ON EQUALITY

 

CLASS-VII : SPL-II

 

01.       ON EQUALITY

 

“Self respect is the most vital factor in life. Without it, man is a cipher. Nothing is more disgraceful for a brave man than to live life devoid to self respect.”  ---- B. R. Ambedkar

 

Constitution guarantees equality for all citizens

·       In reality, inequalities are practiced

·       Equality and democracy are dynamic concepts

 

Key of Democratic Government

·       People participation

·       Conflict resolution

·       Equality

 

Universal Adult Franchise:

·       Right to vote based on equality

·       Other equality? (caste, class, religion)

·       Right to vote is there

·       What about right to equal living?

·       What about equal working condition?

·       What about caste identity? – even in minds of educated urban youth

·       What about Dalits?

·       Om Prakash Valmiki’s autobiography- Joothan, experience of growing up as a Dalit boy

 

Recognize Dignity:

·       Unequal treatment violates dignity

·       Self-respect or dignity should be challenged.

 

Equality in Indian Democracy

·       Every individual in India including male and  female persons from all castes, religions, tribes, educational and economic backgrounds are recognized equal.

·       Every person is equal before law

·       No discrimination based on religion, race, caste, place of birth or gender

·       Every person has access to all places

·       Untouchability has been abolished

 

Implementation of Equality by Constitution

·       By laws

·       By Govt. programmes to help disadvantaged communities- greater opportunity

 

 

Some major schemes

·       MDM- in govt. schools for cooked lunch- increased enrollment and attendance . children previously not returned after lunch, mothers can continue the work without interruption, reduce caste prejudice, more employment in schools, arrest the hunger

 

Changing attitude

·       Slow and gradual process

·       Continuous struggle

·       Equality in books must reach the grounds

 

World wide instances

USA: African- Americans (Rosa Parks) Civil Rights Movements- Civil Rights Act in 1964

Africa- Apartheid (Nelson Mandela)

 

Challenges Ahead:

·       Struggle for the recognition of all persons as equal

·       Struggle for their dignity to be maintained.

 

 

 

 

 

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