Page 183 - SST Class 06
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Prejudice, Discrimination
and Inequality
India is the largest democracy in the world. Ruled comfortable in the group of people who appear
by various kings and emperors and colonised by like us and behave like us. We tend to feel
the Europeans for centuries, India became a uncomfortable in the group of people who may
democratic nation post its independence in the not appear like us.
year 1947. Thereafter, the citizens of India were Since India is a diverse country, people from
given the right to vote and elect their leaders. different regions look entirely different. They not
The second most populous country and the only differ in their appearance, but also in eating
seventh largest country by area, India is the habit, accent and costumes. Following are some
largest democracy in the world. Indian demo- examples of prejudices which happen because of
cratic government was formed after the nation diversity.
attained independence in 1947.
g When a person from the North East roams
In spite of the above, there is discrimination, in Delhi, he/she is often looked down by the
prejudice and inequality present in society. In no local people. You often read news about
society are these totally absent. The difference is people from the North East being harassed
only one of degree. But, it is this that makes a in Delhi or even in Bangalore.
nation great or small and puts it on the path of
g A person from South India is often called
progress. India is a multilingual, religious and
Madrasi when he goes to the northern part
cultural society. Therefore, disparity is obviously
of the country.
present in various forms. In the economic sphere,
g A person from Bihar is usually considered as
India is having a mixed pattern, that is the
less intelligent and is subject of ridicule in
combination of capitalistic and socialistic econ-
most of the metropolitan cities of India.
omy. Therefore, inequality is a common phe-
nomenon. The types of inequality prevailing in g A person from rural areas is considered to
be illiterate, unhygienic and unsophisti-
India are structural in nature. However, there are
cated.
many more anomalies illiteracy, casteism,
communalism, regionalism, etc. g A person from urban areas is considered to
be greedy and cunning. People think that a
PREJUDICE
city dweller does not have respect for
When someone judges another person in a
personal relationships.
negative way, it is called prejudice. People often
In most of the cases, prejudices are harmless. But
have certain prejudices about other people who
in some cases, our prejudiced behavior may turn
may appear different. This difference can be in
to be harmful for the person at the receiving end.
terms of facial features, accent, eating habit or
costumes. For example; when you do not behave properly
with a person because of your prejudices, it can
This is a normal human nature that we feel
be very bad for self respect of that person.
Social Science-6 183
