Chapter 4 - Gender, Religion, and Caste

In the previous chapter you learned that political expression of social differences is possible and sometimes highly desirable in democratic systems. Vidyakul Grade 10 Politics Chapter 4 explores three social differences based on gender, religion, and caste that can take the form of social divisions and inequality. In each case, you are looking at the nature of India's division and how it is expressed in politics. So read Vidyakul CBSE Notes, Political Science Class 10, Chapter 4 - Gender, Religion, and Caste to learn more about all topics.

Gender and Politics

Gender division is generally understood to be natural and unchanging. It is based not on biology, but on societal expectations and stereotypes.

Public/quad division of labor

As a result of this division of labor, women make up half of humanity, but women's role in public life, especially in politics, is minor in most societies. Previously, only men could hold public office, vote, and run for office. Gradually, gender issues began to emerge in politics. It demanded to enhance the political and legal status of women and improve their educational and career opportunities. The movements which were raised by women to get equality in personal and family life are called Feminist movements.

The political expression of gender division and political mobilization helped to improve women’s role in public life. As India is a male-dominated, PATRIARCHAL society, women face disadvantage, discrimination, and oppression in various ways:

The literacy rate among women is only 54 percent compared with 76 percent among men. On average, an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day and yet much of her work is not paid. The Equal Pay Act of 1976 stipulates equal pay for equal work.

In India, sex-selective abortion has reduced the sex ratio of children (girls per 1,000 boys). The urban area is not particularly safe for women.

Women's political representation

Lack of attention to issues related to women. This has led many feminists and women's movements to conclude that unless women are in control of their power, their problems will not get the attention they deserve.In India, the share of female Lok Sabha MPs elected for the first time in 2014 reached 12% of the total. They make up less than 5% of the state legislature.

One way to address women's issues is to ensure women's fair share in elected bodies. In panchayats and municipalities, one-third of local government seats are reserved for women. More than 10,000 women delegates have now been elected to rural and urban local government. Gender division is an example of how some form of social distinction must be expressed in politics. It also shows that disadvantaged groups benefit when social division becomes a political issue.

Religion, Communism & Politics

{Religion}

Divide over religious differences is often expressed in the realm of politics. India has people of many different religions. As members of a religious community, people should be able to express their needs, interests, and aspirations in politics.

{Communalism}

The use of religion in politics is called communal politics:

• 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
• When state power is used to establish the domination of one religious group over the rest.

Communalism can take various forms in politics as mentioned below:

The most common expression of communalism in everyday beliefs involves religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities, and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community.
Political mobilization on religious lines involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal, and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
Sometimes communalism takes its ugly form of communal violence, riots, and massacre India and Pakistan experienced some of the most violent inter-regional riots during the partition.

Secular Country

India is a secular country. Below are some characteristics of the secular state of India.
The Constitution grants all individuals and communities the freedom not to profess, practice, propagate, or follow any religion.
The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion. The
Constitution allows the state to intervene in religious matters to ensure equality within religious communities. For example, it bans untouchables.
Caste and politics have both positive and negative aspects.

Caste Inequality

In most societies, occupations are passed down from generation to generation. A caste system is an extreme form of this. In this system, members of the same caste, group were supposed to form a social community that practiced the same or similar occupation, married within the caste group, and did not eat with members from other caste groups.

With economic development, large-scale urbanization, 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. The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination and laid the foundations of policies to reverse the injustices of the caste system.

Caste in Politics

Caste can take various forms in politics:

When parties choose their candidate or when governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it. Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiment to win the elections Because one man, one vote, or adult suffrage has made the electorate so powerful, parties raise the issue of caste in elections to gain political support in order to gain support.

Political parties informed the lower classes of their right to vote and power. Caste matters in elections, but that's not all. There are many other factors that affect elections. Elections take into account the public's evaluation of government activity and the popularity of its leaders.

To win elections, candidates and parties must gain the trust of one or more castes and communities. No party receives the vote of all the electors of a caste or community.
Some electors have more than one candidate from their caste, while many electors have no candidates from their caste. Every time there is a new election, the ruling party and the incumbent member of the National Assembly or MLA are constantly changing.

Caste Politics

Politics also affects caste systems and caste identities, bringing them into the realm of politics. There are several things to prove this.

Each caste group tries to grow larger by including neighboring castes or podcasts. Different caste groups form together with other castes or communities to initiate dialogue and negotiation.

New types of caste groups such as the "backward" and "advanced" castes have entered the political arena.
Castes thus play different roles in politics. In some cases, caste divisions lead to tension, conflict, and even violence.

Frequently asked Questions on CBSE Class 10 

Is gender discrimination still an existing issue?

Yes, gender discrimination does exist in several parts of the world even today.

How can we raise children without gender discrimination?

1. Make children aware of such societal issues

2. Treat a son and a daughter the same way in a household

What role do teachers play to control this indiscrimination?

Teachers should not act biased toward any particular gender. They should award marks to students only based on their performance in the exams.