Instructions:
- Elaborate on the meaning of social inequality.
- Discuss the types of social inequalities.
Solution:
Social inequality refers to the distribution of resources or opportunities on the basis of social stature, religion, ethnicity, caste, creed, gender, or language.
Social Inequality can take various forms, viz.
Communalism
People belonging to different religious backgrounds may sometimes differ in their opinions and viewpoints.
When people of one religion get involved in a conflict with another religion, it is called communalism.
Racism
Racism is an idea that propagates the belief that a certain group of humans possesses specific traits that make them superior to the rest.
Casteism
The practice of untouchability is an evil product of casteism that has been prevalent in Indian society for a long time. It was considered a sin to touch the people belonging to certain lower castes; hence, the name ‘un-touchable’.
Illiteracy
According to a survey conducted in India some years ago, approximately 25.96% of the Indian population was illiterate.
It has been said that illiteracy could be the root cause of almost all social evils. To combat this, the Right To Education was enacted in 2009 to provide free and compulsory education to children between 6-14 years of age.
Language-based discrimination
The Constitution of India has recognised 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule and gives equal importance to each and every one of them.
However, conflicts related to language are not unheard of as people sometimes make demands for separate states on the basis of the languages they speak.