Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste

Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste

1. Gender and Politics

🔹 What is Gender Division?

• Gender division refers to the social expectations and stereotypes about the roles of men and women.

• It is often considered natural, but it is socially constructed — not based on biology.

• Example: Women are expected to do domestic work; men are expected to work outside.

---

🔹 Public and Private Division

• Traditionally, work at home (private domain) is assigned to women, and public roles are dominated by men.

• Women constitute half of the population, yet their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal.

• Historical trend: Only men could vote and contest elections.

• Modern trend: Women’s issues have become a political agenda.

---

🔹 Feminist Movements

• These are movements led by women demanding equality in personal, family, social, and political life.

• Demands include:

  • Equal pay for equal work

  • Legal rights

  • Protection against domestic violence

  • Career and educational opportunities

---

🔹 Discrimination Against Women in India

• India is a patriarchal society, meaning men dominate in most areas.

• Women face:

  • Lower literacy rate (54% for women vs 76% for men)

  • More working hours (often unpaid or underpaid)

  • Unequal wages (Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 tries to address this)

  • Declining child sex ratio due to sex-selective abortions

  • Lack of safety in urban areas

---

🔹 Political Representation of Women

• Women’s issues are often neglected in politics.

• Many feminists argue that only women in power can address these problems.

• Status in India:

  • Only 12% of Lok Sabha MPs are women (2014 data)

  • Less than 5% in state assemblies

  • 1/3rd reservation in Panchayats and Municipalities (1992)

  • Over 10 lakh elected women in local governments today

Conclusion: Gender division is an example of a social division that, when politicized positively, can empower disadvantaged groups.

---

2. Religion, Communalism and Politics

🔹 Religion in Indian Politics

• India is home to people of many religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.

• In a democracy, people are free to express religious beliefs and form political demands.

---

🔹 What is Communalism?

Communalism is when religion is used in politics to divide people and gain power.

Forms of Communalism:

1. Everyday prejudices — stereotypes about other religions

2. Desire for dominance — one religion wants political control

3. Mobilization using religion — use of sacred symbols, emotional speeches, fear tactics

4. Violence and riots — extreme form; e.g., Partition riots

---

🔹 Effects of Communalism

• Creates distrust and conflict among communities

• Can destroy the secular fabric of democracy

• Undermines national unity

---

🔹 Secularism in India

India is a secular country. This means:

• No official religion

• All religions are treated equally

• Citizens have the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate any religion (or none)

• Discrimination based on religion is prohibited

• The state can intervene in religious matters for social justice

  Example: Untouchability banned, temple entry rights ensured

---

3. Caste and Politics

🔹 What is Caste?

• Caste is a hereditary social system where people are born into specific social groups.

• It determines one’s occupation, marriage, social status, and relations with others.

• The traditional Indian caste system had:

  • Brahmins – priests

  • Kshatriyas – warriors

  • Vaishyas – traders

  • Shudras – servants

  • Dalits – considered outside the caste system

---

🔹 Caste Discrimination

• The caste system led to social exclusion and untouchability.

• The Indian Constitution abolished untouchability (Article 17) and prohibits caste discrimination.

• Policies like reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs are designed to uplift backward castes.

---

🔹 Changing Nature of Caste

Due to:

• Urbanization

• Education

• Economic mobility

• Inter-caste marriage

The rigid caste boundaries are slowly weakening, especially in cities.

---

🔹 Role of Caste in Politics

How caste affects politics:

• Political parties give tickets to candidates based on caste

• Vote-bank politics: Appealing to caste groups

• Caste issues raised in campaigns

How politics affects caste:

• Caste identities become politically active

• New groupings like “backward” vs “forward” castes

• Some castes unite for political power

• Raises awareness among lower castes about their rights

---

🔹 Important Observations:

• Caste matters in politics, but:

  • Voters don’t always vote by caste

  • No caste votes for a party as a whole

  • Candidates need cross-caste support

  • Performance and leadership also influence voting