Wrestlers’ protest and the shrinking space for dissent

Source– The post is based on the article “Wrestlers’ protest and the shrinking space for dissent” published in “The Hindu” on 13th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Pressure Groups and Formal/Informal Associations and their Role in the Polity.

Relevance– Issues related to social movements

News – Wrestlers protested for more than one month over the issues of sexual harassment by WFI President. It was recently called off after a meeting of protestors with union minister.

How Public protests have been a catalyst for social and policy change in India?

It has allowed individuals, classes and communities to voice their grievances and advocate for their rights.

Protests had opened space for a new era of social activism when the United Progressive Alliance government was in power.

What is the support base of current wrestler protest?

The protest has found some support from civil society, especially organisations representing workers, farmers, women, students, and youth. But it is very small when compared to other protests under this regime or previous ones.

These protests have failed to garner significant support from the middle classes and women’s groups.

The Indian women’s movement has had a long history of organising around sexual violence against women. They have in the past organised direct action on the streets.

But this time, except for Left groups and the All-India Democratic Women’s Association, women’s groups have been largely missing in action.

In the Nirbhaya case, mobilisation included civil society that included men. It is absent this time.

What is the nature of social activism by the middle class?

The active participation of the middle classes in the Anna Hazare Andolan and Nirbhaya protests led to social activism by this class.

The urban middle class favours neoliberalism. It has benefited from the opportunities available to it from the neo-liberal economy in the past three decades.

Middle-class expansion has occurred since economic reforms through the private sector boom powered by economic liberalisation.

This class supported ‘India Shining’, Manmohan Singh. It turned against the UPA when it introduced rights-based legislations and other broad-based social policies.

Their shifting political loyalties reflect an ideological consistency. The middle-class opposition to the UPA played a crucial role in discrediting it. Now, these classes strongly back the current dispensation even on issues of sexual violence.

Middle-class activism tends to prioritise the issues and concerns that directly impact them. It overlooks the needs and struggles of the disadvantaged classes and communities.

What can be the impacts of social activism by the middle class?

The attitude of the middle class perpetuates inequalities and hinders efforts to address broader social issues.

It can result in a narrow understanding of social reality and marginalised voices. There is a sense of suspicion towards mass politics and egalitarian ideas and movements.

This tendency contributes to inactivity among the middle classes and even among the oppressed classes. It is emblematic of society’s normalisation of patriarchy and sexual harassment.