ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the phenomenon of civil society intervention in Indian politics. With the advance of globalization, the theory and practice of democracy has undergone certain transformation, particularly in the countries of the Third World. The important objectives of civil society movements in India are to fight against corruption and to confront human rights violations, besides addressing issues of poverty, disease, illiteracy, homelessness and environmental degradation, which continue to stalk the lives of millions of citizens. The social and political landscape of the country being divided along various lines, devising a model wherein all such interventions with popular participation can be included is not an easy task. Although a developing country with a strong presence of political parties, the people of India were not adequately aware about their rights. Most civil society movements in India were concerned with human rights violations until the Anna Hazare movement took the initiative against corruption.
