Class 6 Civics Ch 2: Diversity & Discrimination CBSE

Diversity and Discrimination - Civics Notes for CBSE Class 6

Chapter 2: Social Science - Civics

Chapter Summary

• Understanding Diversity: Diversity means differences among people, like speaking different languages, eating different foods, following different religions, or living in different regions. India is a country of immense diversity.
• How Diversity Enriches Lives: Diversity adds richness to our lives. For example, knowing different languages, foods, and festivals broadens our experiences and understanding of the world.
• Prejudice: Prejudice means to judge other people negatively or to see them as inferior. It often involves forming opinions about people without knowing much about them. For example, believing that one language is superior to others, or that city people are better than village people.
• Stereotypes: A stereotype is a fixed, often oversimplified and negative, idea about a particular type of person or thing. For instance, assuming all people from a certain region are lazy, or that girls are naturally weak. Stereotypes prevent us from seeing people as unique individuals with their own qualities.
• Discrimination: Discrimination happens when people act on their prejudices and stereotypes, treating others unfairly or unequally. It can be seen when people are denied opportunities, prevented from taking water from a common well, or not allowed to live in certain areas.
• Reasons for Discrimination:
  • Poverty: People who are poor often face discrimination.
  • Social Differences: Differences in religion, caste, gender, or region can lead to discrimination.
  • Caste System: Historically, the caste system was a major source of discrimination in India. People were divided into groups based on birth, with 'untouchables' (Dalits) facing severe social exclusion and injustice.
• The Caste System and Dalits:
  • The caste system divided people into a hierarchy: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (labourers).
  • Below these were people considered 'untouchable', now known as Dalits. They were forced to perform tasks considered 'unclean' and faced extreme discrimination, not allowed to enter temples, use common wells, or send their children to school with others.
• Striving for Equality: Throughout history, many people have fought against discrimination and for equality.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956):
  • A key leader in the struggle against caste discrimination.
  • Born into the Dalit community (Mahar caste), he experienced discrimination from a young age.
  • He became the first person from his caste to complete his college education in India and went to England and America for higher studies.
  • He encouraged Dalits to send their children to school and to fight for their rights.
  • He led many temple entry movements and fought for their participation in all spheres of life.
  • He converted to Buddhism late in his life, along with many followers, seeking a religion that treated all its members equally.
  • He is considered the Father of the Indian Constitution and served as the first Law Minister of India.
• The Indian Constitution and Equality:
  • When India became independent, the framers of the Constitution recognized the importance of equality for all citizens.
  • The Constitution states that all persons are equal before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, gender, or place of birth.
  • It also abolished 'untouchability' and made it a crime.
  • The Constitution encourages the government to take special steps to promote equality for marginalized groups, such as providing reservations in education and government jobs.
  • The government has implemented various schemes to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized, working towards making equality a reality.

Questions and Answers

1. Sometime people make strong prejudices about other people. These usually concern their economic class, religion, appearance, etc. Can you list five such prejudices that you have heard? How might these affect the ways in which people are treated?

Answer:

• Prejudice 1: People who speak English are intelligent.
• Prejudice 2: People from villages are uneducated and simple-minded.
• Prejudice 3: People from certain religious groups are fanatics.
• Prejudice 4: Girls are not good at sports, especially cricket or football.
• Prejudice 5: Poor people are lazy and don't want to work.

How these might affect the ways in which people are treated:

• Judging someone as less intelligent because they don't speak English can lead to them being overlooked for jobs or educational opportunities.
• Stereotyping villagers as backward might lead to them being mocked or denied access to city services or considered unsuitable for certain jobs.
• Prejudice against a religious group can lead to social exclusion, denial of housing, or even violence.
• Believing girls are bad at sports can prevent them from joining teams, receiving training, or pursuing sports professionally.
• Thinking poor people are lazy can result in a lack of sympathy for their struggles and opposition to welfare programs designed to help them, further entrenching their poverty.

2. Discuss one way in which you think stereotyping people can affect their chances of getting a job.

Answer: Stereotyping can severely affect people's chances of getting a job. For instance, if there is a stereotype that "women are not good at technical jobs" or "women are too emotional for leadership roles," employers might unconsciously or consciously favour male candidates for such positions, even if a female candidate is more qualified. This stereotype prevents the employer from judging the individual's abilities and skills fairly, based solely on their gender. Similarly, if there's a stereotype that "people from a certain region are not diligent," someone from that region might be unfairly overlooked for a job, irrespective of their actual work ethic.

3. What do you understand by the term 'discrimination'? When does it happen?

Answer: Discrimination refers to the act of treating a person or a group of people unfairly or unequally based on prejudices and stereotypes. It happens when people act on their biased beliefs, causing harm or disadvantage to others. Discrimination occurs when:

• People are denied access to certain services, places, or opportunities (e.g., being denied a house on rent because of their religion).
• People are excluded from social activities or groups (e.g., not being allowed to use a common well or enter a temple).
• People are given less pay for the same work compared to others.
• People are targeted with violence, harassment, or verbal abuse because of their identity.
• Differences in religion, race, caste, gender, economic background, or region lead to unequal treatment.

4. How did Dr. Ambedkar fight against caste discrimination?

Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar fought vigorously against caste discrimination throughout his life:

• Personal Experience: Having experienced discrimination himself as a Dalit (Mahar caste) from childhood, he understood the deep injustices of the system.
• Advocacy for Education: He encouraged Dalits to send their children to school and college, believing education was key to empowerment and overcoming social barriers.
• Leading Movements: He organized and led several temple entry movements, challenging the caste norms that prevented Dalits from entering temples and using public facilities like wells and tanks.
• Political Representation: He demanded separate electorates for Dalits, though later accepted joint electorates with reserved seats, to ensure their political voice.
• Championing Rights: He spoke out against the caste system and its dehumanizing practices in various forums, advocating for the rights and dignity of Dalits.
• Framing the Constitution: As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, he played a pivotal role in embedding the principles of equality, justice, and the abolition of 'untouchability' into the fundamental law of the land.
• Conversion to Buddhism: Towards the end of his life, he converted to Buddhism, along with many followers, in search of a religion that offered equality and rejected the caste system.

5. What do you think the term 'all persons are equal before the law' means? Why do you think it is important in a democracy?

Answer:

The term 'all persons are equal before the law' means that:

• Every individual, regardless of their caste, religion, gender, economic status, or background, is subject to the same laws of the country.
• No person is above the law. Whether it's a President or a common citizen, everyone must obey the same laws.
• The law applies to everyone equally, and everyone has equal access to legal remedies and justice.
• Discrimination by the state or its institutions on any ground is prohibited.

Why it is important in a democracy:

• Ensures Justice: It guarantees that justice is blind and impartial, ensuring that all citizens receive fair treatment.
• Promotes Equality: It is a fundamental principle of democracy that everyone is equal. This concept actively fights against social hierarchies and discrimination.
• Prevents Tyranny: By holding everyone, including those in power, accountable to the same laws, it prevents the misuse of power and the emergence of authoritarian rule.
• Upholds Dignity: It upholds the dignity and self-respect of every individual by assuring them that they are valued equally in the eyes of the state.
• Fosters Trust: When people believe that the law treats everyone fairly, it builds trust in the government and strengthens the democratic process.
• Checks Discrimination: It is a powerful tool to challenge and overcome historical and existing forms of discrimination, ensuring a just and equitable society where everyone has equal opportunities.