Social Diversity and Politics in India Chapter

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Questions and Answers

What is a common reason for the dropout of girls from education in some regions?

Parents have limited resources and favor boys' education. (correct)

Girls are discouraged by their peers.

Parents prioritize spending on daughters' education.

There are fewer educational facilities for girls.

What trend is noted regarding women's pay compared to men's?

Women's earnings are equal to men's when performing the same work.

Women are paid less than men even for equivalent work. (correct)

Women earn more than men in the same jobs.

Women earn a higher salary for similar roles.

What societal preference is indicated in the content regarding the gender of children?

Preference for boys, leading to measures for gender selection. (correct)

Equal treatment of sons and daughters.

Preference for girls in education.

Girls are preferred for certain types of work.

How does the participation of women in highly paid and valued jobs compare to men?

The proportion of women in these jobs is very small. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'working non-stop' imply about the attitude towards domestic work?

Domestic work is not valued as proper work. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the Women's Reservation Bill address in Parliament?

Gender representation Signup and view all the answers

What is mentioned as a common consequence of communal riots in India?

Victimization of religious minorities Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how do religion and politics relate to each other?

Politics must be guided by ethics from religion. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following social divisions is considered universal?

Gender Signup and view all the answers

What argument do human rights groups make regarding communal riots?

They demand special protection for religious minorities. Signup and view all the answers

What division is highlighted as not being as universal as gender?

Religious differences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of social divisions?

Political ideologies Signup and view all the answers

What relationship between religion and morality is suggested in the content?

Moral values inform all religions, not just one. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of communal politics?

Promoting the superiority of one religion over others Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason why caste alone cannot determine election results in India?

Economic status influences voting behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about women's representation in India's legislative bodies is accurate?

Seats are reserved for women in Panchayati Raj bodies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly matches a form of discrimination faced by women in India?

Gendered wage gaps Signup and view all the answers

Which constitutional provision supports India's status as a secular state?

Guarantee of equal rights for all religions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that defines gender divisions in society?

Socially assigned roles based on gender Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes a wrong aspect of India’s Constitution?

It allows for the official status of one religion. Signup and view all the answers

Which social division is particularly unique to India?

Caste-based stratification Signup and view all the answers

What is the national average child sex ratio according to the 2011 Census?

914 Signup and view all the answers

Which category has a child sex ratio classification of 'Below 800'?

Below 800 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories indicates a ratio of 950 and above?

950 AND ABOVE Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue that children face even within their own homes?

Beating and harassment Signup and view all the answers

Which category encompasses a child sex ratio between 800 and 849?

800-849 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories is associated with a lack of data?

DATA NOT AVAILABLE Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern for children found within the documented issues?

Domestic violence Signup and view all the answers

In the context of child sex ratio, which range is considered above average?

950 AND ABOVE Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Scheduled Tribes in rural areas lived below the poverty line during 1999-2000?

45.8% Signup and view all the answers

Which caste group had the lowest percentage of people living below the poverty line in urban areas?

Sikh Upper Castes Signup and view all the answers

How do political parties often appeal to voters in elections?

By making appeals to caste sentiment. Signup and view all the answers

What principle ensures that every individual has the same voting power?

Universal adult franchise Signup and view all the answers

What economic conditions can influence voting behavior among the same caste members?

Wealth status. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the voting behavior of different groups?

Voters have stronger affiliations to political parties than to caste. Signup and view all the answers

What is the poverty line spending limit for a person in urban areas, according to the provided information?

Rs 454 Signup and view all the answers

What contributes significantly to a new consciousness among people regarding their political choices?

Mobilization by political leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in the proportion of the Hindus, Jains, and Christians since 1961?

Their population proportion has remained stable with a slight decline. Signup and view all the answers

What do expert estimates predict for the Muslim population in the next 50 years?

It is expected to increase by about 3 to 4 percent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of Scheduled Castes in the country’s population as of 2001?

16.2 percent. Signup and view all the answers

Which group includes communities that led a secluded life usually in hills and forests?

Scheduled Tribes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the misconception regarding the Muslim population's proportion?

It is expected to overtake other religious groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the Scheduled Castes is incorrect?

They are a single unified community. Signup and view all the answers

What has happened to the overall population balance of different religious groups since Independence?

It has remained relatively stable. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Scheduled Tribes is true?

They are known as Adivasis. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview

Social diversity does not threaten democracy; political expression of social differences is possible and often desirable in a democratic system.
This chapter examines social differences in India, focusing on gender, religion, and caste.
The chapter explores the nature of these divisions in India and how they manifest in politics.
It also considers whether differing expressions based on these characteristics are healthy for a democracy.

Gender and Politics

Societal norms often dictate that women are primarily responsible for housework and childcare.
This "sexual division of labor" is evident in families, with women handling domestic tasks like cooking, cleaning, and childcare, while men often focus on external work.
Though women also participate in tasks outside the domestic sphere in villages and urban areas (e.g., fetching water, farming, or domestic help in urban areas), their contributions are often undervalued and unrecognised.
Historically, women's political participation, such as voting and contesting for public office, has been limited in most societies.
Women's political roles have improved with greater social recognition of the issue and increased organization advocating for equal rights in various countries.

Perceptions of Ideal Women

Societal expectations and stereotypes influence how women are perceived.
These perceptions often assign specific roles and qualities to women (e.g., house wife, beauty standards, or care-givers).
These are reflected in media representations of ideal women, which can affect expectations and opportunities.

Time Use Survey

Studies show that women generally work more hours (seven and a half hours) than men (six and a half hours) daily, but much of the woman's work is in the household and is not recorded or valued.
This unpaid work, often seen as invisible or domestic labor includes activities like household and related work, childcare, chores, and taking care of other elders in the household.

Child Sex Ratio

The child sex ratio (number of girl children per thousand boys) in India has declined, particularly in several districts.
This decline is often linked to sex-selective abortions (where parents choose to have boys rather than girls).
The unequal treatment of male and female children in terms of education, resources, and opportunities is also a factor.

Women's Political Representation

Women's political representation in national parliaments is relatively low compared to the global average.
India has one of the lowest levels of women's representation in legislative bodies.
Various factors contribute to the low representation, including cultural traditions, social norms, and political structures.

Religion, Communalism, and Politics

Religious differences can create social divisions and influence politics.
In India, communalism is often expressed as the belief that religion is a primary basis for social community, leading to social and political conflicts.
Gandhiji believed that religion and politics are intertwined and cannot be separated.
It is also argued that a healthy democracy respects religious diversity and ensures equal participation for all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.
There is also the debate on how to make religion a healthy presence in the political context without allowing it to lead to the dominance of one group over another.

Caste and Politics

Caste inequalities continue in India despite formal legal efforts to curb them.
Caste is closely tied to economic status, and upper castes tend to be better off, while lower castes have higher levels of poverty.
The practice and perception of 'untouchability exists in some parts of Indian society and is tied to caste inequalities
Caste matters in elections, with caste-based appeals often used to build support.
Candidates from certain castes (if that is believed to dominate the electorate) are sometimes sought to cater to community requirements, and electoral politics are affected.
No parliamentary constituency in India has a majority of a single caste.
It's important to note that caste and politics are intricate and complex, and not every voter is based on caste.

The Indian Census systematically collects data on religious identity, providing information about religious compositions throughout the country and changes over time.
The proportions of religious groups, while not dramatically changing, do reflect some variation and, since independence, there are changes in the proportions of different groups.
Data on population proportions for various religious groups are available in the census reports.

Caste Inequality Today

Caste continues to be a significant source of economic inequality in India by affecting access to resources.
Different castes have accumulated varying levels of advantages and disadvantages over centuries, which influences their access and opportunities for education, resources, and wealth.
The average economic status of caste groups typically continues to follow pre-existing social hierarchies, despite laws and efforts to promote equality.
Lower castes tend to experience higher poverty rates than upper castes.

Exercises

The exercises given in the text contain questions relating to aspects and nuances of different types of social divisions and their impact and implications in India's democratic set-up.

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Description

This quiz explores the complex interplay between social diversity and democracy in India, focusing on the roles of gender, religion, and caste. It examines how these social differences impact political expression and the overall health of democratic processes. Test your understanding of the nuances of social structures and their significance in Indian politics.