Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism

Q1) Enumerate the measures for the welfare of Unorganised workers in India. In the context of problems being faced by “Domestic Helps”, Discuss the need for additional measures to safeguard their interests (15 marks)

Q2)The focus on the risk factors that appear at a young age and timely intervention is the key to preventing child delinquency and its escalation into chronic criminality. Analyse the statement with respect to growing incidences of child delinquency in the context of India. (15 marks)

Q3)Subnationalism may drive higher levels of social welfare but they can alsoresult in violent ethnic conflict. Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (10 marks)

Sub nationalism is collective assertion of the interest of one's own state/region/province, as distinct from the interest of the nation and the collective interest of all other states/regions/provinces. Sub-nationalism is used to overpower

the feeling of ‘we’-ness/ nationalism created during the freedom struggle to search for an identity completely different from the one offered by a sovereign state.

SUB NATIONALISM DRIVING SOCIAL WELFARE1. Greater the level of subnational solidarity, higher will be the State’s commitment to social welfare. Kerala’s success is the most striking example. The Aikya Kerala movement resulted in markers of caste, religion and other sub-groups becoming secondary to the primary marker of a linguistic group i. e. malayali. Expenditure on education in the 1910s shot up in Kerala for the first time in recorded history. From 1920 to 1947, Travancore spent about 20% its total expenditure on education.2. Sub nationalism can be seen as a counter-narrative to the idea of aggressivenationalism that restricts any alternative ideas of self-identification.3. It works towards fostering a shared political community accommodating the multiple aspirations of a diverse population.4. It gives space for expressing the linguistic and cultural rights in a plural society5. The anti-Brahmin movement in South India brought the unity among remaining sections of society to fight against caste oppression.6. Sub nationalism promotes ideal of competitive federalism where every state strives to compete with each other for prosperity.

SUBNATIONALISM RESULTING IN VIOLENT CONFLICT1. Gujarat and Maharashtra have witnessed ethnic riots unleashed against theirreligious minorities and immigrants, respectively.

2. Assam has periodic violence targeting alleged Bangladeshi settlers. The ‘othering’ of those who do not form an integral part of the sub nation warns us of the dangers of sub nationalism3. India has faced partition due to rising religious motives and has been plagued by secessionist movements in Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland.4. Assam has periodic bouts of xenophobic violence targeting alleged Bangladeshi settlers due to sub nationalism.5. Growth of Tamil nationalism in Sri Lanka was influenced a great deal by theDravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Tamils were also influenced by antiHindi agitations in Tamil Nadu led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhakarn (DMK)Subnationalism as long as is not secessionist in nature or is aimed towards othering of any community might become a positive force in India. It will help in re-establishing the nature of pluralistic society of India amidst the growing manufactured rhetoric of nationalism being falsely stated exclusively with Hindu nationality. The conventional nationalism may place a singular entity over the others but the pluralist nationalism followed by India celebrates its sociocultural diversity.Value AdditionIncidents Reflecting Rise of Sub Nationalism1. Karnataka flag issue (Kannadiga pride)2. Jallikattu protests (Tamil pride)3. Protests against imposition of hindi (cultural pride)4. Darjeeling protests – Gorkhaland (Gorkha pride)

Q4) What do you mean by “Communalism” and “Religious Fundamentalism”?Explain the impact of communalism and religious fundamentalism on social and democratic fabric of Indian Society. (10 marks)

When the people of a particular community care only for their own narrowly concerned interests, through the means of their religious faiths, old customs and conservative practices, disregarding the interests of whole society, then this phenomenon is termed as communalism. It is described as a tool to mobilize people for or against by raising an appeal on communal lines.

Religious fundamentalism, refers to the belief in the absolute authority of a sacred religious text or teachings of a particular religious’ leader Religious fundamentalism is an effort by religious interpreters to go back to what they believe to be, pure and original values and behaviour. Example, the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq Syria) is inspired by religious fundamentalism. Religious fundamentalism poses threats to a pluralistic society. India is also facing threats of religious fundamentalism through\ different violent activities like terrorist attacks, bomb blasts, communal violence etc. Impact of communalism and religious fundamentalism:

IMPACT OF COMMUNALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM1. Negatively affecting the Constitutional Ideals: Communalism and religiousfundamentalism affects the constitutional ideals such as Liberty, Equality andFraternity. Affects Social peace and harmony: It also affects the social peace andharmony, which in turn2. Pollutes the secular electoral process: Mobilizing people using the tools ofcommunalism and religious fundamentalism pollutes the just, fair and secular electoral process. This view point is also observed by supreme court of India in its latest verdict in which Supreme Court held that any appeal for votes on the ground of "religion, race, caste, community or language" will be amounted to "corrupt practice" under the election law provision.3. Communal Violence: Spread of communalism also leads to communal violence. In India, we have experienced many incidents of communal violence such as Babri Masjid demolition, Godhra and Post Godhra violence, and most recently Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh.4. Terrorism: Because of religious fundamentalism, youth becomes vulnerable to join the terrorism and which affects the society at large. For example, involvement in terror activity by Indian nationals such as Yasin Bhatkal, and youth being recruited to work for ISIS.5. Unity and Integrity of the country: Spread of communalism and religiousfundamentalism also threatens the unity and integrity of the country. For examples:Mobilisation of protests in Kashmir on religious lines.6. Gender Injustice: Communalism and religious fundamentalism also leads to gender injustice. This is evident in the form of opposition by religious groups to formulate uniform civil code or allowing women temple entry.7. Atrocities against minority’s communities: Spread of religious fundamentalism

often leads to violence against members of minority’s community. For example – recent attacks on members of minority on rumours of carrying beef

Legitimacy to caste based occupations: Religious fundamentalism also legitimizes the caste-based occupations such as manual scavenging etc.Thus, it is clear that communalism and religious fundamentalism both negatively affects the social and democratic fabric of the society, hence efforts should be made through mass media for changing the attitude of people towards other communities. People must be aware of the evils of the communalism. Feelings of nationalism should be inculcated in the minds of people by reminding them about the glorious moments of history in which all communities collectively contributed to safeguard the interest of the country

Q5)Why are tribals in India referred to as “Scheduled Tribe”? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in Constitution of India for their upliftment.(15 marks)

ANS:

Scheduled tribes, are those tribes which are officially accepted as disadvantaged and included (scheduled) in accordance with the article 342 of the Indian constitution. They are entitled to many incentives and reservation policies. According to Article 342 of the Indian constitution, the Scheduled Tribes are the tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within these tribes and tribal communities which have been declared as such by the President through a public notification.

The major provisions and send in the constitution for the upliftment are,

Article 46 (DPSP) mandates estate to take steps for the economic and educational upliftment of SC/ST

Article 243 D reservation in local bodies

Article 244 provides for schedule 5 to govern schedule areas except Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram

Schedule 5 provision for the administration of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

Article 330 with addition in the house of people

Article 352 reservation in Legislative assemblies

Article 334 reservation to cease after 60 years (initially the constitution provided for only 10 years and has been extended since then)

Article 338 they provide for National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Article 359 1 m first President to appoint a condition to report on the administration of Scheduled Areas and status of Scheduled Tribes

Article 15(4) reservation in educational institution for SC ST weaker section

Article 16(4) reservation in public employment for SC ST and backward classes

Article 23 protection from exploitation and abolishment of bonded labour

Article 29 to 32 protect preserve their unique culture heritage and language.

Apart from these Constitutional safeguards, the Parliament has enacted the Forest Rights Act,2006 and Panchayati Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas Act,1996 to empower and provide local self government to be scheduled tribes.

Q.6 What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (10 marks)

ANS : Definition: Regionalism is a psychological phenomenon, wherein a sense of collective identity is derived on the basis of region. It is because of natural affinity we have upon language and culture. Various factors have been cited as the reason for growth and spread of regionalism.

Basis of regionalism: 

It is based on real or appearing similarities across languages, cultures, ethnic groups, communities, religions and so on, and encouraged by the regional concentration of those identity markers, and fueled by a sense of regional deprivation. For many centuries, India remained the land of many lands, regions, cultures and traditions.

1. Modernization theory - it states regionalism as the reaction of Indian traditionalism to modernization.

2. Uneven development theory - it stakes that regionalism is caused by economic disparities and cultural anxieties . When a particular region  people feel deprived of the benefits of development they assert their uniqueness. Eg. Telangana movement.

3. Culture of scarcity model - when a particular group feels that they are falling behind in comparison to the rest of the nation. eg. North East States.

4. Culture of affluence - sudden rise in prosperity of a particular region can create a sense of uniqueness and exclusivism. Eg. Khalistan movement was provided fresh  impetus by the rising prosperity due to Green Revolution.

5. Identity crisis, demand for inner line permit by certain North East States to assert their cultural Identity.

6. Son of soil theory - regional tensions are excited by certain section of the community who believe that the native population should be given preferential treatment compared to outsiders.

7. Politics of opposition

8. Dichotomies of culture

Scholars have concluded that regionalism per se is not a worry to India. They suggest it must be treated as a crisis of development and not a crisis of Nationalism. In India, the general pattern that is observed is that of

Cultural assertion

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Demand for secession

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Settlement for Greater autonomy and devolution

These numerous factors also contribute to regionalism apart from development deficit.

Civic nationalism can be brought about by,

Inclusive and balanced economic growth

Decentralised planning and stakeholder participation.

Strengthening grassroots democracy.

Strengthening the culture of Human Rights.

Adopting a multi-cultural development model.

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