Q-15 | Paper 2

 Qn 15. Are the pressure groups in India in a position to fully protect or promote the interests of their members? (2015/II/Q.1c/10m)

Pressure groups are a manifestation of group behaviour. In India, as per the context, motive and opportunity, various pressure groups operate.

Pressure groups are forms of organisations, which exert pressure on the political or administrative system of a country to extract benefits out of it and to advance their own interests. These are political actors and sometimes also referred to as civil society organisations, interest groups or catalytic groups.

Genesis of pressure groups: Pressure groups have been in existence in different forms ever since governmental machinery assumed both welfare role and discretionary authority. They took more concrete form in the wake of the industrial revolution and market-oriented economies. In India, pressure groups germinate and function as per their context.

Types and operations of pressure groups in India are mainly:

1. Business groups: most prominent, organised, resource-backed and effective groups in India and exert varied kinds of pressures — trying to influence planning, licensing bodies and economic ministries. Businesspersons are present in legislatures; every ministry has some business representation or committee; even before making budget, the finance ministry takes inputs from them. e.g. Confederation of Indian Industry, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, All India Manufacturer’s Organisation, All India Exporters’ Organisation etc.;
2. Trade unions: were present prior independence and have developed since. Communist movement fuelled their growth. When required they can be strongly vocal and militant in their actions. They often have links with political parties. They are well recognised and exert significant pressure in policy formulation. Through strikes and demonstrations, they have been able to achieve changes in wage structure etc. Encourage class consciousness and solidarity among workers. Were active when PSU disinvestments were done. Despite ideological differences, internal splits, external pressures, lack of international backing etc., they remain strong. e.g. AITUC, INTUC, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, United Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Parishad, All India Bank Employee Association, Centre of Indian Trade Union, National Federation etc.;
3. Professional groups function in a similar way. e.g. Bar Council of India, Dental Council of India, Association of Engineers etc.
4. Agrarian or peasant organisations flourished after the abolition of Zamindari System and implementation of Panchayati Raj, land reform measures and Green Revolution. Mainly organised on territorial basis. Many are linked with parties, while some remain non-political. Their demands relate to procurement prices of agricultural products, fertiliser subsidy, tenancy rights, electricity charges, etc. They have been substantially successful. e.g. All India Kisan Sabha (1936), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Hind Kisan Panchayat, United Kisan Sabha etc.;
5. Student associations: acted both pre- and post-independence. Many are affiliated with political parties. They try to pressurise governmental policy on various crucial issues. They are a major force of social mobilisation and change. e.g. All Bengal Students Association (1928), All India Students Federation (1936), JNU Students’ Union, All India Students' Association, National Students’ Union of India, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Youth Congress, Janata Yuva Morcha, All Assam Students’ Union etc. Similarly, India also has teachers' associations.;
6. Women organisations work for emancipation, upliftment and empowerment of women. They have influenced government actions and are becoming increasingly influential in modern times. Anti-Dowry Council, Women Welfare Sabhas, Nari Sudhar Sabhas, Mahila Mandals, Women Liberation Organisations etc.;
7. Caste groups are most politically significant as India has immense social stratifications. They spur debates, articulate specific interests and influence legislations. Major determinants of electoral and voting behaviour. e.g. Scheduled Castes Federations, Jat Sabha, Aggarwal Sabha, Gujjar Sabha, Vanniyakul Kshatriya Sangam, Marwari Association, Harijan Sevak Sangh etc.
8. Religious groups garner massive legitimacy in India as religious sentiments are intense. Also, traditionally multi-religious India has many groups. Majority-religion groups have ridden elections to power. Minority groups enjoy protections under the Constitution. Many parties in power also resort to minority appeasement. Shiv Sena, RSS, Arya Samaj, Jamaat-e-Islami, Brahmin Sabha, Parsi Association, Anglo- Indian Christian Association, Chief Khalsa Diwan etc.;
9. Linguistic groups seek recognition, language development, protection and other benefits in governance. Many groups were behind the formations of states on lingual basis. Tamil Sangh, Anjuman Urdu Taraqqi, Hindi Protection Parishad, Punjabi Sahit Sabhas, Sahitya Sammelan etc.
10. 10.Tribal-regional groups pursue their specific interests. e.g. United Mizo Federal Organisation, Tribal Sangh of Assam, Naga National Council, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, National Social Council of Nagaland, Tribal National Volunteers etc.;
11. 11.Anomic pressure groups – are formed spontaneously, through riots, demonstrations, assassinations etc. Depending on the cause, some of them flourish. They have been significant for administrative and law-&-order agencies. They emerge & dissolve as per circumstances or for a specific purpose. e.g. anti-dowry and anti-sati groups, Naxalite groups, United Liberation Front of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front etc.;
12. 12.Ideology-based groups occupy political space, as per their magnitude and cause. e.g. Chipko movement; Narmada Bachao movement, Gandhi Peace Foundation etc.

Features of Indian pressure groups:

• interest-based;
• Lack alignment with any single party;
• Use party platform to articulate and fulfil interests;
• presence of political party sponsored pressure groups (e.g. Congress-Youth Congress, BJP-ABVP etc.;
• Resulting out of increasing competition for resources;
• Employ both traditional methods (caste and religious solidarities) and modern means (lobbying, using government machinery);
• check on politics (e.g. regarding MRPT Act or land reforms);
• Transient (e.g. anti-sati, anti-dowry groups etc.);
• Use direct action (e.g. bandh, strikes, fasts, chakka-jams, gheraos etc.);
• shift from negative to positive (e.g. from preventing nationalization to participating in law-making).

Functioning of pressure groups in India: In general, their influence is growing. These groups not only act as interest articulators but also as educators of public opinion. Mass media, internet and growing awareness and affluence among youth help them garner support. Negative aspect:

• are organised around religious, ethnic or regional interests,
• do not have autonomous existence,
• are unsustainable, unstable, short-lived and lack resources and commitment
• shift loyalties with political situations,
• resort to unconstitutional means (e.g. Naxalite movement)
• influence policy implementation rather than formulation
• politicise trivial issues, hampering socio-economic development etc. These not only waste resources and opportunities, but also divert attention from critical issues.

Considering India’s complex profile, pressure groups remain integral. They have protected their respective interests but to varying degrees. As most modern political parties adopt catch-all strategies, it reduces the chance of groups being neglected. Need is to sort and prioritise issues which would ensure healthy and balanced development.