Diversity and Discrimination - Polity NCERT Notes for UPSC

Inequality and Discrimination

Reasons for Discrimination

• Discrimination happens when people act on their prejudices or stereotypes. 
• Inferiority complex: Groups of people, who may speak a certain language, follow a particular religion, live in specific regions etc., may be discriminated against as their customs or practices may be seen as inferior. 
• Different economic backgrounds: This difference is not a form of diversity but of inequality. People who are poor do not have the resources or the money to meet their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. They experience discrimination in offices, in hospitals, schools etc., where they are treated badly because they are poor. 

On being Discriminated Against

• Different value of work: Activities like cleaning, washing, cutting hair, picking garbage are seen as tasks that are of less value and people who do this work are seen as dirty or impure. 
• Caste system:
  • In the caste system, communities/groups of people were placed in a sort of ladder where each caste was either above or below the other. 
  • Those who placed themselves at the top of this ladder called themselves upper caste and saw themselves as superior. 
  • The groups who were placed at the bottom of the ladder were seen as unworthy and called "untouchables".
  • Inequality: Caste rules were set which did not allow the so-called "untouchables" to take on work, other than what they were meant to do. For example, some groups were forced to pick garbage and remove dead animals from the village. But they were not allowed to enter the homes of the upper castes or take water from the village well.

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Striving for Equality

• During Freedom Struggle
  • The struggle for freedom from British rule also included within it the struggle of large groups of people who not only fought against the British but also fought to be treated more equally such as Dalits, women, tribals and peasants etc. 
  • For example; many Dalits organised themselves to gain entry into temples, women demanded right to education etc. 
• After independence 

When India became a nation in 1947 our leaders too were concerned about the different kinds of inequalities. So, they tried different ways to promote equality such as 

• Our Constitution makers set out a vision and goals in the Constitution to ensure that all the people of India were considered equal. 
• Everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
• Untouchability is seen as a crime and has been legally abolished by law. 
• People are free to choose the kind of work they wish to do. 
• Government jobs are open to all people. 
• In addition, the Constitution also placed responsibility on the government to take specific steps to realize this right to equality for poor and other such marginal communities. 
• Respecting diversity: The writers of the Constitution felt that people must have the freedom to follow their religion, speak their language, celebrate their festivals and express themselves freely. 
• No one language, religion or festival should become compulsory for all to follow.
• Government must treat all religions equally. Therefore, India became a secular country where people of different religions and faiths have the freedom to practice and follow their religion without any fear of discrimination. 

Interesting Points

• A book “Why are you afraid to hold my hand” is written by Sheila Dhir.
• Dalit: It means those who have been 'broken'. The government refers to this group of people as Scheduled Castes (SC).
• Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar (1891-1956):

• He was born into the Mahar caste, which was considered untouchable.
• He encouraged Dalits to send their children to school and college.
• He fought for the rights of the Dalit community.
• He is considered as the father of the Indian Constitution.
• Later in life, he converted to Buddhism in his search for a religion that treated all members equally. 

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