NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4 Gender Religion And Caste
Question 1. What are the main reasons for the great change in the caste system?
Or
“Over the past years, great changes have been observed in the caste system.” Justify.
Answer:
The great changes in the caste system are partly due to the efforts of political leaders and social reformers such as Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar, and Periyar Ramaswami and partly due to other socio-economic changes in castes and caste system in modem India.
With economic development, large-scale urbanization, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility, and the weakening of 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. The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination and laid the foundations of policies to reverse the injustices of the caste system.
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If a person who lived a century ago were to return to India, would be greatly surprised at the change that has come about in the country.
Question 2. “It is not politics that gets caste hidden, it is the caste that gets politicized.” Comment.
Answer:
In India, politics do not ride on casteism but in reality, casteism dominates politics. It means casteism is more harmful than the political system. We arguments:
- There are certain pressure groups that are totally based on respective caste
and they work and make political decisions only keeping in view the favor and
interest of their own class-fellows - There are certain political parties which are mainly supported by certain
castes- only. - For example in Tamil Nadu AIADMK is mainly a political party of Brahmans while the DMK is a political party of non-Brahmans. Similarly, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is considered a political party of Dalits mainly
- All political parties choose their candidates to contest elections; keeping in view
the total number of voters of caste. - Voters cast their votes keeping in mind their own caste.
- Even ministers are appointed on the basis of caste.
Question 3. Is the caste system coming to an end? Explain.
Answer:
It is right that the caste system is declining but has not come to an end. It is so because of the fact that caste system is deeply rooted in our society and cannot be eradicated very easily.
People still prefer to adopt the occupation of their family or caste. Even in the modern age, people hesitate to marry out of their caste; instead, they like to within their caste. They never like to keep relations with the people of lower castes.
All of these are the main features of the caste system In other words, the caste system has not come to an end but is strengthening its position. Even politicians. are using the caste system as the main weapon in winning the elections. So caste system has lost its importance to a great extent socially but has not come to an end politically.
Question 4. What is gender division? How has it shaped politics?
Or
How does gender division shape politics? Explain in your own words.
Answer:
Gender division is a form of hierarchical social division. It is generally understood as natural and unchangeable and is based on social expectations. Although women constitute half of humanity, their role in public life, especially politics is minimal in most societies because of gender division.
Earlier only men participated in public affairs, voted, and contested for public offices. Gradually, the gender issue was raised in politics. There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women.
These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career prospects. In Norway, the participation of women in public life is very high.
Many radical women’s movements, women’s organizations, and activists have been demanding more women to control power by having more women as elected representatives. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third of seats for women in local government bodies.
Question 5. What is the status of women in politics?
Or
Describe the status of women in politics.
Answer:.
India is among the bottom group of nations in the world in women’s representation in politics. India is behind the averages of several developing countries in Africa and Latin America.
One way to solve this problem is to make it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. That is what Panchayati Raj has done in India. One-third of the seats in the local governments are now reserved for women.
Women’s organisations have been demanding similar reservations of at least one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women A bill with this proposal has been pending before the Parliament for more than a decade This bill has not yet been passed
Question 6. What are the provisions of the Equal Wage Act?
Answer:
The Equal Wage Act was enacted to provide equal status to women. It provides
that equal wages should be paid to equal opportunities be provided to both men and women.
However,in almost all areas of work, from sports and cinema to factories and fields, women are paid less than men, even when both do exactly the same work.
Question 7. If Casteism and Communalism are bad, what makes feminism a good thing? Why don’t we oppose all those who divide society on any lines, caste, religion, or gender?
Answer:
Students can express their feelings in favor or against the topic. Given below is the view of an unknown individual. Casteism and Communalism are not good, because they are a hindrance in the working of democracy.
Feminism is considered good because it aims to secure equal rights for both men and. Caste is fixed by birth. A person cannot change their, or her caste until his are woman her death.
Question 8. What is the basis of gender division in society?
Answer:.
This is a form of hierarchical social division seen everywhere in most countries. It is rarely recognized in the study of politics. It is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.
Question 9. What are the gains of feminist movements that helped women in raising their status?
Answer:
These movements have helped women in improving their role in public life. Now we find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers, and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for them.
Question 10. What are the reasons for the decline of the caste system?
Answer:
- Social Reform Movement: Many social reform movements were started in the
19th century like Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, etc., they always preached
against the caste system.- The leaders of these reform movements were Swami Dayanand, Swami Vivekanand, Jyotiba Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahatma Gandhi, etc., who denounced the caste system which led to the decline of
the importance of the caste system.
- The leaders of these reform movements were Swami Dayanand, Swami Vivekanand, Jyotiba Phule, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahatma Gandhi, etc., who denounced the caste system which led to the decline of
- Modern education: In earlier times, religious education was important and only higher castes could take advantage. However, with the spread of modern education, religious education came to an end.
- Everyone could avail of education which ended discrimination. Now people are aware of their rights and the eminence of the caste system has broken down.
- Advent Of Many New Occupations: Earlier people opted for the hereditary
occupation. However, due to industrialization and modernization, new occupations came into being. People started to adopt occupations leaving their ancestral occupations which led to the decline of the caste system.
Question 11. I don’t care what my caste is. Why are we discussing all this in the textbook? Are not promoting casteism by talking about caste?
Answer:
Casteism has influenced Indian society. Politics is also under its influence. It has affected the working of democracy. By discussing casteism’s impacts, measures can be suggested to reduce its influence. We are not promoting casteism by talking about it. Some measures are suggested to reduce its influence through textbooks.