GENDER, RELIGION & CASTE Question-Answers
GENDER, RELIGION & CASTE Question-Answers
Question-Answers
Q1. Describe relationship between religion and politics. Mention three instances. Also
mention its effects.
Answer:
(1) The instances showing relationship between religion and politics are as mentioned
below :
(2) Effects:
1. All these instances involve a relationship between religion and politics. These are not
dangerous ideas.
2. Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and should play a role in
politics.
3. People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a
member of a religious community.
4. The government/state should be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent
discrimination and oppression. Every religion should be treated equally.
Q2. What is a secular state? Explain factors which make India a secular state.
Answer:
Q3. Why the caste barriers are breaking down in India? Explain any five reasons.
Answer:
The reasons for breaking down of caste hierarchy are as mentioned below:
1. Urbanisation : In urban areas, people do not bother who is walking along next to us on
a street or eating at the next table in a restaurant. There is a shift of population from
rural to urban areas.
2. Economic development: As a result of economic development, the economic
condition of lower castes has improved. They live in the areas where people of upper
castes are living in the cities.
3. Occupational mobility : There is a shift from one occupation to another, usually when
a new generation takes up occupations other than those practiced by their ancestors.
This has helped in breaking the caste hierarchy.
4. provisions : The Constitution of India too prohibits discrimination on the basis of
caste. So we find people of different castes working together in offices. Untouchability
is a legal offence. The Constitution laid the foundations of policies to reverse the
injustices of the caste system.
5. The role played by political leaders and social reformers like Jotiba Phule, Mahatma
Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami Naicker was important in this
direction. Gandhiji called untouchable ‘Harijan’. The efforts of these leaders tried to
remove caste-based inequalities from society.
Q4. ‘Gender division is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.’
Support the statement.