A social movement has which of the following features

A. structure and leadership
B. sustained collective action
C. Aim of bringing about changes on a specific issue
D. standard mode of protest with no room for innovation
E. Shared understanding

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

A, B, C, E only

The correct answer is Option (4) → A, B, C, E only

D. Standard mode of protest with no room for innovation: This is incorrect. Social movements often experiment with various forms of protest and adapt their strategies over time.

"A social movement requires sustained collective action (B) over time. Such action is often directed against the state and takes the form of demanding changes in state policy or practice. Spontaneous, disorganised protest cannot be called a social movement either. Collective action must be marked by some degree of organisation. This organisation may include a leadership and a structure (A) that defines how members relate to each other, make decisions and carry them out. Those participating in a social movement also have shared objectives and ideologies. A social movement has a general orientation or way of approaching to bring about (or to prevent) change. These defining features are not constant. They may change over the course of a social movement’s life. Social movements often arise with the aim of bringing about changes on a public issue (C), such as ensuring the right of the tribal population to use the forests or the right of displaced people to settlement and compensation.

Social movement activists hold meetings to mobilise people around the issues that concern them. Such activities help shared understanding (E). And prepare for a feeling of agreement or consensus about how to pursue the collective agenda. Social movements also chart out campaigns that include lobbying with the government, media and other important makers of public opinion. Social movements also develop distinct modes of protest (D is false). This could be candle and torch light processions, use of black cloth, street theatres, songs, poetry. Gandhi adopted novel ways such as ahimsa, satyagraha and his use of the charkha in the freedom movement.