A Paradigm Shift in Indian Sociology: Seminal Contributions of Professor Yogendra Singh

Since this is the First Memorial Lecture in honour of Professor Yogendra Singh, the author has briefly reflected on the persona of Singh. Certainly, his outstanding contributions in reshaping of Indian sociology are the main focus of this article. Professor Singh was quite distinct from sociologists and social scientists of his times, as a human being, and as a teacher, researcher and author. In the 1960s, he attempted a systematic analysis of Indian sociology. Over a period of half a century, Professor Singh conducted studies on a wide range of themes, such as village life, social stratification, youth, culture, urbanization, nonviolence and peace, professions, social movements, tradition and modernity, globalization, and social conditioning of Indian sociology.

Of all this, Singh’s main contribution lies in his ability to conceptualise empirical studies and narratives and examine the relevance of pre-given concepts and theories at the ground level. Based on his vast knowledge of sociological concepts, theories and thoughts, he was often mentioned as ‘an incurable theorist’. His books, such as Modernization of Indian Tradition (1973), Concepts and Theories of Social Change (1974a), Image of Man: Ideology and Theory in Indian Sociology (1984c) and Indian Sociology: Social Conditioning and Emerging Concerns (1986b) speak of Singh’s concern for reshaping of Indian sociology. Singh was a liberal social scientist, a centrist, as he followed a middle path, as reflected in his pragmatic eclecticism.

Singh has attempted constructive criticisms of culturological studies, while providing a review of paradigms and theoretic orientations and periodization in Indian sociology. He states that there is no succession of paradigms and theoretic orientations. There is co-existence of competing paradigms and orientations. There are no master theories. Singh discusses Indian sociology ranging from being ‘consensual to dialectical-historical’ to ‘critical’ and symbolic-phenomenological orientations. In this context, he talks of a world view of sociology and the challenge of post-modernity, and challenges to globalization, identity and economic development. Regarding social change, Singh refers to a three-fold classification of approaches, namely, evolutionary, cultural and structural approaches. In addition to these, Singh also emphasises on cognitive-historical and institutional approaches.

In regard to the study of social change and development, Singh reflects on issues, such as a quality of life for citizens, levels of social justice, economic security, harmony among social groups, nation-state, uneven incomes, disintegration, and crises and impediments in Indian society.

Author concludes Professor Singh’s seminal contributions in terms of his liberal thinking and all-inclusive approach. Singh had an open mind, without an ideological or statist command. He developed his own unique method of understanding, interpretation, analysis and conceptualisation. He has written with passion on Indian sociology. Singh has analysed ideology, theory and method in Indian sociology from the 1950s till the second decade of the 21st century. Singh has made a search for ‘social’, ‘social relations’ and ‘society’. He has connected ‘form’ with ‘substance’, and vice-a-versa. Singh had no camouflage or the smoke screen of jargon and no hidden agenda.