3. Gender, Religion and Caste
The chapter explores the intersections of gender, religion, and caste in the context of Indian democracy, examining how these social divisions manifest in political representation and social inequalities. It highlights the historical and contemporary struggles for gender equality, the impact of communal politics, and the ongoing challenges of caste discrimination, all while emphasizing the importance of inclusive political participation for marginalized groups.
Enroll to start learning
You've not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Sections
Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.
What we have learnt
- Social diversity can enhance democracy but requires proper representation and expression of differences.
- Gender division remains a pivotal issue in politics, often leading to the underrepresentation of women despite their significant contributions.
- Communalism poses a serious threat to democracy by prioritizing one religion over others, while caste dynamics can both facilitate and hinder political representation for marginalized communities.
Key Concepts
- -- Feminist Movements
- Social movements advocating for women's rights and equality in all areas of life.
- -- Communal Politics
- Politics that uses religious affiliations to mobilize support and can create division among communities.
- -- Caste System
- A hierarchical social structure prevalent in India, perpetuating inequalities based on hereditary occupational divisions.
- -- Secular State
- A state that does not favor any religion and provides freedom of religion to all its citizens.
- -- Patriarchy
- A social system in which men hold primary power and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege.
Additional Learning Materials
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.