Gender,
Religion and Caste
Choose the
correct option:
1.
What is the percentage of Hindus in India,
as per the 2001 Census?
(a) 13.4 (b) 80.5 (c) 90.2 (d) 91
2.
Family laws deal with
(a) marriage and divorce (b)
adoption (c) inheritance (d) all of the above
3.
In India, the representation of women in legislature
has been
(a) moderate (b) high (c) low (d) very low
4.
The system where father is the head of the
family is called
(a) hierarchy (b)
matriarchy (c) patriarchy (d)
monarchy
5.
Jotiba Phule was a/an
(a) social reformer (b)
political leader
(c)
educationist (d) environmentalist
6.
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.
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.
8.
The distinguishing feature of communalism
is:
(a) Followers of a particular religion must belong to one community.
(b) Communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different
religions can live as equal citizens within one nation.
(c) A communal mind does not lead to quest for political dominance of one’s own
religious community.
(d) A secular constitution is sufficient combat communalism.
9.
Which leaders worked for the elimination of
caste system in India?
(a) Jotiba Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Periyar Ram as warn
Naicker
(b) Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Jotiba Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Swami Vivekanand, Jotiba Phule and Raja Ram Mohan Roy
10.
“A woman or a man who believes in equal
rights and opportunities for men and women.” Select the correct option for the
definition.
(a) Feminist (b) Patriarchy (c) Caste hierarchy (d) Social change
11.
What step taken to provide representation
to women in Panchayats and Municipalities?
(a) Reservation for election to half of the seats for women
(b) Appointment of 1/3 women members
(c) Reservation for election to 1/3 of the seats for women
(d) None of the above
12.
In which of these categories of work do you
think less time is spent by men?
(a) Household and related work (b)
Sleep, self-care, reading etc.
(c) Income-generating work (d)
Talking and gossiping
13.
Indian society is of which type?
(a) A matriarchal society (b)
A patriarchal society
(c) A fraternal society (d)
None of these
14.
What is the result of political expression
of gender division?
(a) Has helped to improve women’s role in public life
(b) Has provided a superior status to women
(c) The position remains the same, as it was
(d) None of the above
15.
What is mean by the term ‘Feminist’?
(a) Having the qualities considered typical of women.
(b) A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and
men.
(c) The belief that men and women are equal.
(d) Men who look like women.
16.
Which of these matters deal with the
‘Family Laws’?
(a) Marriage and divorce (b)
Adoption (c) Inheritance (d) All of these
17.
Which of these is true about the most ugly
form of communalism?
(a) Communal violence (b) Riots (c) Massacre (d) All the above
18.
What is leading to the breakdown of caste
hierarchy?
(a) Large-scale urbanisation (b)
Growth of literacy and education
(c) Occupational mobility (d)
All of the above
19.
The percentage of elected women members in
the Lok Sabha has never reached what per cent of its total strength?
(a) 25% (b) 15% (c) 10% (d) 5%
20.
In some places in India, by how much the
child sex ratio has fallen to as low as?
(a) 927 (b) 840 (c) 820 (d) 800
Picture-based Questions:
Question 1.
Look at the following cartoon taken from the NCERT Textbook Page 53 and answer
the question that follow:
Answer:
No. They are not right in anyway. They should be
above caste feelings and try their best in establishing a casteless society.
Needless to say, that if caste is the base of society and election, it will
only hamper the growth of the country. Political leaders should not do anything
that undermines the value of democracy. They should be broad-minded and do work
for the welfare of the entire nation.
Question 2.
Do you think that political leaders are right to treat people belonging to a
caste as ‘vote banks’?
Look at the following picture taken from the NCERT Textbook Page 54 and answer
the question that follow:
What was aparthied? How was it oppressive for the blacks in South Africa?
Answer:
Aparthied was a former policy of racial segregation in South Africa. The White
Europeans imposed this system on South Africa. This system was very oppressive for
the blacks as it divided the people and labelled them on the basis of their
skin colour. The white rulers treated the blacks and other non-whites as
inferiors. They were forbidden from living in white areas.
They did not
have voting rights. Trains, buses, hotels, hospitals, beaches, swimming pools
were all separate for the whites and the blacks. The schools and hospitals
meant for the blacks did not have proper facilities. Blacks could not even
protest against the terrible treatment. Thus, they were forced to lead a very
tough and miserable life.
It was only due
to the efforts of Nelson Mandela, that
freed them from such an oppressive system.
2016
Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]
Question 1.
Suggest any two measures to check casteism in India.
Answer:
The following are the two measures to check casteism in India.
Spread of
education: Education upgrades one’s level of thinking
and helps in eradicating the misconceptions of one’s mind. All possible steps
should be taken to educate the masses.
Economic
equality: Inequality in the economic life creates the
feeling of superiority and inferiority among the members of different caste
groups. Steps need to be taken to maintain economic equality of all castes.
Abolition of
Reservation Policy: Reservation in
government job, education and other sectors creates conflicting attitude among
the members of two different castes. When the people of higher castes having
adequate educational qualification are deprived of all facilities, they revolt
against the lower caste people.
Political
reforms: Political leaders and parties based on caste
should be banned from the political horiQuestion on.
The
name and aim of educational institutions referring to castes need to be given
up.
Question 2.
How can religion be used in politics in a positive manner? Express your view
point.
Answer:
Politics and religion can be a deadly combination if not used wisely. It should
be for the good of the people rather than used as a weapon to settle
scores. Religion can be used in politics in a positive manner in the
following ways.
Politics
should be guided by the ethics and values of religion.
We
should raise our demands as a religious community but not at the cost of other
religions.
Political
leaders should also ensure that religion is not used as a medium of oppression
and discrimination. They should have equal response to different religious
conflicts or demands.
Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]
Question 3.
Why are caste barriers breaking down in India? Explain any five reasons.
Answer:
In the recent decades, cast barriers have been breaking down in India
because of the following reasons.
It has been
the efforts of social reformers that people have realiQuestion ed the caste
based differences had no logic.
The
economic development, large scale urbaniQuestion ation and occupational
mobility has further erased the caste barriers.
Spread of
literacy and education has also played a great role in upgrading the beliefs
and ideologies of the people.
Complete
eradication of landlordism has resulted in the decline of caste system.
The
constitutional provision of prohibiting caste based discriminations in every
form and providing equal opportunities to all has reversed the caste
injustices.
Question 4.
How is gender division understood in Indian society? To what extent does
political mobiliQuestion ation on gender basis help to improve women’s role in
public life?
Answer:
In the Indian society gender division is taken as a socially constructed basis
to differentiate between the roles played by men and women. Sexual division of
work has become the mindset of the society. Because of this women face
discrimination and have become the victim of the patriarchal system.
Even after adopting the concepts of equality and liberty, we lack practical
approach. It is therefore necessary that political mobilisation helps to
improve women’s role in public life. Political parties should come together to
frame policies for equal representation of women in the national and local
politics. This will widen the horiQuestion on for women. Taking part in the
decision making will encourage them in their day-today affairs. They will
develop a sense of maturity and responsibility.
2015
Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]
Question 5.
Is the caste system coming to an end in India? Give arguments in support of
your answer.
Answer:
No, I do not think that the caste system is coming to an end in India. From
time immemorial, the caste system has been an inseparable part of Indian
society and has been deeply rooted in our culture. It is entrenched in the
society and brings about discrimination. Even though a number of government
policies have been implemented, the caste system has not been completely
eradicated.
The following are the instances to support this argument.
Even though
the constitution provides for various provisions for marrying outside the
caste, most people in India still marry in their caste.
CitiQuestion
ens of the country, while casting their votes, usually vote for a candidate of
their own caste, rather than any other caste irrespective of the credibility of
the candidate.
Political
parties keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate before choosing a
candidate to represent their party so as to get necessary support for
benefiting their election spree.
Untouchability
still has not completely eradicated from the Indian society even though the
constitution prohibits any kind of untouchability.
Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]
Question 6.
Describe three advantages and two disadvantages of the political expression of
caste differences.
Answer:
The following are the advantages of the political expression of caste
differences.
In the
present times, several political and non-political organiQuestion ations have
fought discrimination against particular castes, for more dignity and more
access to land, resources and opportunities for the people from lower caste,
who were not given equal status and opportunity like the uppercaste people.
In some
situations, expression of caste differences in politics gives many
disadvantaged communities the space to demand their share of power. Usually it
is seen that the disadvantaged communities are not able to exercise their
rights but because of political representation of such caste differences, the
oppressed people get to put forward their rights to get what they deserve.
The
following are the disadvantages of the political expression of caste
differences.
In case of
religion, politics based on caste identity alone is not very healthy in
democracy. It can divert attention from other pressing issues such as poverty,
development and corruption. Because caste is not the only issue that is causing
a hindrance in the society there are various issues that need to be given equal
importance.
In
some cases, caste differences lead to caste division, which further leads to
violence and tension among the people of different caste and that might lead to
outburst of riots in the society.
Question 7.
Explain any five aspects of our day-to-day life in which women are
discriminated against in India.
Answer:
The following points sum up how women are still discriminated against and
oppressed in India.
Literacy
rate: The first and foremost discrimination is in
the field of education where the literacy rate among women is only 66 per cent
when compared to a high 82 per cent in males. Even otherwise, parents prefer
educating spending their resources of education of a male child rather than a female
child.
Sex ratio: The sex ratio in India is as low as 940 females per
1000 males. The proportion of women as compared to men is very low. A major
reason behind this is that parents prefer having a male child over a female
child keeping in view the future perspective.
Unpaid work: The proportion of highly-paid women is very less
when compared to highly-paid men. Though on an average, Indian women work one
hour more than men every day but they are not equally paid and thus their work
is also not often valued as much as that of men.
Domestic
violence: Women every day in Indian society are
harassed, exploited, and subjected to all sorts of violence behind the closed
doors. Both in urban and rural areas, domestic violence is one of the most
prominent form of discrimination faced by women. Many cases of domestic
violence and dowry deaths are reported in the media every day.
Female
foeticide: In India, a male child is considered a
blessing and a female child is considered a bane. This has come to an extent
where the female child is killed in the womb of the mother. This killing of
foetus is known as foeticide. Female foeticide is prevalent in both urban and
rural areas.
2014
Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]
Question 8.
“Women in the Indian society still suffer from discrimination and oppression.”
Support the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
The following points sum up how women are still discriminated against and
oppressed in India.
Literacy
rate: The first and foremost discrimination is in
the field of education where the literacy rate among women is only 66 per cent
when compared to a high 82 per cent in males. Even otherwise, parents prefer
educating spending their resources of education of a male child rather than a
female child.
Sex ratio: The sex ratio in India is as low as 940 females per
1000 males. The proportion of women as compared to men is very low. A major
reason behind this is that parents prefer having a male child over a female
child keeping in view the future perspective.
Unpaid work: The proportion of highly-paid women is very less
when compared to highly-paid men. Though on an average, Indian women work one
hour more than men every day but they are not equally paid and thus their work
is also not often valued as much as that of men.
Domestic
violence: Women every day in Indian society are harassed,
exploited, and subjected to all sorts of violence behind the closed doors. Both
in urban and rural areas, domestic violence is one of the most prominent form
of discrimination faced by women. Many cases of domestic violence and dowry
deaths are reported in the media every day.
Female
foeticide: In India, a male child is considered a
blessing and a female child is considered a bane. This has come to an extent
where the female child is killed in the womb of the mother. This killing of
foetus is known as foeticide. Female foeticide is prevalent in both urban and
rural areas.
2012
Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]
Question 9.
Describe any five ways in which women in India are still discriminated against
and oppressed.
Answer:
The following points sum up how women are still discriminated against and
oppressed in India.
Literacy
rate: The first and foremost discrimination is in
the field of education where the literacy rate among women is only 66 per cent
when compared to a high 82 per cent in males. Even otherwise, parents prefer
educating spending their resources of education of a male child rather than a
female child.
Sex
ratio: The sex ratio in India is as low as 940
females per 1000 males. The proportion of women as compared to men is very low.
A major reason behind this is that parents prefer having a male child over a
female child keeping in view the future perspective.
Unpaid work: The proportion of highly-paid women is very less
when compared to highly-paid men. Though on an average, Indian women work one
hour more than men every day but they are not equally paid and thus their work
is also not often valued as much as that of men.
Domestic
violence: Women every day in Indian society are
harassed, exploited, and subjected to all sorts of violence behind the closed
doors. Both in urban and rural areas, domestic violence is one of the most
prominent form of discrimination faced by women. Many cases of domestic
violence and dowry deaths are reported in the media every day.
Female
foeticide: In India, a male child is considered a
blessing and a female child is considered a bane. This has come to an extent
where the female child is killed in the womb of the mother. This killing of
foetus is known as foeticide. Female foeticide is prevalent in both urban and
rural areas.
Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]
Question 10.
What are the problems faced by Indian women which affect their social status?
Explain any five.
Answer:
The following points sum up how women are still discriminated against and
oppressed in India.
Literacy
rate: The first and foremost discrimination is in
the field of education where the literacy rate among women is only 66 per cent
when compared to a high 82 per cent in males. Even otherwise, parents prefer
educating spending their resources of education of a male child rather than a
female child.
Sex
ratio: The sex ratio in India is as low as 940
females per 1000 males. The proportion of women as compared to men is very low.
A major reason behind this is that parents prefer having a male child over a
female child keeping in view the future perspective.
Unpaid work: The proportion of highly-paid women is very less
when compared to highly-paid men. Though on an average, Indian women work one
hour more than men every day but they are not equally paid and thus their work
is also not often valued as much as that of men.
Domestic
violence: Women every day in Indian society are harassed,
exploited, and subjected to all sorts of violence behind the closed doors. Both
in urban and rural areas, domestic violence is one of the most prominent form
of discrimination faced by women. Many cases of domestic violence and dowry
deaths are reported in the media every day.
Female
foeticide: In India, a male child is considered a
blessing and a female child is considered a bane. This has come to an extent
where the female child is killed in the womb of the mother. This killing of
foetus is known as foeticide. Female foeticide is prevalent in both urban and
rural areas.
Question 11.
Explain any five reasons for the declining caste system in India.
Answer:
The following are the five reasons for the declining caste system in India.
Growth of
literacy and education: After industrialiQuestion ation the literacy rate has
increased.
Occupational
mobility: Due to occupational mobility, the new generation takes up occupations
other than those practised by their ancestors.
Large-scale
urbanisation: Shift of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of jobs
and better living conditions.
Efforts made
by leaders and reformers: The political leaders and social reformers worked to
establish a society in which caste inequalities are absent.
Economic
development: Adoption of never technologies from agriculture-based to
industry-based economy and general improvement in living standards.
2011
Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]
Question 12.
Mention any three constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
Answer:
The constitutional provisions which make India a ‘secular state’ are as
follows.
The
Constitution of India does not give special recognition to any religion and
there is no state religion in India, unlike, Christianity in America, and
Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
All
individuals and communities have been given freedom to pradtise, profess and
propagate any religion.
The
Constitution of India has put a ban on any discrimination on the grounds of
religion.
According to
the constitution, the state cannot intervene in the matters of religion to
promote religious equality.
Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]
Question 13.
What forms does communalism take in politics?
Answer:
Communalism is a strong sense of belonging to particular community especially a
religious community, which often leads to extreme behavior or violence towards
others. It cannot tolerate and respect people belonging to different religious
communities.
There are different forms of communalism in politics as follows.
Communalism
in everyday beliefs: It is the most common
form of communalism and can be in the form of religious prejudices, stereotypes
of religious communities and belief that one religion is superior to other
religions.
Communalism
as Majoritarian Dominance and Political Dominance: A communal mind often leads to quest for political
dominance of one’s own religious community. For people belonging to the
majority community this comes out as ‘Majoritarian dominance’ for those
belonging to the minority community, it can take form of a desire to form a
separate political unit.
Communalism
as political mobalisation: Political mobalisation
on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the
use of sacred symbols, emotional appeals and plain fear in order to bring the
followers of one religion together in political arena.
Communalism
in the form of communal violence: Sometimes,
communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
For instance, India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communial riots at
the time of the partition.
To sum up, it can be said that communalism leads to the belief that people
belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citiQuestion ens within
one nation. Either one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form
different nations.
Question 14.
Define communalism as an ideology. Explain the forms of communalism in
politics.
Answer:
Communalism is a strong sense of belonging to particular community especially a
religious community, which often leads to extreme behavior or violence towards
others. It cannot tolerate and respect people belonging to different religious
communities.
There are different forms of communalism in politics as follows.
Communalism
in everyday beliefs: It is the most common
form of communalism and can be in the form of religious prejudices, stereotypes
of religious communities and belief that one religion is superior to other
religions.
Communalism
as Majoritarian Dominance and Political Dominance: A communal mind often leads to quest for political
dominance of one’s own religious community. For people belonging to the
majority community this comes out as ‘Majoritarian dominance’ for those
belonging to the minority community, it can take form of a desire to form a
separate political unit.
Communalism
as political mobalisation: Political mobalisation
on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the
use of sacred symbols, emotional appeals and plain fear in order to bring the
followers of one religion together in political arena.
Communalism
in the form of communal violence: Sometimes,
communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
For instance, India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communial riots at
the time of the partition.
To sum up, it can be said that communalism leads to the belief that people
belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citiQuestion ens within
one nation. Either one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form
different nations.
2010
Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]
Question 15.
Explain three features of the model of a secular state of India.
Answer:
The concept of a secular state in India purports equal treatment all religions
and to be officially neutral in the matters of religion.
The following are the features which make India a secular state.
Unlike
Christianity in America or Buddhism in Sri Lanka, India does not purport to or
give special recognition to any religion. The Constitution of India has nowhere
prescribed a particular religion.
All
CitiQuestion ens of India and all communities and sects in India have been
given freedom to practise, profess and propagate any religion under the
Fundamental rights of the Constitution.
The
Constitution of India has clearly put a ban on any discrimination on the ground
of religion. It provides for equal opportunity for all individuals irrespective
of their religion.
Question 16.
Explain how the proper representation of women in legislature can solve the
problem of gender-based discrimination in India.
Answer:
The proper representation of women is legislature can solve the problem of
gender-based discrimination in the following ways.
Proper
representation of women in legislature will result in more women- friendly
laws.
Better
policing will help in greater security for women and better law enforcement.
Seeing
women in positions of decision-making is reassuring women empowerment, which
helps to improve their image.
2009
Very Short Answer Type Question [1 Mark]
Question 17.
What is the basis of gender division in the society?
Answer:
Gender division in society is based on the concept of patriarchal society.
Long Answer Type Question [5 Marks]
Question 18.
Describe any four aspects of life in which women are discriminated against in
Indian society.
Answer:
The following points sum up how women are still discriminated against and
oppressed in India.
Literacy
rate: The first and foremost discrimination is in
the field of education where the literacy rate among women is only 66 per cent
when compared to a high 82 per cent in males. Even otherwise, parents prefer
educating spending their resources of education of a male child rather than a
female child.
Sex ratio: The sex ratio in India is as low as 940 females per
1000 males. The proportion of women as compared to men is very low. A major
reason behind this is that parents prefer having a male child over a female
child keeping in view the future perspective.
Unpaid work: The proportion of highly-paid women is very less
when compared to highly-paid men. Though on an average, Indian women work one
hour more than men every day but they are not equally paid and thus their work
is also not often valued as much as that of men.
Domestic
violence: Women every day in Indian society are
harassed, exploited, and subjected to all sorts of violence behind the closed
doors. Both in urban and rural areas, domestic violence is one of the most
prominent form of discrimination faced by women. Many cases of domestic violence
and dowry deaths are reported in the media every day.
Female
foeticide: In India, a male child is considered a
blessing and a female child is considered a bane. This has come to an extent
where the female child is killed in the womb of the mother. This killing of
foetus is known as foeticide. Female foeticide is prevalent in both urban and
rural areas.
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