NCERT Explained: Class VII Political Science, Chapter 1 - On Equality

Introduction to the Topic

Equality is a central feature of democracy and influences all aspects of its functioning. In a democratic country like India, all adults irrespective of their religion, education, caste, or wealth are allowed to vote. This is the foundation of a democratic society. However, while the concept of equality exists on paper and in the voting booth, daily life often tells a different story. This chapter, 'On Equality,' explores the various dimensions of equality in the Indian context, the struggles people face, and the steps the government takes to bridge the gap between the ideal and the reality.

Why is equality so important? In any society, when people are treated unequally, their dignity is violated. Democracy thrives only when every individual is recognized as equal, possessing the same rights and opportunities. In this post, we will break down the complex layers of social, economic, and political equality as presented in the Class VII NCERT curriculum, helping students understand not just the 'what' but also the 'why' behind our constitutional values.

Key Concepts Explained

1. Universal Adult Franchise

The journey of equality in a democracy begins with the power to vote. Universal Adult Franchise is a technical term that means all adult citizens (those 18 years and older) have the right to vote, regardless of their social or economic backgrounds. This is a crucial aspect of all democracies because it is based on the idea of equality—the idea that every person's vote has the same value, whether they are a wealthy business owner or a domestic worker.

Consider the story of Kanta, a domestic worker mentioned in the textbook. On election day, she stands in line to vote and feels equal to her employer because both have one vote each. However, as the day progresses, her sense of equality fades. She lives in a slum, has a sick daughter, and cannot afford a day off to take her child to the hospital. The contrast between her political equality (at the polling station) and her socio-economic inequality (in the slum and the private hospital) highlights the primary challenge of Indian democracy.

2. Other Kinds of Equality and Inequality

While everyone in India is politically equal, they are often socially and economically unequal. The most common forms of inequality in India are based on the Caste System and Religion.

• Caste-based Inequality: Even in urban India, caste remains a significant factor in marriage and social interactions. In rural areas, it is even more pronounced. The textbook shares the experience of Om Prakash Valmiki, a famous Dalit writer. In his autobiography Joothan, he describes how he was forced to sweep the school playground while his classmates studied, simply because he was a Dalit. This is a clear violation of equality.
• Religious Inequality: Inequality also manifests through religious discrimination. The story of the Ansaris, who were looking to rent an apartment in a city, illustrates this. Despite having the money to pay rent, they were refused housing by several landlords once their names revealed their religion. They were even suggested to change their names to find a house. This shows that prejudice can lead to unequal treatment even among the middle class.

3. Recognizing Dignity

When persons are treated unequally, their dignity is violated. Dignity refers to the thinking of oneself and other persons as worthy of respect. In the cases of Om Prakash Valmiki and the Ansaris, they were treated unequally because of their birth or religion. Their dignity was hurt because they were made to feel less than human or less than their fellow citizens. The Indian Constitution recognizes that every person deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.

4. Equality in Indian Democracy

The Indian Constitution recognizes every person as equal. This means that every individual in the country, including male and female persons from all castes, religions, tribes, educational and economic backgrounds are recognized as equal. While this does not mean that inequality has ceased to exist, at least in democratic India, the principle of the equality of all persons is recognized.

Key provisions of the Constitution regarding equality include:

• Every person is equal before the law. From the President of the country to a domestic worker like Kanta, everyone has to obey the same laws.
• No person can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion, race, caste, place of birth, or gender.
• Every person has access to all public places including playgrounds, hotels, shops, and markets. All persons can use publicly available wells, roads, and bathing ghats.
• Untouchability has been abolished and its practice is a crime.

One of the most powerful tools in the Constitution is Article 15, which specifically prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It ensures that the state does not discriminate against any citizen and that no citizen faces disabilities or restrictions in accessing public facilities.

5. Government Initiatives: The Midday Meal Scheme

The government tries to implement equality in two ways: through laws and through government programs or schemes. One of the most successful examples is the Midday Meal Scheme. This program involves providing children with cooked lunch in all government elementary schools.

Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to start this scheme in 2001, and the Supreme Court later asked all state governments to begin this program. The benefits have been immense:

• Increased Enrollment: More poor children have begun enrolling and regularly attending school.
• Reduced Hunger: Children who used to go home for lunch and not return, or those who came to school hungry and couldn't concentrate, now receive a nutritious meal.
• Caste Integration: Because children of all castes sit together to eat their meal, it helps in reducing caste prejudices.
• Empowerment: In many places, Dalit women have been employed to cook the meals, providing them with stable employment and dignity.

6. Issues of Equality in Other Democracies

India is not the only country where there is inequality. In the United States of America, African-Americans whose ancestors were slaves brought over from Africa continue to describe their lives today as largely unequal. This is despite a movement in the late 1950s to push for equal rights for African-Americans.

Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, changed the course of American history in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Her refusal started a huge agitation against the unequal ways in which African-Americans were treated, which came to be known as the Civil Rights Movement. This led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or national origin.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Equality is a core value of democracy, starting with Universal Adult Franchise.
• Social inequalities based on caste and religion still persist in India despite legal protections.
• Dignity is the right of every person to be valued and respected.
• The Indian Constitution guarantees equality through laws like Article 15 and the abolition of untouchability.
• The government promotes equality through schemes like the Midday Meal, which helps improve school attendance and social harmony.
• The struggle for equality is global, as seen in the Civil Rights Movement in the USA.
• Democracy is a continuous struggle to recognize all persons as equal and to ensure their dignity.