Page 118 - Journeys Through Society-7

of discrimination. The term 'equality' denotes not only SOCIAL EQUALITY
social status but equal opportunities and the equality
Social equality is concerned with the distribution of
of different religions. The Right to Equality is based on
social goods, such as income, wealth, opportunity,
the following basic principles:
education and healthcare. Social equality would then
• All people are equal before law. mean equal opportunity to access education and
• No person can be discriminated on the basis of healthcare.
their religion, caste, race, gender or colour. The most common form of social inequality in India is

• Every person has equal access to public places and the caste system. The caste system is an ancient
facilities like playgrounds, hotels, religious places, practice of creating a hierarchy of status in society,
shops, markets, parks, wells and canals. where fixed social roles have been inherited and
• Untouchability has been abolished. Anyone who practised since ancient times. In urban India, the caste
practises it can be punished under law. system has weakened due to frequent intermingling
of people. The Constitution of India has passed laws
• There are three parameters through which
that prohibit discrimination against people based on
equality can be measured in any society.
race, gender or caste. These ensure that people are
POLITICAL EQUALITY treated equally by employers, governments and other
members of society. However, caste distinctions still
Political equality means granting citizenship and equal
play a divisive role in our society.
rights to all members of the state, and also, ensuring
conditions that allow the citizens to participate in the
affairs of the state. This is made possible by the
Constitution, which gives every Indian who is 18 years
of age and above the right to vote. This right is
understood as the Universal Adult Franchise.
Universal Adult Franchise is an essential feature of all
modern democracies, as it ensures political equality in
the society. The implication of this is that everyone is
equal. However, in reality not everyone is treated as
equal. Social equality

One of the worst manifestations of social inequality is
the practice of untouchability. Article 17 of the
Constitution of India abolishes 'untouchability', and
its practice in any form has been made an offence
punishable under the law. Despite all these steps
inequality still permeates our society.

Recognising Dignity

All forms of discrimination are prohibited by the
Voters lining up to vote
Constitution of India, because all Indians deserve the
ECONOMIC EQUALITY same respect and dignity .

Economic equality refers to a situation or condition For a long time, class, religion and colour of the skin
where all the citizens of a particular country are given have determined people's status and the treatment
equal access to wealth and opportunities. However, meted out to them in society. Such discrimination has
often, people who are poor or those who belong to not completely disappeared from Indian society.
the marginalised sections of society, such as a lower
caste or lower class, are discriminated.
111