Diversity and Discrimination

Q19. How do you think Dr Ambedkar felt as a child, when he saw the stationmaster's reaction to his statement that they were Mahars?

Ans. He was a little boy. He must have felt disheartened when he saw the stationmaster's reaction to his statement that they were Mahars.

Q20. What stop people from looking at each person as a unique individual?

Ans. Stereotypes stop people from looking at each person as a unique individual with his or her own special qualities and skills that are different from others.

Q21. Who are seen as dirty or impure?

Ans. Activities like cleaning, washing, cutting hair, picking garbage are seen as tasks that are of less value and people who do this work are seen as dirty or impure.

Q22. Write one disadvantage of stereotypes?

Ans. Stereotypes fit large numbers of people into only one pattern or type. Stereotypes affect all of us as they prevent us from doing certain things that we might otherwise be good at.

Q23. Why does discrimination occur?

Ans. Discrimination can take place because of several reasons. Diversity such as different language, culture, status, economic background, religion etc. can also be a source of discrimination.

Q24. India is a secular country. What does it means?

Ans. India is a secular country where people of different religions and faiths have the freedom to practice and follow their religion without any fear of discrimination. This is seen as an important element of our unity – that we all live together and respect one other.

Q25. Give an example of prejudice.

Ans. For example, if we think English is the best language and other languages are not important, we are judging these other languages negatively. As a result, we might not respect people who speak languages other than English.

Q26. Write a short note on Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar?

Ans. Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar (1891-1956) is considered the father of the Indian Constitution and is also the best known leader of the Dalits. Dr Ambedkar fought for the rights of the Dalit community. He was born into the Mahar caste, which was considered untouchable.

Q27. What are Dalits?

Ans. Dalit is a term that people belonging to so called lower castes use to address themselves. They prefer this word to 'untouchable'. Dalit means those who have been 'broken'. The government refers to this group of people as Scheduled Castes (SC).

Q28. “Some people may experience both kinds of discrimination.” Explain the statement.

Ans. Some people may experience both kinds of discrimination. They are poor and they belong to groups whose culture is not valued. Tribals, some religious groups and even particular regions, are discriminated against for one or more of these reasons.

Q29. Despite the children offering money the cartmen refused them. Why?

Ans. Children belonged to the mahar community, which was treated as untouchables in the Bombay Presidency. Though children were offering money but the cartmen refused to carry them because not one of cartmen was prepared to suffer being polluted and to demean himself carrying passengers of the untouchable classes.

Q30. Differentiate between inequality and discrimination.

Ans. Difference between inequality and discrimination