Page 158 - SST Class 06
P. 158
Equality 24
q Causes of prejudice, discrimination and inequality q Merit and discrimination
q Respect for diversity and the Constitution of India. q Directive principles of state policy
q Fundamental Rights
Introduction person or group, especially based on their caste,
race, religion, sex etc. It means that some people
India is full of diversities. People speak different
are favoured for while others are biased against
languages, follow different religion, have different
only because they belong to a certain group,
food habits, thoughts and attitudes. This inequality caste, religion, race, sex etc.
in different fields, create negative attitude and
opinion in some of us. It results in building up Discrimination
inequality, prejudice and discrimination. We must not confuse the words ‘prejudice’ and
Understand these certain terms which cause ‘discrimination’. They have distinct meanings.
inequality in different forms. Prejudice means unreasonable dislike or
Diversity preference for a person, group etc., while
discrimination means to treat a particular person
You have studied this in the previous lesson. By or group less fairly. Prejudice may or may not be
‘diversity’ is meant the quality of being different
harmful to a person or group, but discrimination
from others. It is manifested in different forms, as certainly is.
caste, religion, faith, region, occupation,
economic status, educational qualification, sex, F ind Outind Out
eating habits, dresses, culture, language, customs,
traditions etc. Diversity means uniqueness. We What is stereotype?
must respect diversity of different people because Fairness
they are unique in their peculiar way.
It is necessary that we are fair to everybody. This
Inequality fairness is all the more necessary for those who
Diversity is in positive sense, while inequality is in are in authority. If you are the head boy of the
negative sense. Inequality presupposes that two school and you are not fair to a particular student,
given persons or groups are not equal. A farmer then you are discriminating against him. It is
and a shopkeeper are diverse, but not unequal. A essential that you treat all students equally.
Brahmin and a Vaishya are diverse, but not Similarly, if a teacher awards more marks to a
unequal. A boy and a girl are diverse, but not student because he belongs to a certain family or
unequal. A poor man and a rich man are diverse, group, then he is discriminating against all others.
but not unequal. When all these people are equal,
they should be given equal rights. Just Think!
Prejudice
How can you contribute in getting rid of prejudices
Sometimes we have unreasonable dislike for some and discriminations from your society?
Contemporary Social Science-6
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