CBSE Class 6 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 2 Notes - Diversity and Discrimination

A variety of elements make us what we are- such as the languages we speak, how we live, what wear, what we eat, the games we play and the things we celebrate are all inspired both by the geography and history of the place where we live.

Differences can only be declared based on a comparison or categorisation. Prejudice means judging people negatively or regarding them as subordinate. People can be biased about many things: religious beliefs, skin colour, the country they originate from, the accent, the clothes they wear and more.

Creating Stereotypes

A “stereotype” is a generalisation about a character or group of characters. We resort to discrimination by ascribing qualities to a person based on a convention, without the understanding of complete details. It diminishes an individual to an unyielding image and does not recognise the fact that human beings are complicated and multidimensional with different qualities. Stereotypes recommend that people or groups of people are equal, although they are quite distinct in nature.

Inequality and Discrimination

Discrimination transpires when people act based on their prejudices or stereotypes. People pertaining to various religions can be a viewpoint of heterogeneity, but can also be a cause of bias. Some people who may speak a particular language, follow a specific religion, live in particular regions or so maybe victimised as their practices or customs may be viewed as inferior.

Further, the subject of various economic backgrounds is not a form of heterogeneity but inequality. Some people may encounter both kinds of bigotry. They are poor and belong to societies whose culture is not recognised.

Aiming for Equality

The struggle for freedom from British rule also incorporated within it the struggle of big groups of people who not only battled against the British but also fought to be treated more equally. Dalits, tribals, women, and peasants fought against the inequalities they encountered in their lives.

When India became independent in 1947, the leaders too, were worried about the different kinds of differences that survived. Constitution writers of India were conscious of how prejudice is followed in the society and how people had grappled against it. Many freedom fighters, such as Dr Ambedkar had also fought for the Dalits’ rights. So these leaders started a vision and a goal in the Constitution to assure that all the people of India were regarded as equal.

The Constitution laid an obligation on the government to take specific steps to realise the right to equality for the needy and other such negligible communities. They believed that honour for diversity was an important factor in ensuring equality. They stated that the government must treat all religions equally and no one religion, language or festival should become mandatory for all to follow.

Hence, India became a secular country, where people of various religions and faiths have the liberty to follow and practise their religion without any terror of discrimination. Though these ideals are consecrated in our Constitution, inequalities exist even today.

To have a clear understanding of the chapter and the implications of the concepts, refer to the PDF of the Diversity and Discrimination Class 6 Notes, which can be downloaded as well for free of cost.