Social Issues Handout-6 (Class-7) 2023-24 Batch-Sahil Goyal

Communalism

Reasons for Communalism in India

• Historical Background
o Religious revivalism
o Policy of divide and rule
o Partition of India
o Appealing masses in the name of comunalism
• Linking politics with religion- political communalism
o Religion is used as a means to acquire political power
▪ Elites mobilize masses in the name of power
o Right wing political parties -usually follow agenda of majoritarianism
▪ Act, rules policies favoring majority at the cost of minority
▪ Can also go to the extent of trying to assimilate minorities into the
culture of majority (imposing beef ban and cow vigilantism)
▪ Political parties link nation with religion, any attack of religion is
considered as an attack on nation itself
• Lack of inclusive growth creating inequalities and feeling of relative deprivation
among members of minorities- economic communalism
▪ Relative deprivation breeds hatred
▪ As per Sachar committee report 2006, condition of Muslims is worst
than condition of SC/STs
• Jobless growth, unemployment makes radicalization of youth easier
• Negative role played by media-by sensationalization of issue- charges up the
atmosphere communally
• Police is not sensitized towards minorities
o Police is politicized
o No law to deal with mob lynching
o Lack of representation of minorities in police force
• Globalization has increased communal tensions
o Events in one country impact events in another country

Solutions to the problem of communalism

• Politics must be separated for religion

o Code of ethics for political parties
o Strict implementation of Section 123(3) of RPA- declares use of religion
during the time of elections as corrupt practice
o Make separate law on “hate speech” ban use of hate speech during elections

VAJIRAM & RAVI 1

 o Implement MCC of conduct neutrally
• Bring Police reforms
o Police should not be biased against minorities
o Increase representation of minorities in police force
• Inclusive growth
o Skilled development of minorities
o Modernization of madrassas
• Controlling spread of fake news circulating on social media platforms
• Media should self-regulate themselves (code of ethics for Media)
• Uniform civil code

UCC
Why UCC is required?
• A-44 directs the state to bring UCC
• Personal laws are gender discriminating in nature, some even violate human
rights and FR
• PL are subject to misuse
• It will strengthen cultural unity of the country
• Reduce communal tensions- bring homogeneity among diverse groups
• It will promote interfaith marriages- reduce difference between religious groups

Why the state have not been able to bring UCC?

• PL are very dear to a particular religion, attack on religion is considered as an
attack on religion itself
• Diverse customary practices of religious groups- difficult to bring consensus
• Indian model of secularism (state promotes religious diversity and customary
laws are important aspects of religious diversity)
• Customary practices find refuge under the umbrella of article 25

VAJIRAM & RAVI 2

 Secularism

Difference between western and Indian model of secularism

Western model Indian model

State maintains impartiality towards

State maintains apathy towards religion religion i.e, it gives equal treatment to all
i.e state is not concerned about religion religious group
All are equal in the eyes of state

State promotes religious diversity and

State- Neutrality towards religion i.e
also maintains Unity and harmony b/w
state doesn’t promote religious diversity
religious groups

State has right to interfere in religious

Non- interference of state in religious
matters – ERP doctrine
matters
State is a reformist state

State- not concerned about religious State is duty bound to protect religious
minorities and their rights minorities and their rights- A-28,29,30

Right to religion is FR not only to

No FR to religion given by state individuals but also to Denominations A-
25,26

State sometimes follow active model of

India – freedom to follow religious
secularism- Banning use of religious
practices u/a 25, subject to reasonable
symbols in public places-
restrictions (constitutional morality)
Turban and burqa ban in France

VAJIRAM & RAVI 3

 Regionalism

Positive vs Negative regionalism

Encourage people to develop sense of Excessive attachment to a region

brotherhood which helps in development detrimental for unity and integrity of the
of the region nation

Demand for separate state or special Demand for separate state on the
category because the region is backward grounds of religion, ethnicity and other
or underdeveloped cultural identities- Khalistan, nagalim

National interest > Regional interest Regional interest > National interest

No separatist tendencies are seen from Separatist tendencies are seen from the
the nation nation

Locals blame outsiders for

Locals don’t blame outsiders for
underdevelopment & unemployment of
underdevelopment and unemployment in
their region- SONS OF THE SOIL
their region
DOCTRINE

SOLUTIONS to the problems of regionalism

1. Pass interstate water dispute Bill for speedy resolution of cases- Tribunals- time
bound manner
2. Dispute between the states
a. Inter-state council -A263
b. Zonal council
3. Inclusive growth
a. Identify the potential of the region
b. Important role of finance commission- allocation of funds
c. Watershed approach for dryland areas
4. Create autonomous regions within the state instead of creating separate states
a. Eg- Gorkhaland territorial administration (bring it under 6th schedule
areas)
b. Autonomy should be given in true spirit
5. Instead of giving reservations to locals in private jobs- minimum wages for
particular works should be defined by state.

VAJIRAM & RAVI 4

Past year question paper discussion-(just keywords and approach)- SOCIAL ISSUES

2019
1. What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss

Approach
• The question demands the factors which made it possible for it to sustain its
culture from ancient times.
• The word ‘unique’ is used because of the great ancient cultures of the world like
Mesopotamian, Greek, etc. that failed to achieve the feat.
• In intro briefly describe how Indian culture is a continuation of its past culture
without a break.
• Discuss trends that developed in past like caste system, adoption of Islamic
values and modernization of Indian tradition (discussed in handout no 1),
and its continuity in present times
• In the body briefly explain the factors which led to this continuity
• like- harmony, tolerance, liberalism, assimilation of different cultures with
ease- which played a role in the continuation of the culture.
• Allowing different ideas and values to nurture in Indian society like growth
of Buddhism, Jainism, Bhakti movement
• Role of caste in assimilation of various religious groups and tribes
• Accommodation of Islamic values
• However, we still maintained differences, not complete assimilation
• Secularism as the fundamental principle since ancient times
• Tolerance as preached in Buddhism
• In the second part briefly discuss how in recent times Indian society has seen the
emergence of divisive tendencies on the lines of caste, religion, language, region
etc. which stands in sharp contrast with the glorious past.
• Factors like negative regionalism, communalism, caste conflict, etc
• Conclude by stressing the importance of those factors even in the present to help
India maintain its cultural identity- EK Bharat Shreshta Bharat

2. To what extent globalization has impacted the core of cultural diversity in India?
Explain

Approach
• In the intro part define what is Globalization-interconnected trade, ideas and
culture
• Body: give points to explain how globalization has not impacted the core but the
peripheral areas of Indian society

VAJIRAM & RAVI 5

 o Question of old value system by modern value system like triple talaq,
grant of women rights, equality in treatment, religious freedom---main
impact of Globalization
o Language- Adoption of English but people still prefer to speak local
languages
o Movies, Music and dance forms- Netflixization of urban India, but largely
untouched, revival of local dance forms and large preference of local level
music, dance and movies, revival of regionalism
o Dress- Jeansization and modernization of dress but mostly in urban India,
rural india mostly prefer Local attires
o Tribal values and culture-mainly impacted because of Hindusization and
Christianization, not much globalization, except for displacement during
development and mining project
o Religion- most religious festivals intact, however accommodation of
western festivals like celebration of father’s day, mother’s day, valentine
days
o Family- largely Jointness maintained, no major nuclearization
o Marriage- Most impacted sector, change in age of marriage, equal rights of
women, no sati etc
• Conclusion: Mixed response, core largely unaffected, peripheral changes

3. Empowering women is the key to control the population growth. Discuss

Approach
o In the intro, highlight the high TFR and growth rate in India and the need to
control it
▪ Especially in areas like Bihar, UP, Rajasthan, MP, Chattisgarh,
Jharkhand
o In the body, discuss how women empowerment could help in the control of
population growth rate-
▪ it promotes women’s agency, informed decision making- women
becoming contributor in household income
▪ Discuss how SHG movement has helped control population in states
like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (refer class notes)
▪ Independent thinking and resisting the family pressure to have more
babies,
▪ Awareness and informed use of contraceptives
▪ Delay in age of marriage for girls
▪ increase in awareness-all these factors help her decide on giving birth
to a baby.
▪ In the next part cite the statistics from different states of India about
female literacy rate and TFR of that state.

VAJIRAM & RAVI 6

 Conclusion- discuss govt. inititaives for women empowerment like NRLM
(refer class notes)

4. What are challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism?

Approach

• Question has been directly asked from notes (Right to religion vs

Secularism values) and Sabrimala verdict
• In the intro, briefly describe India’s model of secularism which is unique in
itself
• In the body,
o describe instances that involve the conflict between the idea of
secularism and our cultural practices.
o Sabarimala verdict,
o Cultural tradition vs secular tradition-Challenging appointment of
priests on the basis of Agamas,
o Challenging of Triple talaq and polygamy practiced by the Muslims
for long,
o banning of certain food consumed by a section of society by the
government,
o demand for Uniform Civil code,
o Jallikattu issue.
• Conclude by the stressing need to balance the two-role of courts in doing so,
the need for the secular ethos in the society and preservation of our culture

5. Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation. Elaborate with
examples (250 words)
Approach:
• Intro: explain what is the meaning of small India start with accepting the argument
given in the question AND also explain factors which led to this
o Migration for work and employment, freedom of movement A19, tolerance
o Explain idea of melting pot culture
o However effect mainly related to urban and metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai
not in rural areas
• Body:
o Give examples to support you statement
o Delhi- many regional pockets- as per region, Bihari colony in north delhi,
Kallatta colony in south Delhi- chitrranjan park, west delhi being mainly
occupied by Punjabis

VAJIRAM & RAVI 7

 o Explain how once finds local cultural practices, food and dress of that
region
o Multi storey housing in Mumbai and delhi, each storey occupied by a
family from different region
o educational institutions- students from all over India attend premium
institutions like IIT, NIT, IIM
o Multinational organizations have employed people from all India, we find
people from North India finding jobs in South Indian states
▪ One can find many cultural practices of north India in southern
regions, like famous Punjabi restaurants in Chennai
▪ People migrating from south to North is also very common, south
Indian food is very famous in north india
o conclusion:
▪ very good example of Diversity of India and Indian secularism

6. What are continued challenges to women in India against time and space? (250
words)

Approach
• Intro:
o Women in India face many socio-cultural, economical and political
challenges. These challenges can be classified as:
• Body:
• Challenge against time

o Age of practice of patriarchy continue till present times

o Access to health and nutrition to girl since childhood
o Poor access to maternal health care and timely intervention
o No access to education even in present times
o Early marriage
• Challenge against space
o Lack of equal opportunity in jobs- stereotyping of jobs, glass ceiling effects
o Sexual harassment at the workplace:
o Lack of political participation of women: The Indian Parliament currently
has 11.8% women representation, and state assemblies have only 9%.
o Even though the 73rd constitutional amendment act mandates 33% of
panchayat seats to be reserved for women.
• Conclusion: Way Forward
o Awareness generation and sensitization
o SHG movement and gender budgeting
o Maternity benefits and access to menstrual hygine
o Gender-based legislation

VAJIRAM & RAVI 8

 o Women should be respected at home
o Developing and resourcing national plans and policies to address violence
against women.
o Gender-based surveys
o Technological interventions such as improving CCTV coverage in urban
areas, the panic button in smartphones, initiatives such as SHe-Box, etc

7. Are we losing our local identity for global identity? (250 words)

Approach:
Intro: explain globalization is exchange of goods, service but also largely Ideas, values,
culture
Body:
• Explain ideas of increase in travel --- global citizenship and green card holder, dual
citizenship concepts
• Increase in influence of multilateral organizations like- UN, WTO, UNHRC
o WTO- farmer issues
o UNHRC- A370
• Language influence, political leaders giving speech in English –english in schools
to a large extent-pressure of Globalization
• Pressure on dress- homogenization
• Food choices- mcdonaldization, cocacolaization

However, Indian culture has adjusted to global forces a process called glocalization
• Dual citizenship like accepting OCI, NRIs status
• Adjusting to the demands of maultilateral groups demands as per local needs-
Agreement on Agriculture
• Many political leaders giving speech in Hindi in UN GA
• Observance of International Yoga Day on 21st June: This has popularized Yoga
throughout the globe.
• Food habits: McDonald adapted to Indian style by including a vegetarian menu,
recently introduced masala dosa burger
• Music: The fusion of Indo western music is a good amalgamation of Indian as well
as western identity. Indian classical music is being liked all across the world and
it is appreciated at Berklee school of music. SPIC MACAY, an NGO has promoted
the Indian classical music and culture among youth across the world
• Joint family cycle reverting back to joint family

8. How is affordable and efficient urban transport key to rapid economic

development of India? (250 words)

VAJIRAM & RAVI 9

Approach
Intro: Urbanization data and National transport policy- moving people not vehicles
Body: explain the link between urban transport and economic development
• Affordable and efficient transport systems like Metro and Buses have
largely benefited people in cities like Delhi and Mumbai
• Supports urban growth in sub-urbs and facilitates urban sprawl in a
planned manner- TOD concept (refer notes)
• Saves fuel as it discourages use of private vehicles- foreign exchange is
saved
• Faster movement of people saves time and improves efficiency of workers
• Helps in better urban management and decongesting urban areas
• Investment in urban transport infrastructure will create jobs
• Enhances labour access
• Reduces pollution and hence saves Govt effort in diverting resources
towards mitigating pollution
• Reduced global warming
Conclusion: Govt efforts in these direction, TOD, new metro policy, etc

VAJIRAM & RAVI 10