Social Science 7: Social and Political Life : 1. Our Equality

EXERCISE

I. Objective Type Questions

A. Choose the correct answer.

1. Which one of the following elements ensures justice to all the people of a society or country?

(a) Untouchability

(b) Equality ✓

(c) Inequality

(d) Caste System

2. Which of the following provision(s) does/do our Constitution have with regard to equality among citizens?

(a) Every person is equal before the law.

(b) No person can be discriminated against on the basis of their castes or religions.

(c) Every person can use all public places.

(d) All of these. ✓

3. Which of the following show(s) the existence of inequality in our daily life?

(a) A large number of people living below poverty line in India

(b) The caste system in India

(c) Untouchability in India

(a) All of these ✓

4. Our government has tried to implement equality through

(a) various laws

(b) various programmes

(c) both (a) and (b) ✓

(a) none of these

5. Who among the following was the leader of Civil Rights Movement of America

(a) Barack Obama

(b) Rosa Parks ✓

(c) Nelson Mandela

(d) None of these

B. Fill in the blanks

1. In a democracy, all citizens are equal  before the law.

2. Dignity  refers to thinking of oneself and other persons as worthy of respect.

3. In order to promote equality, untouchability has been abolished by law

4. The attitude of the people to think of all as equal, changes slowly. 

5. Civil Rights Movement began in 1950s in the United States of America (USA). 

C. State True or False

1. Our constitution guarantees equality for all citizens. [True]

2. The government enacts various policies to ensure equality for all. [True]

3. The Mid-day Meal Scheme was started in Andhra Pradesh. [False]

4. Attendance of children has improved by the Mid-day Meal Scheme. [True]

5. Other countries of the world do not face inequality. [False]

D. Assertion Reason

For question numbers 1 to 4, two statements are given one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below:

(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion

(c) Assertion is true but Reason is false

(d) Assertion is false but Reason is true

1. Assertion (A): The Indian government brings out plans and policies to promote equality

Reason (R): This is done to implement the equality that is guaranteed in the Constitution

Answer: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion

2. Assertion (A) : Mid-day Meal Scheme promotes equality.

Reason (R): Attendance of students has not shown any improvement through this scheme.

Answer: (c) Assertion is true but Reason is false

3. Assertion (A): Rosa Parks was not a leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

Reason (R): The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964.

Answer: (d) Assertion is false but Reason is true

4. Assertion (A): Equality is necessary in a democracy

Reason (R): In a democracy, all people are not equal before law

Answer: (c) Assertion is true but Reason is false

II. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. State two ways in which Article 15 of our Constitution addresses inequality among citizens.

Answer: Two ways in which Article 15 of our Constitution addresses inequality among citizens-

• It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• It ensures equal access to public places like shops, hotels, roads, wells, and tanks for all citizens.

2. In what ways does the government ensure equality as guaranteed by the constitution?

Answer: The government ensure equality as guaranteed by the constitution:

• The government enacts and implements laws that protect the rights of disadvantaged communities (e.g., SCs, STs).
• It launches social and economic programmes like the Mid-day Meal Scheme and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to reduce inequality.

3. The government initiatives to reduce the inequality in our daily life work very slowly. Give reasons why?

Answer: 

• People’s mindset and attitudes take a long time to change, especially regarding caste, gender, and religion.
• Even with awareness of laws, discrimination continues in schools, homes, and public spaces, limiting the impact of government efforts.

4. Why do you think that inequality is a world phenomenon? Explain.

Answer: 

• Inequality exists in many democratic countries, not just India. For example, African-Americans in the USA faced racial discrimination and were denied equal rights.
• The Civil Rights Movement and laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the USA highlight that the fight for equality is a global issue.

III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What do you understand by the term “all persons are equal before the law”? Why do you think it is important in a democracy?

Answer: The term “all persons are equal before the law” means that every individual, regardless of their caste, religion, gender, economic status, or place of birth, is subject to the same set of laws and enjoys equal legal protection. No one is above the law, and the State must treat every citizen fairly and equally.

This principle is extremely important in a democracy because democracy is based on the idea of equality and justice. For democracy to be meaningful, all people must have the same legal rights and opportunities. It ensures that no one is discriminated against and that all individuals can live with dignity and fairness. Without legal equality, democracy would be hollow and ineffective.

2. What are the provisions mentioned in our Constitution with regard to equality among citizens?

Answer: Our Constitution includes several key provisions to ensure equality among all citizens:

• Equality before the law: Every person is treated equally in the eyes of the law, without any special privileges.
• No discrimination: The State cannot discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, caste, race, gender, or place of birth.
• Equal access to public places: All citizens have the right to access public places like roads, wells, shops, playgrounds, hotels, and restaurants.
• Abolition of untouchability: Untouchability is completely abolished and is considered a punishable offence under the law.
• Equal opportunities: Everyone has the freedom to choose their profession, education, or religion.

3. “In daily life, we still find many examples of inequality.” Explain.

Answer: Despite constitutional guarantees, inequality still exists in daily life. For example:

• Caste-based discrimination: In some places, children from lower castes are treated unfairly in schools or are made to sit separately during meals.
• Gender inequality: Women and girls may be denied education or equal job opportunities compared to men.
• Economic inequality: A large number of people still live below the poverty line and cannot access proper healthcare, education, or housing.
• Religious discrimination: People from minority religions sometimes face bias or are denied opportunities because of their faith.

4. List the advantages of the Mid-day Meal Scheme.

Answer: The Mid-day Meal Scheme has brought several positive outcomes:

• Improved attendance: More children, especially from poor families, are attending school regularly.
• Better concentration: Students are better able to concentrate on their studies as their hunger is addressed.
• Increased enrolment: The number of children enrolled in government schools has gone up.
• Women’s employment: Dalit women have been employed as cooks, providing them livelihood and dignity.
• Social integration: Children from different castes and communities eat together, helping reduce caste-based prejudices.
• Support to working parents: Mothers do not have to leave work during the day to feed their children, which supports the family’s income.

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