Social Organisation and Inequities
SOCIAL ORGANISATION AND INEQUITIES
Towards Equality
Diversity, Discrimination, Prejudice, and Stereotypes
- Diversity: Presence of differences in culture, language, religion, occupation, region, gender.
- Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on caste, gender, religion, region, disability.
- Prejudice: Pre-judging a person or group without real knowledge.
- Stereotype: Fixed general idea about a group applied to all members.
| Term | Meaning | Indian Context Example |
|---|---|---|
| Discrimination | Unequal treatment | Dalits denied temple entry (historically) |
| Prejudice | Biased thinking | Girls shouldn’t study science |
| Stereotype | Fixed group image | All migrants are criminals |
Types of Discrimination and Inequality
- Caste-based
- Gender-based
- Religion-based
- Economic class-based
- Regional discrimination
- Language-based
Steps Towards Equality
Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Provision | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Article 14 | Equality before law | Equal legal protection |
| Article 15 | No discrimination on caste, sex, religion | Protects social equality |
| Article 16 | Equal opportunity in public employment | Fair government jobs |
| Article 17 | Abolition of untouchability | Ends social exclusion |
| Article 21A | Free & compulsory education | Education equality |
Remedial Measures for Abolishing Inequality
- Reservation policy for SC/ST/OBC
- Right to Education Act, 2009
- Scheduled Castes & Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- Scholarship schemes
Will Discrimination Stop People from Achieving Their Goals?
- No, but it creates barriers in education, jobs, leadership.
- Equality measures help remove obstacles.
Memory Line: “Equality in law + Equal opportunity = Real Democracy”
Exam Trap: Article 14 is general equality, Article 15 specifically bans discrimination.
Women Change the World
Women’s Movement
- Social reform movement to improve women’s status.
- Key areas: Education, legal rights, political participation.
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1848 | First girls’ school by Savitribai Phule | Women education started |
| 1950 | Indian Constitution enforced | Equal rights granted |
| 2006 | Domestic Violence Act | Protection for women |
Inspirational Women
- Savitribai Phule – First woman teacher
- Rani Lakshmibai – Freedom fighter
- Indira Gandhi – First woman Prime Minister
- Kalpana Chawla – Astronaut
Women, Caste, and Reforms
Changing the Lives of Widows
- Reformers: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
- Widow Remarriage Act: 1856
Girls Begin Going to School
- Phule couple started girls education in Pune (1848).
- Government schools expanded post-independence.
Women Write About Women
- Pandita Ramabai – Criticized gender discrimination.
- Tarabai Shinde – Author of Stri Purush Tulana (1882).
Caste and Social Reform
| Aspect | Leader | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Gulamgiri | Jyotirao Phule | Book exposing caste oppression (1873) |
| Temple Entry | Periyar, Ayyankali | Opened temples for all |
| Non-Brahman Movement | E.V. Ramasamy Periyar | Challenged caste dominance |
Memory Line: “Savitribai = Education, Periyar = Social Equality”
Exam Trap: Widow Remarriage Act was reformed in 1856 not after independence.
Understanding Marginalisation
Adivasis and Development
- Adivasis live in forest & hilly regions.
- Face displacement due to mining, dams, industries.
| Issue | Cause | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Land loss | Mining projects | Loss of livelihood |
| Migration | Development projects | Cultural isolation |
Minorities and Marginalisation
- Minorities identified based on religion, language population.
- National Commission for Minorities formed in 1992.
Memory Line: “Marginalisation = Social exclusion + Limited opportunity”
Exam Trap: Adivasi issues are linked more with land rights than political power.
Confronting Marginalisation
Invoking Fundamental Rights
- Article 14, 15, 17 used by marginal groups.
Laws for the Marginalised
| Law | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| SC/ST Act | 1989 | Prevent caste violence |
| Forest Rights Act | 2006 | Land rights to Adivasis |
Protecting Dalits and Adivasis
- Reservation in legislature, education, jobs.
- Legal protection under special laws.
Adivasi Demands & 1989 Act
- Strict punishment for caste crimes
- Special courts for speedy trial
Memory Line: “1989 Act = Shield for Dalits & Tribals”
Exam Trap: Forest Rights Act came in 2006, not in 1989.
Power Sharing
Belgium and Sri Lanka
| Country | Issue | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Majoritarianism | Led to civil conflict |
| Belgium | Linguistic diversity | Power sharing model |
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
- 1956 Sinhala Only Act
- Favored Sinhalese majority
Accommodation in Belgium
- Equal powers to Dutch & French communities.
- Community government system.
Forms of Power Sharing
- Horizontal (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary)
- Vertical (Central & State)
- Community-based
- Coalition sharing
Memory Line: “Belgium sharing = Unity, Sri Lanka majoritarian = Conflict”
Exam Trap: Belgium solved language issue by sharing power, Sri Lanka failed.
Federalism
Indian Federal Structure
- Union, State, Concurrent Lists (Seventh Schedule).
- Strong Centre but with autonomous states.
| List | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Union | Defense, Railways, Foreign Affairs |
| State | Police, Agriculture |
| Concurrent | Education, Forests |
Indian Federalism vs Global Systems
| Country | Type |
|---|---|
| India | Quasi-Federal |
| USA | Federal |
| UK | Unitary |
Memory Line: “India = Strong Centre + Flexible Federalism”
Exam Trap: Education moved to Concurrent List in 1976 (42nd Amendment).
Political Parties
Recognized National Parties
| Party | Founded | Founder |
|---|---|---|
| Indian National Congress | 1885 | A.O. Hume |
| Bharatiya Janata Party | 1980 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani |
| National People’s Party | 2013 | P.A. Sangma |
Major State Parties
| Party | State | Founded | Founder |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDP | Andhra Pradesh | 1982 | N.T. Rama Rao |
| YSRCP | AP | 2011 | Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy |
| JSP | AP | 2014 | Pawan Kalyan |
| BRS | Telangana | 2001 | K. Chandrashekar Rao |
| DMK | Tamil Nadu | 1949 | C.N. Annadurai |
| AIADMK | Tamil Nadu | 1972 | M.G. Ramachandran |
| BJD | Odisha | 1997 | Naveen Patnaik |
Role of Political Parties
- Represent people in governance
- Form governments
- Frame policies
- Provide opposition
Memory Line: “Parties = Pillars of Representative Democracy”
Exam Trap: TDP founded in 1982, not after state bifurcation.
Outcomes of Democracy
| Outcome | Description | Indian Example |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | Govt answerable | RTI Act 2005 |
| Equality | Social justice | Reservation policy |
| Development | Economic growth | Digital India program |
- Democracy promotes dignity of citizens.
- Encourages public participation.
Memory Line: “Democracy = Dignity + Development + Participation”
Exam Trap: Democracy doesn’t guarantee fast growth but ensures fair governance.