Chapter 3: Gender, Religion, and Caste Civics Ncert Class 10th notes

Introduction

The chapter “Gender, Religion, and Caste” explores how these three social differences affect politics and democracy. Social diversity is an inherent aspect of human society. While democracy promises equality, certain social differences may lead to discrimination and exclusion. In India, gender, religion, and caste significantly influence political behaviors, identities, and state policies. This chapter examines how these factors intersect, affect political representation, and shape the functioning of democratic institutions.

Key Terms

• Gender Equality: Providing equal rights and opportunities to individuals irrespective of their gender, aiming to eliminate all forms of gender-based discrimination.
• Religious Pluralism: A condition where multiple religions coexist peacefully and with equal respect.
• Caste Hierarchy: The hierarchical division of society in India based on caste, traditionally determined by birth.
• Communalism: An ideology that encourages allegiance to one’s own religious community over others, often leading to conflict.
• Secularism: A principle that ensures the state treats all religions equally and is not influenced by religious considerations.
• Affirmative Action: Policies and practices aimed at increasing representation and opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, such as women and marginalized castes.

1. Gender and Politics

Understanding Gender in Society

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles and behaviors associated with males and females. Gender discrimination is rooted in patriarchy, which privileges men over women in various spheres of life—economic, social, political, and cultural.

Political Representation of Women

Women in India have historically been marginalized in the political sphere. Despite constitutional equality, their participation in political institutions and decision-making remains limited. Gender disparities in political representation highlight the need for systemic reforms.

Key Points:

• Representation in Parliament: While women constitute almost half of India’s population, their representation in Parliament and state assemblies remains low. As of the 2019 Lok Sabha, only 14.4% of MPs were women.
  • Example: In local self-government bodies, women’s participation has increased due to reservations. The 73rd and 74th Amendments mandated a 33% reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipalities.
• Challenges: Women often face structural barriers to entry into politics, including societal norms, lack of access to resources, and patriarchal political structures that discourage female participation.

Table: Women’s Representation in Political Institutions (2019)

Political Empowerment through Reservations:

• Success Stories: Women leaders in Panchayats have transformed local governance, addressing issues like sanitation, education, and healthcare that were often ignored.
  • Example: In Haryana, women Sarpanchs have initiated several progressive reforms, such as building toilets in villages and ensuring girls’ education.

Gender Equality in Social and Economic Spheres

• Workforce Participation: Women’s participation in India’s workforce remains significantly lower than men. They often work in informal, unpaid, or undervalued roles.
  • Example: Women constitute around 27% of India’s labor force, with most engaged in agricultural work or unorganized sectors.
• Educational Attainment: Despite improvements in female literacy, gender gaps persist in higher education and employment.
  • Challenges: Early marriages, domestic responsibilities, and lack of access to quality education hinder women’s advancement.

Table: Gender Gap in Workforce Participation

Gender-Based Violence

• Forms of Violence: Women in India face widespread violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry deaths, and female infanticide.
  • Legal Protections: Laws such as the Domestic Violence Act (2005) and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013) exist, but their implementation remains weak.
  • Example: The Nirbhaya case (2012) shocked the nation and led to stricter anti-rape laws. However, incidents of violence against women continue, highlighting the need for societal change.

Add-ons for Better Understanding:

• Global Gender Gap Report 2021: India ranked 140th out of 156 countries, indicating a substantial gender gap in political empowerment, economic participation, and health.
• Case Study: Women-led Panchayats in West Bengal have improved public health infrastructure and ensured better resource allocation for education.

2. Religion and Politics

Interplay Between Religion and Politics

Religion is deeply intertwined with Indian politics. India is a multi-religious country, and the interaction between religion and politics often affects governance and policy-making. While the Indian Constitution enshrines secularism, religious identities continue to shape political behavior.

Key Points:

• Religious Representation: Religious minorities often find themselves underrepresented in political institutions, leading to demands for affirmative action.
  • Constitutional Provisions: Articles 25-28 provide for religious freedom and the right to practice and propagate religion.
  • Secularism: Indian secularism differs from Western notions of secularism. In India, the state does not favor any religion, but it also does not oppose religious practices unless they infringe on basic rights or social reforms.

Secularism and Politics:

• Challenges to Secularism: Political parties sometimes exploit religious sentiments to mobilize votes, leading to communalism and sectarian conflicts.
  • Example: The politicization of the Babri Masjid demolition (1992) led to widespread communal riots.
• Religious Tolerance and Conflict: India has seen several instances of communal violence, often fueled by religious polarization.

Communalism

• Definition: Communalism refers to placing one’s religion above the nation or other communities. It leads to intolerance and conflict between different religious groups.
  • Political Exploitation: Religious identities are often used to polarize voters. Communal parties advocate for the interests of one religious group, leading to social discord.

3. Caste and Politics

Caste-Based Social Inequalities

Caste is a central feature of Indian society. Historically, caste hierarchies dictated social, economic, and political life, placing Dalits (Scheduled Castes) and Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes) at the bottom of the social pyramid. The legacy of this system continues to affect modern political dynamics.

Key Points:

• Caste and Electoral Politics: Caste-based identity plays a significant role in Indian electoral politics. Political parties often align themselves with specific caste groups to build vote banks.
  • Example: In states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, caste-based mobilization has a profound influence on election outcomes.
• Affirmative Action: The Constitution provides affirmative action in the form of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in education, jobs, and political representation.
  • Constitutional Mandates: Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) allow for reservations to ensure adequate representation of marginalized groups.

Table: Reservation Quotas in India

Caste and Social Justice

• Social Movements: Caste-based social movements have played a crucial role in challenging the inequalities entrenched in the caste system. These movements demand social justice, equality, and dignity for all citizens, especially Dalits and backward castes.
  • Example: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s efforts to secure rights for Dalits, including the abolition of untouchability through constitutional means, were monumental in reshaping caste relations.

Politics of Reservation

• Advantages: Reservations have helped marginalized communities gain better access to education, employment, and political representation.
• Criticism: Some argue that the reservation system has created a “vote bank” politics, where parties focus on caste-based appeals rather than addressing broader issues like economic development or governance.

Add-ons for Better Understanding:

• Impact of Caste in Urban and Rural Areas: While caste identities are becoming less prominent in urban areas due to modernization and economic mobility, they continue to play a significant role in rural India.
• Case Study: The Mandal Commission (1980) and its impact on Indian politics, leading to the extension of reservations to OBCs.

Conclusion

The chapter “Gender, Religion, and Caste” illustrates how deeply entrenched social identities shape politics in India. While democracy promotes equality, the intersection of these social factors with politics sometimes leads to discrimination, exclusion, and conflict. The challenge for Indian democracy is to balance these identities and create a more inclusive political and social system.

Key Takeaways:

• Gender, religion, and caste are significant social factors influencing Indian politics.
• Political representation of marginalized groups remains a challenge, despite constitutional safeguards.
• Social justice movements and affirmative action policies have contributed to the empowerment of historically disadvantaged groups.