GANDHI'S CONCEPT OF SOCIAL ACTION
The ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, have indirectly and directly contributed to the
development of Social Work as a profession and a discipline in India. It is in the panorama of
Gandhian social work, that the true spirit and value alignment of social action lies. Gandhiji made
significant contribution to the world by his revolutionary ideas and concepts such as satyagraha
(truthful force), Sarvodaya (welfare of all) and Shantisena (peace brigade). He has also developed
other key concepts such as trust, non-violence (Ahimsa), ends and means, non-possession,
trusteeship, vows, lifestyle, constructive work, basic education, swadeshi and gram swaraj. Gandhian
social work is basically concerned with the reconstruction of society based on truth and non-violence
and welfare of all the last and the lowliest, the poorest of the poor (Antyodaya). The vulnerable
sections of the society are the worst sufferers in the catastrophic situations such as fires, epidemics,
famine, wars, not to speak about the welfare needs of the disadvantaged sections and the problems
relating to social injustice, economic exploitation, social discrimination, inequality and the related
problems Models of Social Action which are the outcome of the discrepancies in the social system.
The basic objective of Gandhian social work was to locate and address basic causes and conditions
resulting in the problems and human sufferings. Here is the coinciding point of social action and
Gandhian social work as both focus on bringing about social justice and empowering the
downtrodden with sustainable solutions. Both advocate the necessity to bring about fundamental
changes in the institutional framework and the values of the society. Social action aims at collective
effort and involvement of the people directing collective energies towards combating social
problems. Social action of the Gandhian tradition emerges as a class in itself because of its emphasis
on spirituality, purity of means and ends, non-violence as a creed, austerity (limitation of want), and
moral re-armament of people. Constructive thinking, mobilization, organization and action are the
essential ingredients. People’s power remains the basis in all types of social action of this tradition.
This model has following sub-types: Militant non-violent tradition: With non-violence still the base,
this tradition or approach calls for political and revolutionary character of the social action. It aims at
forceful intervention to bring radical changes in the social system. It does not totally rely on peaceful
measures and mere confinement to constructive work done at the grass-roots level and rather it
believes in re-distribution of power and resources through mass mobilization for action. For
example, chipko movement emerged out of the protest against rampant deforestation in the
Himalayan hills caused by indiscriminate deforestation for commercial consumption. Gentle non-
violent tradition: The works done by Vinoba Bhave for satyagraha and village and community
reconstruction are fine examples of gentle nonviolent form of Gandhian social action. Bhu-daan
(donation of land) and gramdaan (donation of villages) for reconstruction of the Gandhian socialist
community formed the vital components of this tradition. Citizenship model of constructive work:
This type of social action concentrates mainly on the grass-root level of social action (citizenship)
through education. It rests on constructive work and believes that necessary changes in the social
system would happen in due course of time. It rejects coming in conflict with the authorities,
protests and boycotts to achieve the desired objective of social change. It prefers consensus (Lok-
sammati), citizenships role (model) and through it visualizes a revolution in thought and method
(Bichar kranti and paddhati kranti). Gandhian approach further maintains that the government
depends upon the people and not vice-versa. All the exploitation is based on cooperation — willing
or forced — of the exploited and therefore there is a need to generate social power, a capacity to
control the resources and power through action by groups of people. In all the three traditions of
Gandhian social action, people’s base is considered primary. While gentle non-violent and citizenship
models concentrate on the solution of social and economic problems, through people building and
action, militant non-violent tradition model also adds political dimensions to them. Social Action for
The ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, have indirectly and directly contributed to the
development of Social Work as a profession and a discipline in India. It is in the panorama of
Gandhian social work, that the true spirit and value alignment of social action lies. Gandhiji made
significant contribution to the world by his revolutionary ideas and concepts such as satyagraha
(truthful force), Sarvodaya (welfare of all) and Shantisena (peace brigade). He has also developed
other key concepts such as trust, non-violence (Ahimsa), ends and means, non-possession,
trusteeship, vows, lifestyle, constructive work, basic education, swadeshi and gram swaraj. Gandhian
social work is basically concerned with the reconstruction of society based on truth and non-violence
and welfare of all the last and the lowliest, the poorest of the poor (Antyodaya). The vulnerable
sections of the society are the worst sufferers in the catastrophic situations such as fires, epidemics,
famine, wars, not to speak about the welfare needs of the disadvantaged sections and the problems
relating to social injustice, economic exploitation, social discrimination, inequality and the related
problems Models of Social Action which are the outcome of the discrepancies in the social system.
The basic objective of Gandhian social work was to locate and address basic causes and conditions
resulting in the problems and human sufferings. Here is the coinciding point of social action and
Gandhian social work as both focus on bringing about social justice and empowering the
downtrodden with sustainable solutions. Both advocate the necessity to bring about fundamental
changes in the institutional framework and the values of the society. Social action aims at collective
effort and involvement of the people directing collective energies towards combating social
problems. Social action of the Gandhian tradition emerges as a class in itself because of its emphasis
on spirituality, purity of means and ends, non-violence as a creed, austerity (limitation of want), and
moral re-armament of people. Constructive thinking, mobilization, organization and action are the
essential ingredients. People’s power remains the basis in all types of social action of this tradition.
This model has following sub-types: Militant non-violent tradition: With non-violence still the base,
this tradition or approach calls for political and revolutionary character of the social action. It aims at
forceful intervention to bring radical changes in the social system. It does not totally rely on peaceful
measures and mere confinement to constructive work done at the grass-roots level and rather it
believes in re-distribution of power and resources through mass mobilization for action. For
example, chipko movement emerged out of the protest against rampant deforestation in the
Himalayan hills caused by indiscriminate deforestation for commercial consumption. Gentle non-
violent tradition: The works done by Vinoba Bhave for satyagraha and village and community
reconstruction are fine examples of gentle nonviolent form of Gandhian social action. Bhu-daan
(donation of land) and gramdaan (donation of villages) for reconstruction of the Gandhian socialist
community formed the vital components of this tradition. Citizenship model of constructive work:
This type of social action concentrates mainly on the grass-root level of social action (citizenship)
through education. It rests on constructive work and believes that necessary changes in the social
system would happen in due course of time. It rejects coming in conflict with the authorities,
protests and boycotts to achieve the desired objective of social change. It prefers consensus (Lok-
sammati), citizenships role (model) and through it visualizes a revolution in thought and method
(Bichar kranti and paddhati kranti). Gandhian approach further maintains that the government
depends upon the people and not vice-versa. All the exploitation is based on cooperation — willing
or forced — of the exploited and therefore there is a need to generate social power, a capacity to
control the resources and power through action by groups of people. In all the three traditions of
Gandhian social action, people’s base is considered primary. While gentle non-violent and citizenship
models concentrate on the solution of social and economic problems, through people building and
action, militant non-violent tradition model also adds political dimensions to them. Social Action for
