1. Gender division
This is a form of hierarchical social division seen everywhere
This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OFLABOUR
their role in public life,especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
Women in different parts of the world organised and agitated for equal rights
More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life
as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers,
managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered
suitable for women

2. Traces of gender discrimination
l The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent
among men
the proportion of women among the highly paid and valued jobs is still very
small
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976women are paid less than men, even when
both do exactly the same work
In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons
There are reports of various kinds harassment, exploitation and violence against
women.

3. Political representation of women
unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention.
For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has crossed 10 per cent
of its total strength
Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5percentage
cabinets are largely all-male

4. Efforts
it legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies
One-third of seats in local government bodies – in panchayats
A bill with this( one third reservation) proposal has been pending before the Parliament for
more than a decade

5. relationship between religion and politics
Gandhiji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.
Human rights groups in our country have argued that most of the victims of communal riots in
our country are people from religious minorities.
Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women.
Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should pay al role in
politics
treat every religion equally

6. communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen as the basis of the nation.
religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms
beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions
state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest
The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community
It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social
community community

7. various
forms in politics:
and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions
For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance
Political mobilisation on religious lines
Sometimes communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence

8. Secular state
There is no official religion for the Indian state.
The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and
propagate any religion
The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion
At the same time, the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in
order to ensure equality

9. caste
hereditary occupational division was sanctioned by rituals
practiced the same or similar occupation, married within the caste group and did not eat with
members from other caste groups.

10. socio-economic changes,
large scale URBANISATION, 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. The
Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination

11. aspects of caste have persisted
most people marry within their own caste or tribe.
Untouchability has not ended completely, despite constitutional prohibition
lagged behind in modern education
closely linked to economic status

12. various forms in politics
When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the
electorate and nominate candidates from different castes
Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiment political leaders to
gear up
to the task of mobilising and securing political support

13. Arguments against
No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste.
No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste or communit
Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste
The ruling party and the sitting MP or MLA frequently lose elections in our country
The voters have strong attachment to political parties

14. Politics in caste
Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within it neighbouring castes or sub-
castes
Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes
New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like ‘backward’ and ‘forward’
caste groups.