CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter-4 Gender, Religion and caste – Free PDF Download
Free PDF download of Important Questions with Answers for CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4 – Gender, Religion and caste prepared by expert Political Science teachers from latest edition of CBSE(NCERT) books only by CoolGyan to score more marks in CBSE board examination.
CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter-4 Gender, Religion and caste Important Questions
CBSE Class 10 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 4 – Gender, Religion and caste
5 Mark Questions
1. What is communalism? What are the major beliefs of communal people?
Ans. 1) Communalism is a situation when a particular community tries to promote its own interests at the cost of other communities.
2) Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community.
3) The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. There fundamental interests should be the same. Any difference that they may have, that is irrelevant.
4) Communalism also includes that people who follow different religions have some commonalties. These are superficial and immaterial. There interests are bound be different and involve a conflict.
5) Sometimes communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation.
2. In actual life democracy do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities explain by giving examples.
Ans. 1) In most of the democracies a small number of ultra rich enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income.
2) The share of rich class is increases whereas those who are not at bottom of the society have been little to depend upon.
3) Even in India, the poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet democratically elected government does not appear to be as keen to address the question of poverty as is expected.
4) The situation is much worse in some other countries. In Bangladesh more than half of its population lives in poverty.
People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for the food supplies
3. Examine the basic features of the caste system prevailing in India.
Ans. 1) The association of political parties with social groups is not always bad.
2) Associations of political parties with weaker section of society are healthy for democracy.
3) Through political parties weaker sections get together to voice their opinion and get a chance for their betterment.
4) Some political parties grow out of social groups, example DMK, AIADMK.
5)It is hierarchical occupational division of the society.
6) It has four main divisions- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vashyas and Shudras.
7) It is hereditary.
8) The members of the same caste group formed a social community that followed similar occupations, married within the caste and did not mingle with the other caste.
9)The caste system was based on exclusion of and discrimination against the ‘out caste’ groups that were subjected to inhuman practice of untouchability.
4. Assess the influences of politics on caste system.
Ans. 1) Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within its sub castes.
2) Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes or communities.
3) New kinds of caste groups have entered politics like backward and forward castes.
4) Politics in caste has allowed many disadvantaged caste groups to demand their share of power.
5) Caste politics has helped the Dalits and OBCs to gain better access to decision making.
5. How Casteism is dangerous a democratic country?
Ans. 1) Casteism is actually against the basis principal of democracy that i.e., liberty, equality and fraternity.
2) Casteism gives encouragement to vote bank politics and because of which economic based issues are pushed back by the leaders of differ castes.
3) Casteism encourages interest of castes and is against national unity.
4) Casteism favours interests of one particular caste because of which interest of other castes are overlooked.
6. Is caste system is coming to an end? Explain.
Ans. Caste system has kept Indian society intact. But at present it is coming to an end because of following reasons:
1) Many social reform movements were started in 19th century like Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj etc. They preached against the caste system.
2) With the advent of means of transport and communication people begin to move from place to place in search of work and in new society. There they work with people of other castes. It leads to decline of another feature of keeping relations with one’s own caste.
3) In the past religious education was given and it was confined only to higher three castes. But with the changing time religious education came to an end.
4) Every one begins to get modern education which led to the decline of discrimination.
5) Giving occupation to the child is one of the main features of caste system. But due to industrialization and modernization new occupations came into being. People begin to adopt new occupations which have led to the end of this feature of caste system.
7. Explain the status of women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies.
Ans. 1) In the central legislature there are less than 10% of its total strength are women.
2) In the state legislature there are less than 5% of its total strength are women.
3) In panchayat 1/3 seats are reserved for women.
4) India is among the bottom group of nations in the world, in this respect.
5) Women’ organizations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least 1/3 of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. But the bill to this effect has not been passed.
8. How does communalism threaten the Indian Democracy? Explain.
Ans. 1) Communalism involves religious prejudice, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions.
2) A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community.
3) Political mobilization on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. In electoral politics, this often involves special appeal to the interests or emotions of votes of one religion in preference to others.
4) Sometimes communalism in India takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
5) Communal prejudice and propaganda need to be countered in everyday life and religion based mobilization needs to be counted in the arena of politics.
9. Explain the various forms that communalism takes in politics.
Ans. 1) In politics communalism leads to a tendency of dominance of one community over the other. Foe those belonging to the majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
2) There is use of religious ideas and emotional appeals and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in political arena.
3) In electoral politics this often involves special appeal to the interests or emotions of voters of one religion in preference to another.
4) The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and beliefs in superiority of one’s religion over the other religions.
5) Communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots and massacre.
10. “The old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down in India”-Support the answer statement with suitable examples.
Ans. 1) As per the old caste hierarchy Brhamins, Kashatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras formed the ladder from top to bottom. Various socio-economic and political changes have almost broken down this hierarchy.
2) The main occupations of the Brammins were to perform various religious rites. Now, one can see Brahmins in various other occupations. They are running shops and hotels.
3) Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are also working in many fields.
4) Shudras, who were once untouchables, are now politicians, Doctors, professors and they now hold various respectable posts in government and private sectors.
5) Urbanization and Education have brought a change in mind set of modern youths from all castes and they are living and working together.
