Mass Movements -- An Analysis

Introduction:

Mass movements are not new phenomenon to India. Gandhiji, the Father of Nation, advocated and publicized them while leading India’s struggle for independence. His mass movements like Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience movements gathered large massed of India and paved way for India’s independence. They gathered attention not only of British rulers but of the entire world. Gandhiji advocated non-violence as the tool to these movements.

A mass movement can only be lead by a charismatic or an appealing leader. On some occasions it can be instantiated by an appealing cause even if the leader himself is not appealing. It is not easy to drive these sorts of movements. Fundamentally these sorts of movements are driven by strong conviction on the cause, and thus the cause can motivate some of those involved to deviate from the means. Gandhiji himself faced lots of problems while leading non-cooperation movements and had to call off the movement at its peak when some of the masses resorted to violent means. It is not so easy because more often than not the mass is not homogenous both in composition and composure.

Benefits:

Mass movements are surely a genuine way, if advocated properly, to show the majority public opinion to governing body. It helps public to highlight their preference in cases where government is acting against it. It is a great tool in practice of democracy. These can also be used as a tool to educate people. Raja Rammohan Roy created Brahmasamaj and used it in educating people on popularly established social evils such as child marriages and sati. Mass movements can also be used in spreading a concept. Bhakti movement can be cited as an example where propagation of Bhakthi is done by various leaders. This is a specific case where there is no centralized leadership driving it.

Side effects:
Mass movements are not devoid of disadvantages. Primary pitfall lies in faulty cause/leader. If the selfish motives drive the cause then the advantage is soon lost. The driver steers the mass into some unethical/undue cause leading to chaos. We, the Indians, are fundamentally emotional beings. Even though we rationalize things, if some leader tampers with our emotions, we falter. Some selfish leaders have used them as a means to achieve their personal goals.

In some cases, these are being driven by select people appointed just to make sure the movement gathers mass. Masses, in summary, are not volunteered into the movement but are forced into it by core subsect. They may use gundaism to drive it. Also in most times public life is jeopardized to draw governments’ attention to the cause. Transportation, public services are impacted leading to inconvenience to public. In recent times lots of students and young men are being driven into these movements. Some of them are not fully mature enough to handle their emotions well and thus resort to violent means. This can result in damage to public/private property/people and also impacts their education.
Some cases innocent people who are unable to cope up with emotions are resorting to suicides in support of the cause. These can bring pathos to their families and near and dear.

Conclusion:
As a conclusion mass movements are powerful tools in democracy how ever there are adequate chances for their misuse by corrupt leaders.