Q. 10. ‘Politics too influences the caste system.’ Explain.
Ans.
1. Wide base:- Each caste tries to widen its base to gain majority. Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within it, the neighbouring caste or sub-castes which were earlier excluded from it.
2. Coalition:- Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes or communities, and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation. This strengthens the basic structure of democracy.
3. New groups:- New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like backward and forward caste groups.
Q. 11. The rigid caste system is disappearing in India. Explain the major factors responsible for this. Suggest any two ways through which this can further be reduced.
Ans.
1. Social reformers: Social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B.R.Ambedkar, etc. advocated and worked to establish a society in which caste inequalities are absent.
2. Economic factors: With economic development, large scale urbanization, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down. Now, most of the time in urban areas, it does not matter much who is walking along next to us on a street or eating at the next table in a restaurant.
3. Constitution: The constitution of India prohibits discrimination of any type. It provides equal opportunities to all.
4. Fundamental Rights: Provision of fundamental rights has played a major role because these rights are provided to all the citizens without any discrimination.
Q. 12. What forms can caste take in politics?
Ans.
1. While choosing candidates: When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate, and nominate candidates from different castes so as to get necessary support to win elections.
2. While forming a government: When the governments are formed, political parties usually takecare that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.
3. While campaigning: Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to people to give them their votes on the basis of caste. Some political parties are known to favor some caste, and are seen as their representatives.
4. Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote, has compelled the political leaders to raise the caste based issues during elections.
Q.13. Give the measures to remove the inequality of women.
Ans.
1. Women should struggle for their equal rights through movements like Feminist movement.
2. Political participation should be improved by reservation of seats in the legislatures like 33 percent seats should be reserved in all Legislative Assemblies.
Q.14. What are the reasons for the great change in the caste system?
Ans.
1. With the economic development, large scale urbanization, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and the weakening of the position of the landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down.
2. Now, most of the times, in urban areas it does not matter much who is walking along next to us on a street or eating at the next table in a restaurant.
3. The constitution of India also prohibits any caste based discrimination and lays down the foundation of politics to reverse the injustice of the caste system.
Q. 15 Examine the causes of communalism in India.
Ans.
1. Historical background:- A major factor which led to the growth of communalism in India was “British Imperialism”. In keeping with their colonial designs they encouraged the policy of divide and rule. The British encourage communal politics and encouraged communal politics and introduced separate electorates.
2. Socio Economic Causes:- On gaining independence India was an imbalanced, stagnant and underdeveloped country. There emerged competition for the limited resources of the country. Due to poverty it is easy to mobilize people on caste, communal and religious basis to demand a better share.
3. Role of political parties:- many political parties are based on religion and use religion as a vote bank. They keep religious identity and allegiances alive.
Q . 16. “Caste system and politics in India cannot be separated.” Justify.
Ans.
1. There are many caste pressure groups which influences those who are in power by different methods to get their demands met.
2. Caste also plays an important role when candidates are nominated by political parties for a particular constituency.
3. Political parties like the DMK, AIADK and BSP have come up to protect the interests of the backward classes. Even while ministeries are formed, different castes are kept in mind.
4. The SC and ST are given reservations in educations institutions, legislatures and government jobs. This is to remove their historically accumulated backwardness. But it has led to strengthening the casteism and caste identity and reservation conflicts.
