Intervention by civil society has played a very important role in making governance transparent and accountable. Discuss in context of India.
It is aptly opined that the Media & Civil Society are the fourth pillar of government.
“Civil society is the engine of social change” – Dennis Mcquail
Civil society refers to the non-profit organizations that are independent of government control and work for humanitarian causes. E.g. Amnesty International, PUCL, Bhartiya Adim Janjati Seva Sangathan, etc.
Collaborations:
- NGOs implement schemes through CAPART & also get funding via DARPAN, portal developed by NITI Aayog.
- The Draft Lokpal Bill was made with the help of ‘India Against Corruption’.
- Social Audit in the MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana.
- Citizen’s charter, work culture changes & code of conducts, due to civil society pressure.
- Civil societies are active participants in ‘Jan-Sunwai’ & ‘Praja-Vahinis’.
Interventions via confrontation:
- Fight of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan via Aruna Roy led for RTI Act.
- Medha Patkar in Narmada Bachao Andolan, protected rights of tribals.
- Chipko movement was watershed for environmental action in India.
- Demonstrations, Bandhs, Gheraos and Hartals by civil society force the government to act.
- Fight for tribal rights in Kanha National Parks for the Baigas community by Adim Janjati Sangathan and use of social media.
Way Forward:
“United we stand, Divided we fall” is the mantra for pragmatic collaboration with civil society.