Indian Movements Some Aspects of Dissent Protest and Reform

Preface THE idea of an unchanging tradition directed Indian society over the last 2,000 years is an inaccurate statement. It is clear that significant redefinitions of sociocultural objectives with instrumental action have taken place by groups and individuals, that various movements of dissent, protest and reform have made a significant contribution to India's traditions and civilization. The absorbing of new ideas, values and technology, both indigenous and borrowed, has also been part of Indian tradition.

Thus, there has seldom been ever any explicit central organization, authority or singular dominating tradition. Then, it is also apparent that the harmonic view of Indian society is not true. Nowadays attempts are being made at all levels to impose such a view which is inherently dangerous as it amounts to a dictatorship, politically speaking. Historically, it has been shown that even centralized empires were short-lived compared to regional kingdoms. The conflict between centripetal and centrifugal forces has always been going on. It is well to remember that this diversity is essential considering that this South Asian region is as big as Europe. The essential feature of India is its diversity, its inclusiveness. Indian civilization has undergone disharmonic-disequilibrium states, due to conflicts within the system at various levels - ideological, sociocultural and politico-economic. In other words, there are several traditions of models of society which have coexisted. Therefore, in general, it is difficult to identify the values and norms of something typically singularly Indian.

**Contents and Sample Pages**