Diversity and Discrimination

People of different religions and faiths have freedom to practice and follow their religion.

He was the son of Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai Murbadkar. Bhimrao's native village name was "Ambavade" in Ratnagiri District so he changed his name from "Sakpal" to "Ambedkar" with the recommendation and faith of Mahadev Ambedkar, his teacher who believed in him.

Reasons for Muslim girls not attending the schools are:- Early marriages Poverty

Constitution is set of rules for government — often in the form of a written document — that establishes principles of an autonomous political entity. It defines the fundamental political principles, and establishes the structure, procedures, powers and duties, of a government.

People’s religious beliefs, their colour, accent and dress makes people prejudice of others.

A democracy works best in an environment of tolerance and peace. Democracy flourishes when there is respect for the opinions of others and where there is freedom to practice one’s own beliefs. For democracy to prosper, we have to keep an open mind to learn what is worthwhile from others and create a mindset that highlights the commonness of our beliefs rather than differences. A democracy based on such principles of respect, tolerance will be vibrant and encourage citizens to integrate rather than create frictions. Hence Secularism is an important principle in a democracy.

Stereotypes often lead to discrimination. Discrimination is when someone is treated worse than other people because of their: Gender, race, disability, colour, nationality, religion and age. When we judge people and groups based on our prejudices and stereotypes, then we treat them differently, which leads to discrimination.

Mahars were poor people who owned no land. They lived in the outskirts of the village and were not allowed to enter into the village. Mahars were the largest untouchable caste in Maharashtra, comprising 9 percent of that area's population. Ambedkar, the first individual from a traditionally untouchable caste to receive a university education, encouraged Mahars to leave Hinduism in protest of their caste status

Dalits are formerly known as untouchable - a person outside of the four Varnas, and considered below of all and polluting. Dalits include people as leather-workers, scavengers, tanners, flayers, cobblers, agricultural labourers, municipal cleaners and drum beaters. They are also known as broken people.

Equality means all men are equally protected by law, no one is above law. All are free to follow their religion, language, and festivals and to express themselves freely. Everyone has freedom to do work of their own choice. The State will not differentiate any individual on the basis of religion, caste, language, gender or birth

This stereotype thinking regarding Muslims not interested in educating girls and therefore do not send girls to school is wrong. The main reason for the Muslim girls not attending the schools is poverty. Wherever efforts have been made to reach education to the poor, there the Muslim community has shown an interest in sending their girls to school for example Kerala

Diversity means “variety” and “being different”. It is a product of different geography, culture and history. Diversity is more than just tolerating the differences. It is respecting and understanding the varying differences among individuals in society.

Constitution is set of rules for government — often in the form of a written document — that establishes principles of an autonomous political entity. It defines the fundamental political principles, and establishes the structure, procedures, powers and duties, of a government.

The important element of our unity is that we all live together peacefully and respect one another in all the spheres of life.

The two fundamental duties of the Indian citizens are:
a. to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
b. to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

Life in the village is economical as people share common facilities such as temples, schools, ponds and grazing grounds. Life in the city is expensive as people have to spent more money on rent and transport.

Dalits are not permitted to drink water from the public wells, attend the temple prayers, wear shoes in front of an upper caste or drink from the same cups in the tea stall. They have to face various sorts of discrimination and atrocities from the upper caste.

Directive principles of state policies are very important because they give directions to the governments at the Centre as well as State to attain the welfare of the people. Their aim is to secure economic and social justice to all the people. It also aims to promote international peace and security.

When we evaluate people on the basis of prejudices and stereotypes, we are engaging in discrimination. Women and minorities are mistreated by discrimination in employment, education and social services. Sometimes, they are excluded from high rank positions in the society.

In our constitution, right to equality is the most important right guaranteed to the citizens of India. It means that all citizens have equal privileges and opportunities. It looks after the citizens against any discrimination by the State on the basis of religion, caste, race, sex or place of birth. The citizens shall be equally protected by the laws of the country. It also says that the practice of untouchability is an offense.

Yes, the National Human Rights Commission of India is one such Commission that works for the protection of human rights. The commission enquires into a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf into complaint of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant.

Caste division is special in India. It has not completely disappeared from India. Despite constitutional prohibition, untouchability is still continuing in India. The lower caste people are still backward in education as well as in their economic condition. In modern India, like in pre-independence the poor are mostly the low castes and the rich are the higher castes. All these show that inequalities are still continuing inspite of the vast development that India has achieved.

The famous leader who faced discrimination was the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi. He faced discrimination when he was in South Africa. He faced discrimination directed at black South African and Indians. One day in the court at Durban, he was asked to remove his turban by the magistrate. Another incident was that he was thrown off a train after his refusal to move from the first class to a third class.

Scheduled Caste is a social categorization that characterizes the lowest step of the caste hierarchy, as well as legal categorization that relates to the constitutionally designed instrument for identifying certain caste groups for the purpose of various constitutional entitlements.