was repealed after independence and they came under de-notified tribes. The Constitution gives minorities rights to protect their language and culture and to set up separate educational institutions.
- Easy : Which article abolished untouchability? — Article 17.
- Medium : The British criminal tribes law was of which year? — 1871.
- Exam-type : What rights do minorities have? — To protect language-culture and set up educational institutions.
In the figure: Four kinds of groups.
As per the textbook, in the law of 1871 the British declared some nomadic groups as criminal tribes and banned their occupations and movements; this law was repealed after independence. (check with the book)
Untouchability = Article 17; criminal tribes = 1871; de-notified = after independence.
Reservation is not only in jobs; as per the textbook it is in education too.
Memory clue: SC-ST-NT-M = four groups. Memory clue: “four groups, four helping hands”.
Spot the difference
| Group | Main provision | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes | Ban on untouchability, reservation | Article 17 |
| Scheduled Tribes | Representation, special protection | Education, service |
| Minorities | Protect language and culture | Separate educational institutions |
Practice questions
- 1What are weaker sections?
- 2Which article abolished untouchability?
- 3Why do Adivasis need special protection?
- 4When was the criminal tribes law made and when was it repealed?
- 5Who are minorities?
- 6What rights did the Constitution give minorities?
- 7Explain why reservation was given to Scheduled Castes.
- 8List the constitutional provisions for women and weaker sections.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Groups left behind in education, income and social status.
- 2Article 17.
- 3Because of remote areas, small hillside farms, malnutrition and lack of medical service.
- 4Made in 1871; repealed after independence.
- 5A group of people of a particular religion, language or race who are few in number.
- 6Right to protect language and culture and to set up separate educational institutions.
- 7So that they get equal opportunity for development despite educational and social backwardness.
- 8Right to vote; equality; ban on sati-dowry; local reservation; ban on untouchability; minority rights.