On Equality

Dignity: Dignity refers to thinking of oneself and other person as worthy of respect.

Democracy: Democracy means a government of the people, by people and for the people.

Key Elements of a Democracy: Key elements of a democracy are people's participation, the resolution of conflict and equality and justice.

Equality: It stands for abolition of privilege and providing equal opportunities to all persons inhabiting the state.

Universal Adult Franchise : Universal adult franchise means all adult citizens have the right to vote irrespective of their social or economic backgrounds.

Dalit: Dalit means broken. This term is used by the so-called lower castes to address themselves.

Constitution: Constitution is a written or unwritten document. It lays down the basic rules regulations for people and the government in the country to follow.

Civil Rights Movement : The civil Rights Movement was one that began in the united States of America in the 1950s. In this movement African American people demanded equal rights and an end to racial discrimination.

The Civil Rights Act: The Civil Right Act was pased by the United States' Government in 1964. It prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion or national origin.

Answer the following questions

1. In a democracy why is universal adult franchise important ?

ans. (i) It is based on principles of equality.

       (ii) It authorizes every adult citizens in a country to caste one vote irrespective of her/ his wealth and the communities she/ she belongs to.

2. Re-read the box on Article 15 and state two ways in which this Article address.

ans. Article 15 given in the box addresses inequality in the following two ways:

(i) the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the basis of his/her religion, race, caste,sex place of birth or any of them. Here inequality can be ground for discrimination.

(ii) No citizen shall be discriminated or restricted against only on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or any one of them in respect of

(a)Visiting shop, public restaurants, hotes and public places of entertainment.

(b)using public places maintained by the funds of the state or meat for public use like well, ponds, bathing ghats, roads and tourist places.

3. In what ways Omprakash Valmiki's experience similar to that of the Ansaris?

ans. (i) The dignity of both Omprakash Valmiki and the Ansaris was violated. They were made victim of inequality in treatment.

(ii) Omprakash was made to sweep the school because of his low caste. And Ansari was refused to lease the apartments because of their religion.

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

ans. All persons before law means:

(a) All person from the President of the country to a democratic worker, have to obey the same laws

(b) No person can be discriminated against on the basis of his/ her religion, race, caste, place of birth or female or male,

(c) Everyone has the right to attend to all public places like play ground, hotels shops, markets wells, roads bathing ghats.

(d) Untouchability has been abolished. Equality before law is important because it is the basic principal(backbone) of democracy.

It also involves some kind of equality of income and absence of privileges and social discrimination.