A social movement is a mass movement and a collective attempt of people to bring about a change or to resist any change. In the 21^st century, India, Industrialisation, and urbanisation technological advancements, and ongoing democratization have allowed people to push for change collectively, and question the legitimacy of the existing order. Social movements can be defined as collective challenges based on common purposes.

The emancipation of women, the spread of mass education, the removal of untouchability, the equality of opportunity for both the sexes and the growth of secularism are some examples of cultural drift which have led to the emergence of social movements today.

Changing society is, to some extent, disorganized because changes in different parts of society do not take place simultaneously. One part changes more rapidly than the other, thereby producing numerous lags. When there is an absence of social justice and a threat to the environmental system, social movements emerge.

For example, 

Meira Paibi struggle in Manipur was for the safety and well-being of their community. They have shifted their focus from anti-alcoholism to human rights. Women played a major role in this movement. Meria Paibi led a boycott of elections and used relay hunger strikes as means to fight for their rights. Irom Sharmila had been on hunger strike for nearly 16 years.