We often come across with the term ‘social activism’ or ‘social activist’. What does social activism entail? As the word itself indicates, social activist is a person whose main concern is society. A social activist fights for many issues such as child labor, universal right to education and child abuse etc. A social activist essentially engages in advocacy, confronting the dynamic social challenges through constitutional means. But for successful advocacy or social activism a lot will depend on the socio-political environment within which a social activist must operate.
Activism literally means an effort or action with the intention to address issues and basic demands for the society under the socio-political system. It primarily involves advocacy of an activist which enhances the functionality mechanism so that the activist would advocate much beyond his/her services. In contrast to a volunteer he is by far helping poor by supplying basic essentials to meet their demands during any contingency. But social activist has divergent areas to perform in the same domain. They both are not at par in approaches and roles. So activist plays an efficient and unparalleled role in bringing about social change while articulating genuine demands for social and political development.
In addition, a social activist also aims at fighting against all kinds of social disparities in the society with actual realization and understanding in compliance with the social principles and norms. He maneuvers to address social issues on a wide platform covering wide range of issues which ultimately compels the government to pay attention. However, his role lies in the diversified system to serve the society on humanitarian grounds.
He should have adequate understanding of social and political system of a state so that he could plausibly work for redressal of issues. Those who are quite familiar with the existing social and political system of a state could play a significant role in this field. Activist lives with the sprit, love for the people without interfering in belief, religion, caste and creed. In fact, he has to be moderate and rational to articulate genuine concerns. Acknowledging and representing of issues is the main valuable character of an activist. Such issues are very difficult for the common people to represent in order to get them resolved. Therefore, social activist could help people more professionally.
A social activist is likely to be a good professional with a profound knowledge regarding various issues of society. He can be Lawyer, Sociologist, Anthropologist etc and should be mindful of the detrimental fallout of Racism, Untouchability, Casteism, and Marginalization. He works for the development of society with a better and clear articulation of the issues and their representations to the government. His intention is to awaken the government to start necessary development initiatives in all walks of society which are fundamental to the prosperity of the society.
Mudasir Ali
The Author is MSc from Kashmir University
Contact: [email protected]
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