Chapter 2: Diversity And Discrimination

Difference And Prejudice

Our identity is shaped by numerous factors: where we live, the languages we speak, our diet, clothing, festivities, and pastimes. These aspects are heavily influenced by the geography and history of our surroundings. India is a testament to immense diversity, home to all eight of the world's major religions, over 1600 mother tongues, and more than a hundred forms of dance.

However, this rich diversity is not always embraced. It's human nature to feel more comfortable and secure with people who are similar to us. When we encounter individuals who are different, we might perceive them as strange or unfamiliar. This lack of understanding can lead to the formation of negative attitudes and opinions about those who are not like us. These negative judgments are the seeds of prejudice and can lead to hurtful behaviors like teasing, exclusion, and mockery, which are often rooted in societal inequalities.

Prejudice

Prejudice literally means to "pre-judge". It is the act of forming a negative opinion or belief about other people without sufficient knowledge, seeing them as inferior. Prejudice arises when we believe that our way of living, speaking, or believing is the only correct or superior way. This mindset leads to a lack of respect for those who do things differently.

We can hold prejudices about many aspects of a person's identity, including:

• Religious beliefs
• The colour of their skin (racism)
• The region they come from
• The accent with which they speak
• The clothes they wear

For example, if someone believes English is the best language, they might look down on people who speak other languages, judging them negatively. These prejudices can become so ingrained that they prevent us from forming friendships and may even lead us to act in ways that are deliberately hurtful to others.

Creating Stereotypes

When our prejudices lead us to fix entire groups of people into a single, oversimplified image, we create a stereotype. A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and generalized belief about a particular category of people. For instance, claiming that people from a specific country, religion, or economic background are all "lazy," "stingy," or "criminal" is using a stereotype.

Stereotypes ignore the fact that individuals are unique. There are generous and stingy people everywhere, in every community. By applying one label to a large group, we fail to see each person as an individual with their own special qualities and skills.

Gender Stereotypes

A common example is gender stereotyping. Society often promotes ideas like "boys don't cry" or "girls are soft and gentle." These are not inborn traits but learned behaviors. Boys are often taught to suppress their emotions, as crying is seen as a sign of weakness. Such stereotypes are harmful because they limit people's potential and prevent them from doing things they might be good at simply because it doesn't fit the societal image.

Stereotypes about "Children with Special Needs"

Similarly, children with physical or mental challenges are often stereotyped. The outdated term "disabled" has been replaced by "children with special needs" to be more respectful. Stereotypes about them can be very damaging, as they overlook the individual's thoughts, feelings, and capabilities. It's important to challenge these stereotypes and create an inclusive environment, for instance, by integrating children with special needs into regular schools rather than segregating them.

Inequality And Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when people act on their prejudices or stereotypes. It is the practical application of negative attitudes. While prejudice is a belief or attitude, discrimination is the behavior that results from it.

Examples of discriminatory acts include:

• Preventing people from taking up certain jobs.
• Stopping them from living in particular neighborhoods.
• Denying them access to the same water source, like a well or hand pump.
• Not allowing them to use the same cups or glasses as others.

Discrimination can stem from both diversity (differences in religion, language, etc.) and inequality (disparities in economic status). For example, a group might be discriminated against because their religious customs are seen as "inferior" (a matter of diversity). At the same time, poor people experience discrimination because they lack the resources to meet basic needs, which is a matter of inequality, not diversity. Often, people face both kinds of discrimination simultaneously, such as being from a marginalized cultural group and also being poor.

On Being Discriminated Against

One of the most rigid and oppressive systems of discrimination in India's history is the caste system. This system created a social hierarchy where certain types of work were valued more than others. Jobs like cleaning, washing, and picking garbage were considered "impure," and the people forced to do this work were labelled as "dirty" or "untouchable."

This system, based on birth, placed communities on a ladder. Those at the top, the "upper castes," saw themselves as superior. Those at the bottom were denied basic human rights and dignity. They were forbidden from entering temples, taking water from the village well, or even sitting next to children from other castes in school.

Dalits: The "Broken" People

The term Dalit, meaning "broken," is used by these communities to describe themselves, highlighting how social prejudice and discrimination have shattered their lives and dignity. The government officially refers to this group as Scheduled Castes (SC).

Answer:

This incident vividly illustrates how deeply ingrained discrimination was. It was not just about economic status—the children could pay—but about being denied basic services and human dignity purely because of their caste. It shows how caste-based discrimination robs people of respect and freedom of movement.

Striving For Equality

The fight for equality in India was an integral part of the struggle for freedom from British rule. Many groups, including Dalits, women, tribals, and peasants, fought not only for national independence but also for social equality and justice in their own lives.

After India gained independence in 1947, the leaders who framed the Constitution of India were deeply concerned with the inequalities prevalent in society. Led by visionaries like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, they set out a framework to ensure that all citizens of India would be treated as equals.

Key Constitutional Provisions for Equality

• Equality for All: The Constitution establishes the equality of all persons as a fundamental value that unites all Indians. Everyone is guaranteed equal rights and opportunities.
• Abolition of Untouchability: The practice of "untouchability" is declared a crime and has been legally abolished.
• Freedom of Occupation: People are free to choose the work they wish to do, breaking the rigid rules of the caste system. Government jobs are open to all.
• Respect for Diversity: The Constitution recognizes that respecting diversity is crucial for ensuring equality. It grants people the freedom to follow their religion, speak their language, and celebrate their festivals.
• Secularism: To ensure religious equality, India was established as a secular country. This means the government must treat all religions equally, and no single religion, language, or festival can be made compulsory for all.

Despite these constitutional ideals, inequalities persist today. Equality is a value that requires continuous effort. The ongoing struggles of people and positive actions by the government are both necessary to make the promise of equality a reality for every Indian.