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Gender, Religion and Caste - Q&A

Exercises

1. Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.

In India, women face discrimination and disadvantage in several aspects of life:
1. Literacy and Education: The literacy rate among women is lower (54%) compared to men (76%). [cite_start]Many girls drop out of school because parents prefer spending resources on their sons' education[cite: 1079, 1102].
2. Unpaid Work: Women perform a large amount of unpaid work within the home (cooking, cleaning, child care). [cite_start]On average, an Indian woman works one hour more than a man daily, but her work is often not valued because it is not paid[cite: 1087, 1104, 1105].
3. [cite_start]Sex Ratio: Due to a preference for sons, practices like sex-selective abortion exist, leading to a decline in the child sex ratio (number of girls per thousand boys), which is merely 919[cite: 1108, 1109].
4. [cite_start]Domestic Violence: Women are not safe even inside their own homes and often face harassment, beating, and domestic violence[cite: 1192].
5. Political Representation: Women's representation in elected bodies is very low. [cite_start]In the Lok Sabha, it has only reached around 14.36% (in 2019), and in state assemblies, it is less than 5%[cite: 1198].


2. State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

Communalism can take various forms in politics:
1. Everyday Beliefs: The most common form involves religious prejudices, stereotypes, and the belief in the superiority of one's religion.
[cite_start]Example: Believing that people of a different religion are "foreigners" or cannot be good citizens[cite: 1311, 1312].

2. Political Mobilisation: This involves using religious symbols, religious leaders, and emotional appeals to bring followers of one religion together.
[cite_start]Example: A politician asking for votes specifically in the name of a religion or using sacred symbols during campaigns[cite: 1301, 1302].

3. Majoritarian Dominance: For the majority community, this takes the form of trying to dominate the state power.
[cite_start]Example: The Sinhala community in Sri Lanka using the state to establish supremacy over minorities[cite: 1297].

4. Communal Violence: The most ugly form involves riots and massacres.
[cite_start]Example: The communal riots that occurred during the Partition of India and Pakistan[cite: 1304, 1305].


3. State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.

Caste inequalities have not completely disappeared from India and continue in the following ways:
1. [cite_start]Marriage: Most people still marry within their own caste or tribe[cite: 1402].
2. [cite_start]Untouchability: Despite constitutional prohibition, the practice of untouchability has not ended completely[cite: 1402].
3. Education and Economic Status: Caste groups that had access to education in the past (upper castes) continue to do well, while those who were excluded (lower castes) lag behind. [cite_start]As a result, there is a disproportionately large presence of 'upper castes' among the urban middle classes, and caste continues to be closely linked to economic status[cite: 1404, 1406, 1407].


4. State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.

Caste alone cannot determine election results because:
1. No Single Caste Majority: No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste. [cite_start]Every candidate needs to win the trust of more than one caste or community to win[cite: 1449, 1450].
2. Split in Caste Votes: No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste. Even if a caste is considered a "vote bank," it usually means a large proportion votes for that party, not everyone. [cite_start]Rich and poor people within the same caste often vote differently[cite: 1451, 1471].


5. What is the status of women's representation in India's legislative bodies?

Central and State Legislature: The representation of women in India's legislative bodies is very low.
- [cite_start]In the Lok Sabha, the percentage of elected women members touched 14.36% for the first time in 2019[cite: 1198].
- [cite_start]In State Assemblies, their share is less than 5%[cite: 1198].

Local Government: The status is much better in local bodies.
- One-third of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities are legally reserved for women. [cite_start]As a result, there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in these bodies[cite: 1243, 1244].

[cite_start]Note: In 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed to provide 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, which aims to improve the situation in the future[cite: 1247].


6. Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.

1. No Official Religion: The Constitution does not give special status to any religion. [cite_start]There is no official religion for the Indian state (unlike Sri Lanka or Pakistan)[cite: 1319, 1328].
2. [cite_start]Freedom of Religion: The Constitution provides all individuals and communities the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion, or not to follow any[cite: 1329].
[cite_start](Another valid point: The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion [cite: 1330]).


7. When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to:
(a) Biological difference between men and women
(b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women
(c) Unequal child sex ratio
(d) Absence of voting rights for women in democracies

Answer: (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women
[cite_start]Explanation: Gender division is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes (public/private division of labour)[cite: 1020].


8. In India seats are reserved for women in
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) State legislative assemblies
(c) Cabinets
(d) Panchayati Raj bodies

Answer: (d) Panchayati Raj bodies
[cite_start]Explanation: Currently, one-third of seats are reserved for women in local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities)[cite: 1243]. While the 2023 Act mandates reservation in Lok Sabha, its implementation is for the future.


9. Consider the following statements on the meaning of communal politics. Communal politics is based on the belief that:
A. One religion is superior to that of others.
B. People belonging to different religions can live together happily as equal citizens.
C. Followers of a particular religion constitute one community.
D. State power cannot be used to establish the domination of one religious group over others.

Which of the statements are correct?
(a) A, B, C, and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) A and C
(d) B and D

Answer: (c) A and C
Explanation: Communal politics believes one religion is superior (A) and that followers of one religion form a single distinct community with same interests (C). [cite_start]Statements B and D reflect secular values, not communal ones[cite: 1285, 1289].


10. Which among the following statements about India's Constitution is wrong? It
(a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(b) gives official status to one religion.
(c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.
(d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.

Answer: (b) gives official status to one religion.
Explanation: This statement is wrong. [cite_start]India is a secular state and does not have any official religion[cite: 1319].


11. Social divisions based on caste are peculiar to India.

[cite_start]Explanation: Unlike gender and religion which are universal, the caste division is special and specific to Indian society[cite: 1341].


12. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I List II
1. A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men A. Communalist
2. A person who says that religion is the principal basis of community B. Feminist
3. A person who thinks that caste is the principal basis of community C. Secularist
4. A person who does not discriminate others on the basis of religious beliefs D. Castiest

(a) B, C, A, D
(b) B, A, D, C
(c) D, C, A, B
(d) C, A, B, D

Answer: (b) B, A, D, C
Explanation:
1. [cite_start]Believes in equal rights for women -> Feminist (B) [cite: 1066]
2. [cite_start]Religion is basis of community -> Communalist (A) [cite: 1287]
3. [cite_start]Caste is basis of community -> Castiest (D) [cite: 1409]
4. [cite_start]No discrimination on religion -> Secularist (C) [cite: 1333]

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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
What is the basis of the hierarchical social division known as gender division?
Answer
It is based on social expectations and stereotypes rather than biological differences.
Question
Term: Sexual division of labour
Answer
Definition: A system where work inside the home is done or organised by women, while men work outside the home.
Question
Why are men more likely to take up jobs like tailoring or cooking when they are performed outside the home?
Answer
Men are ready to perform these tasks when they are paid for as a professional service.
Question
What is the primary consequence of the traditional sexual division of labour on women's role in public life?
Answer
Women's roles in public life, particularly in politics, remain minimal in most societies.
Question
Term: Feminist
Answer
Definition: A woman or a man who believes in equal rights and opportunities for all genders.
Question
What were the primary goals of early feminist agitations across the world?
Answer
Enhancing the political and legal status of women while improving their educational and career opportunities.
Question
Term: Patriarchy
Answer
Definition: A social system that values men more and gives them power over women.
Question
In India, how does the literacy rate of women compare to that of men according to the source material?
Answer
The literacy rate for women is 54 per cent, significantly lower than the 76 per cent for men.
Question
What is the main reason girl students often drop out of higher studies in India?
Answer
Parents often prefer to spend their resources on their sons' education rather than their daughters'.
Question
The _____ of 1976 mandates that equal wages must be paid for equal work.
Answer
Equal Remuneration Act
Question
In the context of Indian employment, how do women's wages generally compare to men's for the same work?
Answer
Women are frequently paid less than men even when performing exactly the same work.
Question
Definition: Child sex ratio
Answer
The number of girl children per thousand boys in a specific population.
Question
According to the 2011 Census, what was the child sex ratio in India?
Answer
The child sex ratio in India had fallen to 919 girls per thousand boys.
Question
Which group of countries is noted for having a very high level of women's participation in public life?
Answer
Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Question
What was the percentage of elected women members in the Indian Lok Sabha for the first time in 2019?
Answer
The percentage reached 14.36 per cent of the total strength.
Question
How does women's representation in Indian state assemblies compare to their representation in the Lok Sabha?
Answer
Women's share in state assemblies is much lower, sitting at less than 5 per cent.
Question
What legal change was made in India's Panchayati Raj to improve women's political representation?
Answer
One-third of the seats in local government bodies were reserved for women.
Question
The _____ (Women’s Reservation Act, 2023) provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Answer
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
Question
What did Mahatma Gandhi mean when he stated that religion can never be separated from politics?
Answer
He believed politics must be guided by the moral values and ethics common to all religions.
Question
Term: Family laws
Answer
Definition: Laws dealing with domestic matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance.
Question
When does the relationship between religion and politics become communalism?
Answer
When religion is seen as the sole basis of the nation and one group is pitted against another.
Question
Term: Communal politics
Answer
Definition: A system where religious identity is treated as the principal basis of social community and political mobilisation.
Question
What is the 'majoritarian dominance' form of communalism?
Answer
A quest for political dominance by the majority religious community over others.
Question
How is political mobilisation on religious lines typically achieved during elections?
Answer
Through the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, and emotional appeals to voters' religious identities.
Question
Identify one way the Indian Constitution ensures the state remains secular.
Answer
The Constitution does not grant official status to any single religion.
Question
Under what condition does the Indian Constitution allow the state to intervene in religious matters?
Answer
The state may intervene to ensure equality within religious communities, such as banning untouchability.
Question
What makes the Indian caste system different from other forms of social division of labour?
Answer
It is an extreme form where hereditary occupational divisions are sanctioned by rituals.
Question
Which social reformers worked to establish an Indian society free of caste inequalities?
Answer
Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar, and Periyar Ramaswami Naicker.
Question
Term: Urbanisation
Answer
Definition: The shift of a population from rural areas to urban living environments.
Question
Term: Occupational mobility
Answer
Definition: The shift of individuals or generations from one occupation to another different one.
Question
Term: Caste hierarchy
Answer
Definition: A ladder-like social formation where caste groups are ranked from highest to lowest.
Question
According to the 2011 Census, what percentage of the Indian population is comprised of Scheduled Castes?
Answer
Scheduled Castes make up 16.6 per cent of the population.
Question
According to the 2011 Census, what percentage of the Indian population is comprised of Scheduled Tribes?
Answer
Scheduled Tribes make up 8.6 per cent of the population.
Question
What is the estimated population percentage of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) based on the 2004–05 National Sample Survey?
Answer
OBCs are estimated to make up approximately 41 per cent of the population.
Question
What is the largest religious community in India according to 2011 Census data?
Answer
Hindus, who make up 79.8 per cent of the population.
Question
Which committee debunked the myth that the Muslim population would soon overtake other religious communities in India?
Answer
The Sachar Committee.
Question
How does the caste system regulate economic inequality in India?
Answer
By historically restricting access to resources, such as land or education, based on caste identity.
Question
Which group is heavily over-represented among the urban middle classes in India due to historical access to education?
Answer
Members of the 'upper castes'.
Question
Why is it impossible for a candidate to win an Indian election based on a single caste's support alone?
Answer
No parliamentary constituency in India has a clear majority of only one single caste.
Question
Term: Vote bank
Answer
Definition: A situation where a large proportion of voters from a specific caste or community vote for one particular party.
Question
What factor often proves more decisive in Indian elections than caste attachment?
Answer
Voters' assessment of government performance and the popularity of political leaders.
Question
How does politics influence caste identities according to the source material?
Answer
Political activity brings caste groups into the public arena, forcing them to negotiate and form coalitions.
Question
What is a potential negative effect of exclusive attention to caste in democracy?
Answer
It can divert attention from pressing issues like poverty, development, and corruption.
Question
Which group remains the worst off in terms of average economic status according to the old caste hierarchy?
Answer
Dalits and Adivasis.
Question
What term is used to describe communities that historically led a secluded life in hills and forests?
Answer
Scheduled Tribes or Adivasis.
Question
The _____ are the social group historically regarded as 'outcastes' and subjected to untouchability.
Answer
Scheduled Castes or Dalits
Question
What is the population percentage of Muslims in India as of the 2011 Census?
Answer
14.2 per cent.
Question
How has the population balance of major religious communities in India changed since Independence?
Answer
The total population of all groups has increased, but their relative proportions have not changed significantly.
Question
Which religious communities in India saw a marginal decline in their population proportion between 1961 and 2011?
Answer
Hindus, Jains, and Christians.
Question
Which religious communities in India saw a slight increase in their population proportion between 1961 and 2011?
Answer
Muslims, Sikhs, and Buddhists.
Question
Concept: Secular state
Answer
A state that does not have an official religion and provides equal freedom and protection to all religious practices.
Question
How does the Indian Constitution treat individual freedom of religion?
Answer
It allows all individuals to profess, practise, and propagate any religion or none at all.
Question
Why is political expression of social differences considered desirable in a democracy?
Answer
It allows disadvantaged groups to voice their needs and demand a fair share of power.