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Gender and politics :
Gender division is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.
Sexual division of labour
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children.
This is reflected in a sexual division of labour in most families.
Women do all work inside the home.
such as - cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, looking after children
Women do some sort of paid work in addition to domestic labour but their work is not valued and recognised.
Men do all the work outside the home.
When paid for housework, men are also ready to take up housework inside the home.
Sexual division of labour : A system in which all work inside the home is either done by the women of the family, or organised by them through the domestic helpers.
Although women constitute half of the humanity but their role in public life or politics were minimal. Earlier women were not allowed to participate in public affairs, vote and contest for public offices.
Gradually gender became political issue and women organised and agitated for equal rights.
The main demands of these agitations were :
1. Voting rights to women.
2. Equality in personal and family life.
3. Enhancement of political and legal status of women.
4. Improvement of educational and career opportunities for women.
These movements are called feminist movements.
Feminist: A woman or a man who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
These agitations increased the participation of women in public life but in our country, women still lag much behind men despite improvement.
Women face disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in our male dominated patriarchal society
1. The literacy rate among women is only 54 % compared with 76% among men. Many girls drop out because parents spend their resources for their boys’ education rather than daughters.
2. The percentage of women in highly paid jobs is still very small. An Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid.
3. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 - According to this act equal wages should be paid to equal work. But at many workplaces, women are paid less than men for the same job.
4. Many Indian parents prefer to have a male child. The girl child is aborted before born. Such sex-selective abortion lead to a decline in child sex ratio in the country.
5. Women face Various kinds of harassment, exploitation and domestic violence. Women are not safe even within their own home.
Women’s political representation
The political representation of women has been very low in Indian Legislatures. Therefore, laws should be made for proper representation of women in elected bodies.
One-third of seats in local government bodies in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women in india.
Women’s organisations have been demanding reservation of one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women.
Religious division
Religion plays an important role in politics.
1. According to Mahatma Gandhi- "Religion can never be separated from politics. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion"
2. According to Human Right Groups "religious minorities in india started to become victim of communal riots, so the government should take special steps to protect religious minorities."
3. According to women movement -" Family laws of all religions discriminate with women. So, the government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
Communalism
It is a situation when people of one community or religion go against the people of another community or religion.
This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions, when the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest.
Communalism is a hindrance in the functioning of our democracy.
Forms of Communalism in the Indian Politics
(i) Communalism in daily beliefs : The most common expression of communalism is in everyday life. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and the beliefs in the superiority of one religion over the other religions.
(ii) Communalism as majoritarian and political dominance: A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. A majority community tries to establish its domination over the other communities . A Minority communities desire to form a separate political unit.
(iii) Communalism as political mobilisation on religious lines : Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. Parties based on a particular community make use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
(iv) Communalism in the Form of Communal Violence : Sometimes communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.
To sum up,communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them fias to dominate the lest or they have to form different nation.
Family laws: Those laws that deal with family related matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, etc are called family laws
Secular state : The makers of our Constitution were aware with challenge of communalism. So, they chose the model of secular state.
Secularism : Secularism means no special status is given to any religion in a country. There is no official religion for the state. It means that everyone is free to profess, propagate and practice any religion or not to follow any.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
Constitutional provisions for a secular state in india.
(i) There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike Sri Lanka (Buddhism), Pakistan (Islam) and England (Christianity), our Constitution does not give special status to any religion.
(ii) The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities have been given freedom to practice, profess and propagate any religion.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(iv) Our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
(v) The Constitution allows state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.
Caste and politics :
Caste Inequalities
Social division on the lines of caste is unique to India. Members of the same caste group were supposed to form a social community that practiced the same occupation, married within the caste group and did not eat with members from other caste groups.
Caste system was based on exclusion and discrimination against outcaste groups.
Decline of the caste system in India:
(i) The efforts of social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami have a great role in the process of weakening the caste hierarchy.
(ii) Due to socio-economic changes - With economic development , largescale urbanisation, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down.
(iii) The Constitution of India prohibited any caste based discrimination
The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination Yet caste has not disappeared from contemporary India.
(i) Untouchability has not ended completely, despite constitutional prohibition.
(ii) Most people marry within their own caste or tribe
(iii) Effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages continue to be felt today
(iv) A large mass of low caste people still do not have access to education.
(v) Caste continues to be closely linked to economic status.
Urbanisation: Shift of population from rural areas to urban areas is called urbanisation
Occupational mobility: Shift from one occupation to another, usually when a new generation takes up occupations other than those practiced by their ancestors.
Caste hierarchy: A ladder-like formation in which all the caste groups are placed from the ‘highest’ to the ‘lowest’ castes
Forms of Caste in Politics
Forms of Caste in Politics/Role of caste in Indian politics.
(i) Political parties choose those candidates during elections, whose caste has majority in that electorate.
(ii) When the government is formed, political parties take care that representative from different castes find place in the government.
(iii) Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiment to muster support.
(iv) Concept of one person, one vote, one value developed consciousness among the people of caste which were earlier treated as inferior
Elections are not only about caste:
The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else. That is far from true.
(i) No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste. So, every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of more than one caste to win elections.
(ii) No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste .
(iii) Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste. Some voters have more than one candidate from their caste while many voters have no candidate from their caste.
(v) The ruling party and the sitting MP or MLA frequently lose elections in our country. That could not have happened if all castes and communities were frozen in their political preferences.
Forms of Politics in Caste :
(i) Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within its neighbouring castes or sub-castes.
(ii) Each caste tries to form coalition with other castes or communities to gain political power thus there is dialogue and negotiation between them.
(iii) New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like 'backward* and 'forward' caste groups.
Positive results of caste:
Caste politics has helped people from Dalits and OBC castes to gain better access to decision making.
Many’ political parties take up the issue of ending caste discrimination.
Negative Aspects of Caste
Politics based on caste can divert attention from other pressing issues like poverty, development and corruption.
Caste-based politics leads to tensions, conflict and even violence.
- How much representation do local governments provide for women in India?or How many seats are reserved for the women in the Indian local self-government?One-Third
- At which level of government in India l/3rd of seats are reserved for women?Local Government bodies.
- In which constitutional institution have seats been reserved for women?Panchayats and Municipalities
- By what term is now the person known who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women.Feminist
- Suggest any one way to increase the participation of women in the legislative domain of IndiaWomen reservation bill should be passed
- Define a feminist?A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
- What are family laws?Those laws that deal with family related matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, etc are called family laws
- What is a secular state ?A state in which the constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propogate any religion
- Suggest any one way to protect women from domestic oppression.(i) By enhancing their political representation(ii) By empowering them through education.
- Suggest any one way to create communal harmony among various communities of India.(i) By enhancing the feeling of national integration among people(ii) By eradicating communal prejudices and propaganda in everyday life
- Explain the term ‘Feminist’.A woman or a man who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.The gender issue was raised in politic and women organized and agitated for equal rights in politics. These movements are called feminist movements.
- Describe the problems of low representation of women in Indian legislature(i) The problems of women are not given proper attention.(ii) A bill for reservation of one-third of seats in Lok Sabha for women is pending for more than one decade.(iii) India is still a male dominated, Patriarchal society.
- Why are caste barriers breaking down in India?Explain with three reasons.(i) The efforts of social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami have a great role in the process of weakening the caste hierarchy.(ii) Due to socio-economic changes - With economic development , largescale urbanisation, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down.(iii) The Constitution of India prohibited any caste based discrimination.
- Mention any three features of ‘secularism’ described in the Indian
Constitution
Or Describe the provisions of Secularism in India.
(i) There is no official religion in a secular state like India.
(ii) The Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
(iv) The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities have been given freedom to practice, profess and propagate any religion.
(v) The Constitution of India puts ban on the discrimination on grounds of religion. - What is the status of women representation in India’s legislative bodies ?(i) The share of women in the Lok Sabha is less than 15 percent. (14.36 % in 2019.)(ii) The share of women in the State Assemblies is less than 5 percent.(iii) In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
- Describe any three problems of communalism in Indian politics.(i) A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance.(ii) Sometimes religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms.(iii) Parties based on a particular community conduct political mobilization on religious lines(iv) Voters generally vote on communal lines. Elected representatives try to safeguard the interests of their community and ignore national interests.(v) Sometimes communism takes it's most ugly form of communal violence, riots, and massacre.
- Describe the positive and negative aspects of relationship between caste and politicsPositive aspects of caste:Caste politics has helped people from Dalits and OBC castes to gain better access to decision making.Many’ political parties take up the issue of ending caste discrimination.Negative Aspects of CastePolitics based on caste can divert attention from other pressing issues like poverty, development and corruption.Caste-based politics leads to tensions, conflict and even violence.
- “Communalism is harmful for the nation”. Explain.Or“There is urgent need to combat communalism”. Explain.
(i) Communalism is a situation when people of one community or religion go against the people of another community or religion.
(ii) Communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens in a nation.
(iii) Sometimes communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
(iv) Communal forces often indulge in promoting their religion and denouncing other religions.
(v) Communalism hampers the unity and the strength of the nation. - ‘‘Sexual division of labour is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.’’ Support the statement.✦Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the women do housework and look after children✦It is also believed that all the work outside the house is done by men.✦Now many women are working as scientist, doctors etc. but earlier only men were allowed to work in public affairs.✦Traditional roles of women have been performed by men in recent times.✦When paid for housework, men are also ready to take up housework inside the home.
- What is sexual division of labour ? Mention the main demands of the worldwide women’s agitations.A system in which all work inside the home is either done by the women of the family, or organised by them through the domestic helpers.The main demands of worldwide women’s agitations were-1. Voting rights to women.2. Equality in personal and family life.3. Enhancement of political and legal status of women.4. Improvement of educational and career opportunities for women.
- Describe the influence of Politics in the Caste system.(i) Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within its neighbouring castes or sub-castes.(ii) Each caste tries to form coalition with other castes or communities to gain political power thus there is dialogue and negotiation between them.(iii) New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like 'backward* and 'forward' caste groups.
- “Caste has not still disappeared from contemporary India.” Support the statement with suitable examples.Or Caste inequalities are still prevalent in India.’’ Examine the statement.Or “Caste has not still disappeared from contemporary India”. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with suitable argument.Yes, Caste has not still disappeared from contemporary India.Arguments(i) Untouchability has not ended completely, despite constitutional prohibition.(ii) Most people marry within their own caste or tribe(iii) Effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages continue to be felt today(iv) A large mass of low caste people still do not have access to education.(v) Caste continues to be closely linked to economic status.
- Explain any five methods to raise the political representation of women in India(i) Laws should be made for proper representation of women in elected bodies.(ii) At least one-third seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies should be reserved for women.(iii) Political parties should also give due representation to women members.(iv) More seats should be reserved in local government bodies for women(v) Women's representation in politics can be increased by encouraging and supporting local women leaders.
- The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else. Do you agree? Explain.No, I do not agree. The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else. This is far from true because:(i) No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste. So, every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of more than one caste and community to win elections.(ii) No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste or community.When people say that a caste is a ‘vote bank’ of one party, it usuall means that a large proportion of the voters from that caste vote for that party.(iii) Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste. Some voters have more than one candidate from their caste while many voters have no candidate from their caste.(v) The ruling party and the sitting MP or MLA frequently lose elections in our country. That could not have happened if all castes and communities were frozen in their political preferences.
- Describe any five ways in which women in India are still discriminated and oppressed.
Or “In our country, women still lag much behind than men despite some improvements since independence.” Support the statement by giving five reasons.Or “Women face discrimination in various ways in our society.” Explain
any two ways
or Explain with five examples that women are still discriminated in India.
or How ’’Women in India still face discrimination and oppression in various ways.” Support the statement with five examples.
or What are the problems faced by Indian women which affect their social status? Explain any five.
1. Low literacy rate among women : The literacy rate among women is only 54% compared with 76% among men. Many girls drop out because parents spend their resources for their boys’ education rather than daughters.
2. Low percentage in highly paid and valued jobs : The percentage of women in highly paid jobs is still very small. An Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid.
3. Women are paid less than men for same work : The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 - According to this act equal wages should be paid to equal work. But at many workplaces, women are paid less than men for the same job.
4. Patriarchal system : Many Indian parents prefer to have a male child. The girl child is aborted before born.
5. Women face Various kinds of harassment, exploitation and domestic violence. Women are not safe even within their own home. - How can caste take different forms in politics? Explainwith examples.
Or Analyse the role of caste in Indian politics.
Or Describe any five features of ‘caste in politics’ in IndiaOr Examine the different forms/problem of ‘Casteism’ in Indian politics.
(i) Political parties choose those candidates in elections, whose caste has majority in that electorate.
(ii) When the government is formed, political parties take care that representative from different castes find place in the government.
(iii) Political parties in elections make appeals to caste sentiment to muster support.
(iv) Concept of one person, one vote, one value developed consciousness among the people of caste which were earlier treated as inferior
(v) Caste people provide necessary support to their caste candidates to win elections.
(vi) The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression that elections are all about caste and nothing else. That is far from true. - Explain any five reasons for the weakening of ‘Caste Inequalities’ in India
Or Explain the factors that have led to the weakening of the caste system in India.
Or Explain any five socio-economic changes responsible for breaking down the old notion of caste hierarchy in India.
Or What factors have brought about a change in the Indian caste system in modern times? Explain.Or How has caste system in modern India undergone great change?Explain.
(i) Role of social reformers : The efforts of social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami have a great role in the process of weakening the caste hierarchy.
(ii) Economic development : . Economic development has weaked the caste system.
(iii) Urbanization and Industrialization : Large scale urbanisation has a great role in the decline of the caste system
(iv) Literacy and Education : Growth of literacy and education has helped to decrease the belief in caste.
(v)Occupation mobility : Occupation mobility also leads to the weakening of the caste hierarchy. Because children are not forced to continue the profession of the family or father.
(vi) Constitutional provisionsT: he Constitution of India prohibited any caste based discrimination
(vii) Weakening of land lordism in the villages : Weakening of the position of landlords in the villages has led to decline of the caste barriers in villages. - What form does communalism take in politics?Or Explain any three forms of communal politics, with examples.Or Explain how communalism is being expressed in politics?(i) Communalism in daily beliefs : The most common expression of communalism is in everyday life. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and the beliefs in the superiority of one religion over the other religions.(ii) Communalism as majoritarian and political dominance: A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. A majority community tries to establish its domination over the other communities . A Minority communities desire to form a separate political unit.(iii) Communalism as political mobilisation on religious lines : Parties based on a particular community make use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.(iv) Communalism in the Form of Communal Violence : Sometimes communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
- Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. Analyse the statement.(i) Communalism is when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions,(ii) The demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and establish domination on other.(iii) These involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions.(iv) Communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community(v) In electoral politics often involves special appeal to the interests or emotions of voters of one religion in preference to others
