For social movements, the justice system is but one avenue in a constant battle shaping human rights

This is a lightly edited excerpt from the first Professor MN Karna Memorial Lecture that was delivered in Patna on April 7, 2024. Late Prof MN Karna (1942-2023) was a sociologist who closely worked with various social movements on the issues of land, democratic rights and secularism.

Civil society groups have either emerged from or have been principal supporters to social movements, as we saw during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests and the protests by farmers against the proposed farm laws a couple of years ago. They have been involved in mobilising, organising and educating various interest groups to articulate their concerns in the public domain, helping them to engage with institutions and those in power.

Whether it is a gathering of the Narmada dam oustees spearheaded by the Narmada Bachao Andolan, or the groups of Bhopal gas victims, they have been a force to reckon with politically. These mass movements have perhaps contributed in no small measure to law and policy making in both the international and national spheres.

In the last four decades, there has been a persistent groundswell of mass movements and civil society campaigns around recognition, protection and enforcement of a range of economic, social and cultural rights.

This has contributed in large...

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