EDITORIALS & ARTICLES

Highlight the importance of new objective that got added to the vision of Indian independence since the twenties of the last century. (UPSC IAS Mains 2017 General Studies Paper – 1)

The history of the Indian National Movement can be divided into three important phases:

  • 1885-1905: The phase of moderate nationalism when the Congress continued to be loyal to the British crown.
  • 1906-1916: Rise of Swadeshi Movement, militant nationalism and the Home Rule Movement.
  • 1917-1947: The Gandhian era.

The new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence in the twenties of the last century include:

  • Social and Economic Justice: Aiming to address issues like poverty, inequality, and discrimination, this objective sought to create a more equitable society by providing equal opportunities and rights for all citizens.
  • Communal Harmony: Recognizing the need for unity among diverse religious and ethnic communities, the importance of promoting communal harmony became central to the independence movement.
  • Women’s Empowerment: The vision for Indian Independence expanded to include women’s rights and gender equality, with women participating in various capacities and challenging traditional gender roles.
  • Secularism: Emphasizing secularism as a fundamental principle, the vision aimed to ensure that India would be an inclusive and pluralistic nation, accommodating its diverse religious and cultural traditions.
  • Democratic Governance: The vision evolved to include the establishment of a democratic system of governance, allowing citizens to participate in the decision-making process and fostering accountability and transparency.
  • Self-Reliance and Economic Independence: This objective aimed to break free from the colonial economic system and develop a self-sufficient economy, reducing dependence on foreign resources.

These new objectives had significance as evidenced by the following:

  1. All these inclusive movements inform constituent assembly debates and led to the formation of one of the most inclusive constitutions of that time.
  2. Women got the universal right to vote from start itself
  3. SC and ST got constitutional safeguards against untouchability and also got the promise of affirmative action in articles 15, 16 and 46
  4. Farmers got the promise of self-rule in form of panchayats (Article 40), cottage industries (article 43) and animal husbandry along modern and scientific lines (article 48)
  5. Articles 38, 39 and 43 ensure a socialistic pattern of society and secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers
  6. Formation of linguistic states in 1956

 Thus new forces added colours to the polyphony of the Indian national movement and enriched times to come with their diverse and universal concerns.







POSTED ON 13-12-2023 BY ADMIN
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