Pressure Groups

Definition: Organized groups promoting and defending common interests by influencing public policy.
Nomenclature: Also called interest groups or vested groups.
Distinction from Political Parties: Do not contest elections or seek political power; focus on specific issues and member interests.
Techniques Employed by Pressure Groups:
- Electioneering: Placing favorable individuals in public office.
- Lobbying: Persuading public officials to adopt beneficial policies.
- Propagandizing: Influencing public opinion for indirect influence on the government.
Methods of Influence: Legal methods like lobbying, correspondence, publicity, petitioning, public debating, and legislator contacts. Illegitimate methods include strikes, violent activities, and corruption.

Pressure Groups in India

Less developed compared to countries like the USA and Britain.
Classification of Pressure Groups:
1. Business Groups: Industrial and commercial bodies; most powerful.
  - Examples:
    - Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
    - Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
    - Federation of All India Foodgrain Dealers Association (FAIFDA)
    - All-India Manufacturers Organisation (AIMO)
2. Trade Unions: Represent industrial workers; associated with political parties.
  - Examples:
    - All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) - affiliated to CPI
    - Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) - affiliated to the Congress
    - Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) - affiliated to the Socialists
    - Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) - affiliated to the CPM
    - Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) - affiliated to the BJP
3. Agrarian Groups: Represent farmers and agricultural laborers.
  - Examples:
    - Bhartiya Kisan Union
    - All India Kisan Sabha
    - Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (Gujarat)
    - Shetkhari Sanghatana (Maharashtra)
    - All-India Kisan Sammelan
    - United Kisan Sabha (controlled by the CPM)
4. Professional Associations: Represent doctors, lawyers, journalists, teachers.
  - Examples:
    - Indian Medical Association (IMA)
    - Bar Council of India (BCI)
    - Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ)
    - All India Federation of University and College Teachers (AIFUCT)
5. Student Organizations: Represent the student community; affiliated with political parties.
  - Examples:
    - Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) - affiliated to BJP
    - All India Students Federation (AISF) - affiliated to CPI
    - National Students Union of India (NSUI) - affiliated to Congress
    - Students Federation of India (SFI) - affiliated to CPM
6. Religious Organizations: Represent communal interests.
  - Examples:
    - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
    - Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
    - Jamaat-e-Islami
    - All-India Conference of Indian Christians
    - Shiromani Akali Dal
7. Caste Groups: Significant in Indian politics due to caste rivalries.
  - Examples:
    - Nadar Caste Association in Tamil Nadu
    - Marwari Association
    - Harijan Sevak Sangh
    - Kshatriya Maha Sabha
    - Kayastha Sabha
8. Tribal Organizations: Active in various states with demands ranging from reforms to secession.
  - Examples:
    - National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)
    - Tribal National Volunteers (TNU) in Tripura
    - People's Liberation Army in Manipur
    - Tribal Sangh of Assam
    - United Mizo Freedom Organisation
9. Linguistic Groups: Influential due to the importance of language in Indian politics.
  - Examples:
    - Tamil Sangam
    - Anjuman Tarraki-i-Urdu
    - Andhra Maha Sabha
    - Hindi Sahitya Sammelan
    - Nagari Pracharani Sabha
    - Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha
10. Ideology Based Groups: Formed to pursue a specific cause, principle, or program.
  - Examples:
    - Environmental protection groups
    - Democratic rights organizations
    - Civil liberties associations
    - Gandhi Peace Foundation
    - Woman rights organizations
11. Anomic Groups: Spontaneous breakthroughs into the political system.
  - Examples:
    - Naxalite Groups
    - Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)
    - United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)
    - Dal Khalsa