Equality in Indian Democracy – Vocabulary Review

Conceptual Overview of Equality in Democracy

• Equality is a foundational, dynamic principle of democracy, not a static guarantee.

  • The Indian Constitution formally recognises every citizen as equal, yet lived realities reveal persistent inequalities.

  • The textbook adopts an experiential approach: instead of merely listing constitutional promises, it juxtaposes them with day-to-day discrimination faced by diverse communities (caste, religion, gender, tribe, disability, economic status).

• Teachers are advised to foster classroom empathy and safeguard every learner’s dignity while discussing inequality.

• Equality struggles are global; India’s challenges mirror those of other democracies, underscoring that democracy is an evolving practice.

Constitutional Provisions Ensuring Equality

• Article 14: “Equality before the law” – every individual from the President to a domestic worker must obey the same laws.

• Article 15 (quoted in the text):

  • 15(1) The State shall not discriminate on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

  • 15(2) No citizen shall, on the same grounds, face restrictions regarding:

  • (a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of entertainment;

  • (b) use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, etc.

• Abolition of untouchability (Article 17).

• Universal Adult Franchise: every citizen aged 18 and above may vote, irrespective of social or economic background.

Governmental Approaches to Realising Equality

• Two-pronged strategy:

  1. Legislation – e.g., abolition of untouchability, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

  2. Targeted programmes/schemes – designed to expand opportunities for historically marginalised groups.

• Continuous law-making and programme revision reflect the “dynamism” of equality in practice.

Midday Meal Scheme: Case Study

• Origin: pioneered in Tamil Nadu; Supreme Court directive in 2001 ordered all states to implement within 6 months.

• Goals aligned with SDG 02 – “Zero Hunger.”

• Documented benefits:

  • Higher enrolment and regular attendance of poor children; fewer drop-outs after the lunch break.

  • Mothers’ workday no longer interrupted to feed children at home, improving household income stability.

  • Shared eating space reduces caste prejudice; in several districts Dalit women are employed as cooks.

  • Immediate nutritional support enables children to concentrate in class, combating classroom hunger.

• Limitations & ongoing challenges:

  • Stark quality gaps between schools attended by rich and poor students persist.

  • In some institutions Dalit children still face discriminatory practices despite legal safeguards.

Persisting Challenges and Social Attitudes

• Legal equality ≠ social equality; attitudes change slowly.

• People may intellectually know discrimination is illegal yet continue exclusionary behaviour (casteism, sexism, ableism, class bias).

• Establishing equality is a “continuous struggle” requiring:

  • Individual mindset shifts (recognising every person’s dignity).

  • Collective action (social movements, community initiatives, vigilant judiciary, responsive legislature).

Equality Struggles in Other Democracies: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement

• African Americans—descendants of enslaved Africans—still experience structural inequality.

• Segregation example: bus seating rules before the late 1950s – African Americans had to sit at the back or surrender seats to whites.

• Rosa Parks (born 1913 – died 2005): on 1\,December\,1955 refused to give up her seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and galvanising the Civil Rights Movement.

• Civil Rights Act 1964:

  • Outlawed discrimination based on race, religion or national origin.

  • Abolished segregated schooling; mandated equal access to public facilities.

• Despite legal victories, many African Americans remain among the poorest; often limited to under-resourced public schools, whereas affluent white students access better schools (public or private).

• Lesson: democracy continuously expands its ambit of equality; legal reform must be matched by socioeconomic transformation.

Philosophical Perspectives on Self-Respect and Equality

• B.R. Ambedkar emphasised self-respect as life’s most vital factor; living without it is “disgraceful.”

  • Equality struggles are framed not merely as legal claims but as moral imperatives tied to human dignity.

• Film illustration: in the 1975 movie Deewar, a shoeshine boy refuses a coin tossed at him, insisting on receiving payment respectfully—symbolising dignity in labour.

Contemporary Legal Frameworks Extending Equality

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016:

  • Guarantees equal rights and full societal participation.

  • Mandates free, inclusive education; mainstreaming children with disabilities.

  • Requires all public places (buildings, schools) to incorporate accessibility features (ramps, lifts, tactile paths).

  • The textbook image of a boy being carried downstairs highlights incomplete implementation—affects both dignity and safety.

Sustainable Development Goals Connection

• Midday Meal aligns with SDG 02: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.”

• Advancing equality helps realise multiple SDGs (e.g., Quality Education – SDG 04; Reduced Inequalities – SDG 10).

Key Terms and Definitions

• Equality before Law: All persons subject to the same laws and courts.

• Universal Adult Franchise: Voting right for every citizen aged 18 +.

• Dignity: Recognition of inherent worth; deserving of respect.

• Constitution: Foundational legal document outlining state structure, powers, citizens’ rights.

• Civil Rights Movement: 1950s–1960s U.S. movement fighting racial discrimination and segregation.

Reflection & Exam Prompts (based on textbook exercises)

• Why is universal adult franchise indispensable to democracy?

• Cite two mechanisms in Article 15 that combat inequality.

• Explain “all persons are equal before the law.” Why crucial?

• Evaluate whether the Disabilities Act 2016 is honoured when infrastructure remains inaccessible—link dignity, safety and legal compliance.

Real-World / Local Application

• Investigate a local government equality-oriented scheme:

  • What services or benefits are provided?

  • Which groups are targeted (e.g., Scheduled Castes, women, persons with disabilities)?

  • Assess effectiveness: enrolment numbers, utilisation rates, or anecdotal evidence.