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

Very Short Answer -Class-10-Civics- Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste

Q1. “Caste has not still disappeared from contemporary India.” Support the statement with suitable examples.

Ans : Yes, I agree with the statement. Arguments:

a. Most people marry within their own caste or tribe.

b. Untouchability has not ended despite provisions in the constitution.

c. Effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages continue to be felt today.

d. A large mass of low caste people s? till do not have access to education.

e. Caste is continued to be linked to economic status.

(Note: Marks will also be awarded, if somebody disagrees and gives suitable arguments.)

Q2. How does caste get politicised? Give three points.

Ans :a. Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within its neighbouring castes or sub-castes which were earlier excluded from it.

b. Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes or communities and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation. .

c. New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political area like ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ caste groups.

Q3. Explain the impact of caste system on Indian democracy.

Ans :Impact of caste system on Indian democracy:

a. Expression of caste differences in politics gives many disadvantaged communities the space to demand this share of power. In this sense, caste politics has helped people from Dalits and OBC caste to gain better access to decision-making.

b. Several political and non-political organizations have been demanding and agitating for an end to discrimination against particular castes, for mere dignity and more access to land, resources and opportunities.

c. Exclusive attention can produce negative results as well. It can divert attention from other pressing issues such as poverty, development and corruption. In some cases it leads to violence.

Q4. Define communalism. Explain any three forms of Communalism in the Indian Politics.

Ans : Communalism is a situation when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. Various forms of communalism in politics :

 a. The most common expression of communalism is in every day beliefs.

 b. A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community.

c. Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeals and plan fear.

Q5. Why are caste barriers breaking down in India? Explain with three reasons.

 Ans : Caste barriers are breaking down in India due to the following reasons:

a. With the economic development, large scale urbanisation, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down.

b. Due to socio-economic changes, i.e., now, most of the times, in urban areas it does not matter much who is walking along next to us on street or eating at the next table in a restaurant.

c. The Constitution of India prohibited any caste based discrimination and laid the foundations of policies to reserve the injustices of the caste system.

Q6. Assess the influences of politics on caste system.

Ans :Influence of politics on Caste:

a. Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within it sub-castes.

b. Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other caste or communities.

c. New kinds of caste groups have entered politics like ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ castes.

d. Politics in caste has allowed many disadvantaged caste groups to demand heir share of power. Caste politics has helped the Dalits and OBCs to gain better access to decision-making.

Q7. How are religious differences expressed in politics?

Ans : The religious differences are often expressed in the field of politics, i.e.

a. Gandhiji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics, what he meant by religion was not any particular religion like Hinduism or Islam, but moral values that inform all religions.

He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.

b. Human right groups in our country have argued that most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities.

They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.

c. Women’s movement has agreed that family laws of all religions discriminate against women, so they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.

Q8. What is communalism? How is communalism a hindrance in the functioning of our democracy? Explain.

Ans : Communalism: When beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions, when the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest, we call it as communalism. Communalism is a hindrance in the functioning of our democracy as:

a. Communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them fias to dominate the lest or they have to form different nation.

b. Any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Q9. How can religion be a source of danger to democratic politics? Explain your view points.

Ans : Communalism can pose a great threat to Indian democracy as:

 a. It leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.

b. Any attempt to bring followers of one religion together in a context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Q10.Suggest any three measures to enhance the participation of women in politics?

Ans : a. Women should be given proper education, so that they are aware of their rights and duties and participate actively in all political occasions.

b. Every woman should be self-reliant, so that she enjoys a respectable position in the society and is confident about her meaningful contribution in politics as well.

c. It should be legally binding to have a fair proportion of woman in the elected bodies. That is why L’3rd of seats in local government bodies in panchayats and in municipalities are now reserved for women.