Equality in Indian Democracy
Equality
The Indian Constitution
recognises every person
as equal. This means that
every individual in the
country, including male
and female persons from
all castes, religions,
tribes, educational and
economic backgrounds
are recognised as equal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R37fJ5C3J_4
Relation between Equality and
Democracy
❖India is a democratic country . The key factors
of democracy are :• people’s participation
• resolution of conflict
• equality and justice.
❖Equality is a key feature of democracy and
influences all aspects of its functioning.
❖Equality and democracy goes hand in hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANA_wENnmNc
Constitution and Equality (Article 15)
❖ Every person is equal before law
❖No person can be discriminate against any
citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste
and gender.
❖ Every person has access to all public places
including play ground, shop, market, hotels.
All person can use public wells, roads and
bathing ghats.
❖Untouchability is abolished.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAVAYx3TspY
Universal Adult Franchise
❖In India, all adults (above 18 years)
irrespective of class, caste or status are
allowed to vote. This is called Universal Adult
Franchise.
❖ This is a political right and comes under
political equality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVMOEeXscfg
Inequality and Recognizing Dignity
❖ Even after the implementation Article 15, this
can not to said that inequality ceases to exist. It’s
still present.
❖ One of the main reasons for this is that attitudes
change very slowly. Even though persons are
aware that discrimination is against the law, they
continue to treat people unequally on the basis
of their caste, religion, disability, gender etc.
❖ When persons are treated unequally, their
dignity is violated.
❖ No one deserve to be treated like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpv4O5SyYA
Types of Inequalities
.
Caste
Inequality
Class
Inequality
Gender
Inequality
Poverty
Inequality
Social
Types of
Inequalities
Economic
Work
Environment
Inequality
Health
Nutritional
Inequality
Healthcare
Inequality
Wage
Inequality
Living
condition
Inequality
Government’s Action to Eradicate
Inequality
Formation of laws
Forming laws to protect
every person’s right to be
treated equally.
For example: Article 15
Government Schemes
Government has launched
various programmes to help
disadvantaged
communities. These
schemes are to ensure
greater opportunity for
people who have been
treated unequally for
several years.
For example: Mid-Day Meal
Scheme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gNGgnSnTo
Mid-Day Meal Scheme more poor
❖ Mid-Day Meal Scheme refers
to the programme introduced
in all government elementary
schools to provide children
with cooked lunch.
❖in 2001, the Supreme Court
asked all state governments to
begin this programme in their
schools within six months.
❖ Tamil Nadu was the first state
in India to introduce this
scheme,
children have
begun
attending
school.
positive
effects of
Mid-Day
Meal
Scheme
reduce
caste
prejudices
because
children of
all castes in
the school
are eating
together,
reduce the
hunger of
poor
students
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ0tNwdINDg
Rights of Equality in Other Democracies
❖ In 1950 Civil Rights Movement started in
America by African Americans against
discrimination on the basis of race, religion or
national origin.
❖ On December 1st 1955, Rosa Park an African–
American woman she refused to give up her seat
on a bus to a white man. That incident marked
the beginning of Civil Rights Movement.
❖The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits racial and
religious discrimination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URxwe6LPvkM
Conclusion
❖No country can be described as being
completely democratic.
❖However there are always communities and
individuals trying to expand the idea of
democracy and push for a greater recognition
of equality on existing as well as new issues.
❖The struggle for the recognition of all persons
as equal and to maintain their dignity is
challenging but possible.