GENDER, RELIGION AND CASTE Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3 Social Science SST Note and Exercise NCERT CBSE

 

3: GENDER, RELIGION AND CASTE

 

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter teaches an important democratic principle:

Social diversity is not a threat to democracy. The real issue is how these social differences are expressed in politics.

The chapter studies three major social divisions:

1. Gender Division
2. Religious Division
3. Caste Division

The chapter asks:

• Why do these divisions exist?
• How do they affect politics?
• Are they good or bad for democracy?

Some social divisions help disadvantaged groups gain rights, while others create conflict and hatred.

 

PART 1: GENDER AND POLITICS

 

What is Gender Division?

Most people think differences between men and women are natural.

The chapter argues that:

Gender division is not mainly biological. It is created by society.

Biology only tells us that men and women are physically different.

Society creates expectations such as:

• Women should cook.
• Women should raise children.
• Men should earn money.
• Men should take political decisions.

These expectations create gender inequality.

 

Public–Private Division

This is the central concept of the chapter.

Society divides life into two spheres:

Private Sphere

Inside the home

Includes:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Child care
• Caring for elderly people

Traditionally assigned to women.

 

Public Sphere

Outside the home

Includes:

• Politics
• Government
• Business
• Public decision-making

Traditionally dominated by men.

 

Important Concept

Women do both:

1. Household work
2. Income-generating work

Yet their household work is usually unpaid and invisible.

This creates inequality.

 

Sexual Division of Labour

The chapter says:

Society distributes work according to gender.

Women are expected to do domestic work.

Men are expected to do public work.

This arrangement is called Sexual Division of Labour.

Definition

Sexual Division of Labour:
A system in which household work is mainly performed or organised by women.

 

Why is Household Work a Political Issue?

Many students get confused here.

Political Science normally studies governments and elections.

Then why discuss housework?

The answer:

Because politics is about power.

When men control decisions inside the family and women have less power, it becomes a political issue.

Therefore:

Gender inequality begins inside the family and extends into politics.

 

Women's Struggle for Equality

For centuries women had fewer rights.

They were denied:

• Education
• Voting rights
• Property rights
• Public positions

Women organised movements demanding equality.

These movements are called:

Feminist Movements

 

Goals of Feminist Movements

Political Equality

• Right to vote
• Right to contest elections

Educational Equality

• Equal access to schools and colleges

Economic Equality

• Equal job opportunities
• Equal pay

Social Equality

• Equal treatment inside families

 

Definition

Feminist:

A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.

 

Success of Feminist Movements

Because of these movements:

Women now work as:

• Scientists
• Doctors
• Engineers
• Lawyers
• Professors

Jobs once considered unsuitable for women are now open to them.

 

Patriarchy

This is one of the most important board concepts.

Meaning

Patriarchy means:

A social system where men hold greater power than women.

 

Features of Patriarchy

• Men dominate family decisions.
• Men dominate politics.
• Men dominate economic resources.
• Women have fewer opportunities.

India is still largely patriarchal.

Definition

Patriarchy:
A system that values men more and gives them authority over women.

 

Problems Faced by Women in India

The chapter discusses several inequalities.

These are frequently asked in exams.

 

1. Educational Discrimination

Women have lower literacy rates.

Why?

Because many families:

• Prefer educating sons.
• Spend less on daughters.

Girls often leave school earlier.

 

2. Economic Discrimination

Women work longer hours.

Yet much of their work:

• Is unpaid
• Is not recognised

Example:

A housewife works all day.

But society often says:

"I don't work. I am just a housewife."

This shows how women's labour is undervalued.

 

3. Wage Discrimination

The Equal Remuneration Act says:

Equal work = Equal pay

But in reality:

Women often earn less than men for the same work.

 

4. Sex-Selective Abortion

Many families prefer sons.

As a result:

Female foetuses are aborted before birth.

This has reduced the child sex ratio.

 

5. Violence Against Women

Women face:

• Domestic violence
• Harassment
• Physical abuse
• Exploitation

Even homes are not always safe.

 

Women's Political Representation

A major argument of feminists is:

Problems of women will receive attention only when women participate in decision-making.

Therefore women need political power.

 

Situation in India

Women constitute nearly half the population.

Yet they remain underrepresented in:

• Parliament
• State Assemblies
• Cabinets

 

Reservation in Local Bodies

India introduced reservation in:

• Panchayats
• Municipalities

One-third seats reserved for women.

Result:

Millions of women entered politics.

 

Women's Reservation Act 2023

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

Provides:

33% reservation for women in:

• Lok Sabha
• State Assemblies
• Delhi Assembly

 

Conceptual Conclusion on Gender

The chapter wants students to understand:

Political expression of gender inequality has helped women gain rights.

Therefore gender-based political movements strengthen democracy.

 

PART 2: RELIGION, COMMUNALISM AND POLITICS

 

Religion and Politics

The chapter does NOT say religion should be completely removed from politics.

Instead it says:

Religion can influence politics positively.

Example:

• Moral values
• Justice
• Equality
• Human rights

can inspire political action.

 

Examples

Gandhi's View

Religion should guide politics through ethics and morality.

Not through religious domination.

 

Human Rights Groups

Demand protection of religious minorities.

 

Women's Movements

Demand reform of discriminatory religious laws.

 

When Does Religion Become Dangerous?

Religion becomes dangerous when:

It is used to divide people politically.

This is called Communalism.

 

Communalism

This is one of the most important concepts.

Definition

Communalism is the belief that religion is the main basis of social and political identity.

 

Core Assumptions of Communalism

Communal thinking believes:

1. People of one religion form one community.
2. Their interests are identical.
3. Different religions have conflicting interests.
4. Different religious groups cannot live together equally.

 

Why is Communalism Wrong?

Because every person has many identities.

Example:

A Hindu can also be:

• Poor
• Rich
• Farmer
• Teacher
• Woman
• Student

Religion is only one identity.

 

Forms of Communalism

 

1. Everyday Communalism

Includes:

• Religious stereotypes
• Religious jokes
• Prejudices

This is the mildest form.

 

2. Desire for Political Dominance

Majority community may seek domination.

Minority groups may demand separate political units.

 

3. Political Mobilisation

Political parties use:

• Religious symbols
• Religious leaders
• Fear
• Emotions

to gain votes.

 

4. Communal Violence

Most extreme form.

Includes:

• Riots
• Massacres
• Religious violence

 

Secular State

India adopted secularism to fight communalism.

 

Meaning

A secular state treats all religions equally.

 

Constitutional Features of Secularism

No Official Religion

India has no state religion.

 

Religious Freedom

Citizens can:

• Follow any religion
• Practice any religion
• Propagate any religion
• Follow no religion

 

No Discrimination

Religion cannot be the basis of discrimination.

 

State Can Reform Religion

Government can intervene against discrimination.

Example:

Ban on untouchability.

 

Why is Secularism Important?

It protects:

• Equality
• Democracy
• National unity

Without secularism communalism would threaten India.

 

PART 3: CASTE AND POLITICS

 

What is Caste?

Caste is a hereditary social division.

A person's caste is determined by birth.

Traditionally caste decided:

• Occupation
• Marriage
• Social status

 

Features of Caste System

Occupational Heredity

Children followed parents' occupations.

 

Endogamy

People married within caste.

 

Social Separation

Different castes had restricted social interaction.

 

Hierarchy

Castes ranked from highest to lowest.

 

Untouchability

The lowest castes were treated as untouchables.

They faced:

• Exclusion
• Humiliation
• Discrimination

This was one of the worst features of caste.

 

Social Reformers Against Caste

The chapter highlights:

• Jyotiba Phule
• Mahatma Gandhi
• B. R. Ambedkar
• Periyar E. V. Ramasamy

They fought caste discrimination.

 

Changes in the Caste System

Modernisation weakened caste through:

• Education
• Urbanisation
• Industrialisation
• Constitutional reforms
• Occupational mobility

 

Why Has Caste Not Disappeared?

Because:

Marriage remains caste-based.

Untouchability still exists in some areas.

Economic inequalities continue.

Upper castes generally remain better represented in education and high-paying jobs.

 

Casteism

Definition

Casteism is the belief that caste is the primary basis of social and political identity.

 

Caste in Politics

Political parties often consider caste while:

• Choosing candidates
• Forming governments
• Building vote banks

 

Why Elections Are Not Decided Only by Caste

NCERT clearly rejects this idea.

Reasons:

1. No caste forms majority everywhere.
2. People vote for many reasons.
3. Government performance matters.
4. Leadership matters.
5. Economic interests matter.

 

Politics in Caste

Important NCERT idea:

Politics does not only become caste-ridden. Caste itself becomes politicised.

Meaning:

Politics changes caste identities.

Different castes form:

• Alliances
• Coalitions
• Larger social groups

 

Positive Effects of Caste Politics

• Gives voice to Dalits.
• Gives voice to OBCs.
• Improves representation.
• Helps weaker groups gain power.

 

Negative Effects of Caste Politics

• Encourages caste divisions.
• Creates conflict.
• Leads to violence.
• Diverts attention from development issues.

 

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Exercise Answers

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

Women face discrimination in several areas:

1. Education – Female literacy rate is lower and fewer girls pursue higher education.
2. Employment – Women are underrepresented in highly paid jobs.
3. Wages – Women often receive lower wages than men for the same work.
4. Political Representation – Women have low representation in legislatures.
5. Sex Ratio – Preference for sons leads to sex-selective abortions.
6. Violence and Harassment – Women face domestic violence, exploitation and harassment.
7. Household Burden – Women perform most household work, which remains unpaid and unrecognized.

 

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

(i) Everyday Religious Prejudices

Stereotypes and beliefs about superiority of one religion.

Example: Making negative stereotypes about another religious community.

(ii) Quest for Political Dominance

One religious group seeks political power over others.

Example: Majoritarian politics.

(iii) Political Mobilisation on Religious Lines

Using religion to gather political support.

Example: Election campaigns using religious symbols or leaders.

(iv) Communal Violence

Riots and violence between religious groups.

Example: Communal riots during Partition.

 

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

Caste inequalities continue because:

1. Most people still marry within their caste.
2. Untouchability has not completely disappeared.
3. Upper castes remain better represented in education and high-paying jobs.
4. Lower castes such as SCs and STs continue to face economic disadvantages.
5. Caste remains linked with economic status and social opportunities.

 

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

Reason 1

No parliamentary constituency has a majority of only one caste. Therefore candidates need support from several castes and communities.

Reason 2

People vote on many factors such as:

• Performance of government
• Popularity of leaders
• Political party preference
• Economic interests

Thus caste alone cannot determine election outcomes.

 

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

• Women's representation in legislative bodies remains low.
• Women constituted about 14.36% of Lok Sabha members in 2019.
• Representation in State Assemblies is also low.
• To improve participation, reservation has been provided in local bodies and 33% reservation has been approved through the Women's Reservation Act, 2023.

 

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

Any Two:

1. India has no official religion.
2. All citizens have the freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion.
3. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
4. The state can intervene to ensure equality within religious communities.

 

MCQs

7. When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to:

Answer: (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women

✅ Correct Option: (b)

 

8. In India seats are reserved for women in

Answer: (d) Panchayati Raj bodies

✅ Correct Option: (d)

 

9. Communal politics is based on the belief that:

A. One religion is superior to others. ✔️

B. 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 dominate one religious group over others. ✖️

Answer: (c) A and C

✅ Correct Option: (c)

 

10. Which statement about India's Constitution is wrong?

(a) Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion ✔️

(b) Gives official status to one religion ✖️

(c) Provides freedom to profess any religion ✔️

(d) Ensures equality within religious communities ✔️

Answer: (b) Gives official status to one religion

✅ Correct Option: (b)

 

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

Answer: Caste

✅ Fill in the Blank: Caste

 

12. Match List I with List II

List I	List II
1. Equal rights for women and men	B. Feminist
2. Religion is principal basis of community	A. Communalist
3. Caste is principal basis of community	D. Castiest
4. Does not discriminate on religious grounds	C. Secularist

Thus:

1	2	3	4
B	A	D	C

Answer: (b) B A D C

✅ Correct Option: (b)

 

 

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