Short Notes – Class-10-Civics- Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste

Short Notes – Class-10-Civics- Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste

Gender and Politics

·       Gender division is socially constructed and stems from cultural norms rather than biological differences.

·       Women historically faced limited participation in public life and politics due to societal expectations.

·       Feminist movements emerged to advocate for gender equality in various spheres, including politics.

·       Despite progress, women still encounter discrimination, unequal opportunities, and societal biases in political participation.

Women’s Political Representation

·       Women’s representation in political bodies such as Parliament and state assemblies remains disproportionately low.

·       Reservation of seats for women in local government bodies, such as Panchayats and Municipalities, has been instrumental in increasing their participation.

·       Ensuring fair representation of women in elected bodies is essential for addressing gender-specific issues and concerns effectively.

Religion, Communalism, and Politics

·       Religion-based divisions often intersect with politics, influencing electoral dynamics and governance.

·       Communal politics involves leveraging religious identities for political gains, often resulting in polarization and sectarianism.

·       Communalism manifests in various forms, including prejudices, dominance quests, and communal violence.

·       India’s secular state model aims to maintain religious neutrality and uphold principles of religious freedom and equality.

Caste and Politics

·       Caste-based inequalities historically characterized Indian society, with rigid social hierarchies and discrimination.

·       Constitutional provisions and affirmative action policies aim to address caste-based discrimination and uplift marginalized communities.

·       Caste plays a significant role in electoral politics, influencing candidate selection, voter behavior, and political alliances.

·       While caste considerations are important in elections, other factors such as governance performance and leadership credibility also impact electoral outcomes.

·       Politics interacts with caste dynamics, shaping caste identities, alliances, and negotiations.

·       Caste divisions in politics can sometimes exacerbate social tensions and conflicts, highlighting the complexities of caste-based politics in India.