In-text Questions
Q1. Why are we discussing things like household work in this textbook on Political Science? Is this politics?
Answer:
Yes, household work is a political issue because politics is about power and the way power is distributed in society. The sexual division of labour within the household, where women do all the unpaid domestic work while men work outside the home, reflects an unequal power relationship. This division keeps women away from public life and decision-making roles, which is a political outcome. Therefore, discussing household work is a way of understanding how gender inequality is created and sustained in society, and how it can be addressed through political action.
Q2. Why not? If politics is about power, then surely male dominance in the household should be considered political.
Answer:
Absolutely. Male dominance in the household is a form of power relationship and therefore political. The gender division of labour that assigns women the role of housework and childcare and men the role of earning and decision-making is not natural but based on social expectations and stereotypes. This patriarchal system gives men power over women within the family. Since politics concerns power and its distribution, male dominance in the household is a political issue that feminist movements have raised. It shows that the personal is political.
Q3. Discuss all these perceptions of an ideal woman that prevail in our society. Do you agree with any of these? If not, what is your image of an ideal woman?
Answer:
In our society, several perceptions of an ideal woman prevail, such as:
- A woman who is devoted to her family and household duties.
- A woman who is obedient, sacrificing and soft-spoken.
- A woman who prioritises the needs of her husband, children and in-laws over her own.
- A woman who is educated but uses her education mainly to be a better homemaker.
These perceptions are based on patriarchal stereotypes and restrict women's freedom and potential. I do not agree with these perceptions. An ideal woman should be one who has the freedom to make her own choices, whether it is about education, career, marriage or family life. She should be treated as an equal individual with the same rights and opportunities as men. My image of an ideal woman is one who is confident, independent and capable of pursuing her own aspirations while also contributing to society in whatever way she chooses.
Q4. Mummy always says to outsiders: "I don't work. I am a housewife." But I see her working non-stop all the time. If what she does is not work, what else is work?
Answer:
This comment exposes the fallacy of the widespread belief that only paid work is 'work'. The mother who says she 'doesn't work' is actually performing back-breaking labour all day—cooking, cleaning, washing, looking after children and managing the household. This work is unpaid, invisible and therefore not valued. It is work in every sense, and the fact that it is not recognised shows how society devalues women's labour. If it were paid, the same work would be considered employment.
Q5. Could you think of some reasons why women's representation is so low in India? Do you think Americas and Europe have achieved a satisfactory level of women's representation?
Answer:
Reasons for low women's representation in India:
- Patriarchal attitudes that consider women unfit for public life and leadership.
- Preference for male candidates by political parties, as they are seen as more likely to win elections.
- Women's lower literacy levels and lack of access to resources and political networks.
- Fear of harassment, violence and character assassination that deters women from entering politics.
- The burden of household responsibilities that leaves women with little time for political work.
Americas and Europe: No, the Americas and Europe have not achieved a satisfactory level of women's representation either. As the graph shows, the Nordic countries have the highest representation at about 42.3 per cent, followed by the Americas at 29.5 per cent and Europe at 26.4 per cent. The world average is 24 per cent. Even in these regions, women do not have parity with men in elected bodies, so satisfaction is not justified.
Q6. If casteism and communalism are bad, what makes feminism a good thing? Why don't we oppose all those who divide the society on any lines – caste, religion or gender?
Answer:
Feminism is different from casteism and communalism in its goal and direction. Casteism and communalism are divisive forces that assert the superiority of one group over others and seek to dominate or exclude other groups. They promote inequality and conflict.
Feminism, on the other hand, challenges the existing unequal power relations between men and women and seeks to establish equality, dignity and justice for women. It does not seek to dominate men or divide society; it seeks to end discrimination and oppression that half of humanity faces. While gender division is a social reality, feminism aims to overcome the disadvantages that arise from it.
We should oppose all those who divide society on caste, religion or gender to dominate others. But we should support movements like feminism, which aim to remove injustice and inequality. The distinction is between divisions that aim at domination (casteism, communalism) and movements that aim at equality and justice (feminism).
Q7. I am not religious. Why should I bother about communalism and secularism?
Answer:
Even if you are not religious, you should bother about communalism and secularism because communalism threatens the very idea of India as a democratic and plural society. Communal politics can lead to violence, riots and discrimination against minorities, which affects everyone, including those who are not religious. A communal atmosphere undermines democracy and the rule of law. Secularism, on the other hand, ensures that the state treats all religions equally and protects the rights of all citizens, whether they follow a religion or not. So, it is in everyone's interest to combat communalism and support secular principles.
Q8. I often crack jokes about people from one religion. Does that make me communal?
Answer:
Cracking jokes about people of a particular religion can be a form of everyday communalism. While a joke by itself may seem harmless, it often promotes stereotypes, prejudices and a sense of superiority of one's own religion over another. Such everyday beliefs and practices contribute to a communal atmosphere where discrimination and hostility against a religious community become normalised. So, even casual jokes can perpetuate communalism and should be avoided. It is important to be sensitive to the feelings of others and not trivialise or mock their faith.
Q9. I don't care what my caste is. Why are we discussing all this in the textbook? Are we not promoting casteism by talking about caste?
Answer:
Not caring about one's caste is a good personal attitude, but ignoring caste in the textbook would not make it disappear from society. Casteism exists in India in the form of discrimination, inequality and violence. It cannot be fought by keeping silent about it. Discussing caste in Political Science helps students understand how caste operates in politics, how it leads to discrimination, and how it can be addressed through democratic means. Talking about caste does not promote casteism; it promotes awareness and helps in finding solutions. As the chapter says, the caste that gets politicised is the issue—not that politics gets caste-ridden.
Q10. Now you don't like it! Didn't you tell me that wherever there is domination, we should discuss it in Political Science? Will caste disappear if we keep mum about it?
Answer:
Yes, wherever there is domination and inequality, it should be discussed in Political Science. Caste involves domination and discrimination, so it must be discussed. Keeping silent about caste will not make it disappear; it will only allow caste-based inequalities to continue unnoticed and unchallenged. Discussing caste openly helps to expose discrimination, promote awareness and work towards a more equal society. The purpose of discussing caste in the textbook is not to promote casteism but to understand it and find ways to end it.
Q11. Do you think that political leaders are right to treat people belonging to a caste as 'vote banks'?
Answer:
No, it is not right to treat people belonging to a caste as mere 'vote banks'. This approach reduces voters to their caste identity and ignores their other concerns, interests and aspirations. It promotes casteism in politics and diverts attention from real issues like poverty, development, education and health. People should be appealed to on the basis of policies, performance and vision, not on the basis of caste or community. However, in practice, political parties do consider caste composition while selecting candidates and making appeals, which shows that caste still matters in Indian politics.
Q12. Can you identify your State on this map? What is the child sex ratio in it? How is it different from others with a different colour? Identify the States which have child sex ratio below 900. Compare this map with the poster on the next page. How do the two of them tell us about the same issue?
Answer:
This is a map-based question. Students should identify their State on the child sex ratio map of India and note its ratio. States with different colours have different child sex ratios—darker colours generally indicate lower ratios. States with a child sex ratio below 900 include Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and others. The poster on the next page (Oxfam GB) likely highlights the issue of declining child sex ratio and the preference for sons. Both the map and the poster tell us about the same issue—gender discrimination leading to sex-selective abortion and the neglect of girl children. They show how deeply patriarchal values affect the survival and status of girls in India.
Exercises
Q1. Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
Answer:
Women in India are discriminated or disadvantaged in the following aspects of life:
- Education: The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. A smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies.
- Work and wages: Women are paid less than men even when both do exactly the same work. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides for equal wages, but it is not implemented properly. An average Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day, yet much of her work is unpaid and not valued.
- Political representation: The proportion of women in legislatures is very low. In 2019, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha touched 14.36 per cent. Their share in State Assemblies is less than 5 per cent.
- Health and survival: Sex-selective abortion has led to a decline in child sex ratio to merely 919. In some States, it has fallen below 850 or even 800.
- Safety and dignity: Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women. They are not safe even within their own homes from beating, harassment and other forms of domestic violence.
- Household work: Women do all the work inside the home—cooking, cleaning, washing, looking after children—which is unpaid and invisible.
Q2. State different forms of communal politics with one example each.
Answer:
Different forms of communal politics are:
- Everyday beliefs: Religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one's religion over other religions. Example: Cracking jokes about people of a particular religion or believing that one's own religion is superior.
- Quest for political dominance: A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one's own religious community. For the majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance; for the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit. Example: Demand for a separate nation based on religion.
- Political mobilisation on religious lines: Use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and fear to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. Example: Special appeal to the interests or emotions of voters of one religion in preference to others during elections.
- Communal violence, riots and massacre: The most ugly form of communalism. Example: India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of Partition; post-Independence India has also seen large-scale communal violence.
Q3. State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
Answer:
Caste inequalities are still continuing in India in the following ways:
- Even now most people marry within their own caste or tribe.
- Untouchability has not ended completely, despite constitutional prohibition.
- Effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages continue to be felt today. The caste groups that had access to education under the old system have done very well in acquiring modern education as well, while those who were prohibited from acquiring it have lagged behind.
- There is a disproportionately large presence of 'upper caste' among the urban middle classes in our country.
- Caste continues to be closely linked to economic status. The average economic status of caste groups still follows the old hierarchy—the 'upper' castes are best off, the Dalits and Adivasis are worst off, and the backward classes are in between.
- The proportion living in extreme poverty is much higher for the lowest castes and much lower for the upper castes.
- The upper castes are heavily over-represented among the rich while the lower castes are severely under-represented.
Q4. State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.
Answer:
Two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India are:
- No parliamentary constituency has a clear majority of one single caste: Every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of more than one caste and community to win elections. No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste or community.
- Other factors matter equally: Voters have strong attachment to political parties, which is often stronger than their attachment to their caste or community. People within the same caste or community have different interests depending on their economic condition. Rich and poor or men and women from the same caste often vote very differently. People's assessment of the performance of the government and the popularity rating of leaders matter and are often decisive in elections.
Q5. What is the status of women's representation in India's legislative bodies?
Answer:
The status of women's representation in India's legislative bodies is very low. The proportion of women in legislatures has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has touched 14.36 per cent of its total strength for the first time in 2019. Their share in the State Assemblies is less than 5 per cent. In this respect, India is among the bottom group of nations in the world. India is behind the averages for several developing countries of Africa and Latin America. In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister. However, in local government bodies—panchayats and municipalities—one-third of seats are reserved for women, and there are now more than 10 lakh elected women representatives. In 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act, 2023) was passed, which will give 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly.
Q6. Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
Answer:
Two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state are:
- There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Islam in Pakistan and Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
- The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any. It also prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
Q7. When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to: (a) Biological difference between men and women (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women (c) Unequal child sex ratio (d) Absence of voting rights for women in democracies
Answer:
The correct answer is (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women.
Gender division is not based on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes. It refers to the unequal roles assigned by society to men and women, such as women being responsible for housework and men for work outside the home.
Q8. In India seats are reserved for women in (a) Lok Sabha (b) State legislative assemblies (c) Cabinets (d) Panchayati Raj bodies
Answer:
The correct answer is (d) Panchayati Raj bodies.
One-third of seats in local government bodies—panchayats and municipalities—are reserved for women. The Women's Reservation Act, 2023 provides for 33 per cent reservation in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and Delhi Assembly, but it is not yet implemented. Currently, reservation for women exists in Panchayati Raj bodies.
Q9. Consider the following statements on the meaning of communal politics. Communal politics is based on the belief that: A. One religion is superior to that of others. B. People belonging to different religions can live together happily as equal citizens. C. Followers of a particular religion constitute one community. D. State power cannot be used to establish the domination of one religious group over others. Which of the statements are correct? (a) A, B, C, and D (b) A, B, and D (c) A and C (d) B and D
Answer:
The correct answer is (c) A and C.
Communal politics is based on the belief that one religion is superior to others (A) and that followers of a particular religion constitute one community (C). Statements B and D are incorrect because communal politics does not believe that people of different religions can live together happily as equal citizens, nor does it believe that state power cannot be used to establish domination of one religious group over others.
Q10. Which among the following statements about India's Constitution is wrong? It (a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. (b) gives official status to one religion. (c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion. (d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.
Answer:
The correct answer is (b) gives official status to one religion.
This statement is wrong. The Indian Constitution does not give official status to any religion. India is a secular state with no official religion. Options (a), (c) and (d) are correct constitutional provisions.
Q11. Social divisions based on _________ are peculiar to India.
Answer:
Social divisions based on caste are peculiar to India.
Q12. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men | A. Communalist |
| 2. A person who says that religion is the principal basis of community | B. Feminist |
| 3. A person who thinks that caste is the principal basis of community | C. Secularist |
| 4. A person who does not discriminate others on the basis of religious beliefs | D. Castiest |
Answer:
The correct answer is (b) B A D C.
The correct matches are:
| List I | Correct Match |
|---|---|
| 1. A person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men | B. Feminist |
| 2. A person who says that religion is the principal basis of community | A. Communalist |
| 3. A person who thinks that caste is the principal basis of community | D. Castiest |
| 4. A person who does not discriminate others on the basis of religious beliefs | C. Secularist |