1. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

Def : R M MacIver described society as a changing “web of social relations,” cantered

around individuals.

 coexistence of tradition and modernity (e-darshan , allopathian Ayush)

Dialogues :
 “India is not a nation, nor a country. It is a subcontinent of nationalities, a
museum of tongues, and a laboratory of religions.” – Dr. Radhakrishnan
 Salad Bowl Model
 Kosh kosh pe pani badle, 4 kosh pe Vani.
India is multi-religious, racial, linguistic, and cultural. Despite invasions and differences, it
has preserved unity.

“Unity in diversity” defines India’s national character.

1. Various forms of Diversity in India

a. Geographical diversity: From deserts to forests, Himalayas to plains—India’s vast
topography shapes local cultures.

b. Religious diversity: India is home to Hindus (79.9%), Muslims (14.2%), Christians,

Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains.

c. Language: 780 languages identified (50 extinct in 5 decades); India is described as a

“Museum of tongues.”

d. Cultural Diversity: India is among the most plural and multicultural societies
globally.

e. Caste diversity: Caste as a rigid, birth-based social hierarchy unique to India.

f. Racial diversity: Historical migrations made India a ‘melting pot’ of races and tribes.

2. Factors Leading to Unity Amidst Diversity in India

a. Geographical factor: India’s physical boundaries and not allowed to dissociate.
b. Constitutional identity: Fundamental rights apply to all, promoting equality and
unity.
c. Inter-State mobility: Article 19(1)(d) ensures nationwide mobility, fostering
fraternity.
d. Religious co-existence: Articles 25–28 ensure religious freedom and harmony.
e. Cultural Unity: Common threads in literature, traditions, and celebrations like
Republic Day. –“Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat”
f. Fairs and festivals: Shared celebrations like Kumbh Mela, Diwali etc promote
integration.
g. Emotional Unity: Films and sports transcend regional divides (e.g., pan-India movie
appeal).

3. Factors that Threaten India’s Unity

a. Rising regional aspiration: Regionalism can overpower national interest (e.g.,
Vidarbha Demand, Dravida Nation, Purvanchal).
b. Development deficit: Uneven development fuels unrest (e.g., Naxalism). – “Internal
colonization of NE”
c. Divisive politics: Caste/religion-based vote banks polarize communities, hate
speeches. Recent Kannada language row.
d. Ethnic diversity and nativism: Resource competition causes inter-group conflicts
(e.g., Manipur 2023 – Kuki Meiti)
e. Religious Intolerance:
f. “I” Feeling has overpowered “We” Feeling.
g. Caste conflicts recurrent.
h. Discrimination against migrants
i. Linguistic chauvinism- Supra state regionalism north versus South over Hindi

4. Way Forward :

a. Incorporate diversity in education: Promote cultural sensitivity, interfaith

dialogue, and a culture of global citizenship in school and university curricula.
b. Regulate hate speech: Committees like the “M.P. Bezbaruah Committee “
have proposed adding specific criminal provisions for hate speech and racial
discrimination.
c. Foster cultural exchange: Encourage inter-state scholarships and cultural exchanges
to build empathy and appreciation for diversity.
d. Promote economic integration: Create economic opportunities for all communities
to bridge social divisions based on cultural or ethnic differences.
e. Strengthen constitutional safeguards: like Articles 29 and 30, which protect
minority rights, and hold political parties accountable for divisive rhetoric.
f. Promote multilingualism: as recommended by the National Education Policy 2020.
g. Enhance governance: and increase civic society's role.
h. Counter extremism: Work with faith-based organizations and religious leaders to
counter the abuse of religion by extremists.
 8.6% of population as per 2011 census.
 Reserved seats: Articles 330 and 332 provide for the reservation of seats for STs in
the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
 National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Article 338A
 Article 46 (DPSP)
 Reservation in public services: Article 335 ensures that the claims of STs
 Forest Rights Act 2006
 Schedule 5,6
 PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996)

1. Problems of Tribal Population:

a. JAL-JUNGLE - JAMEEN issue.

b. Poor Developmental indicators
c. Land Alienation- Displacement –Naxals
d. Dwindling Population
e. Ineffective implementation of FRA 2006, PESA
f. Forced religious conversions – when they migrate outside
g. Poor delivery of govt services
h. Envt. Degradation
i. insurgency and stereotyped as naxals
j. less political participation

2. Issue of Integration and Autonomy:

a. Integrationist : like GS Ghurye :- “Backward Caste Hindus” , backwardness

due to imperfect integration into Hindu Society.
b. Isolationist :- Verrier Elvin – “ Create National Parks “ to protect distinct
culture from disintegration.
c. Nehru’s Tribal Panchsheel :
3. Way forward:

d. Self- confidence- There is a need to take up massive awareness

creation activities among the tribal to make them realise their development
potential.
e. Area based approach should be adopted to create infrastructure and road
connectivity.
f. EIA and Proper rehabilitation
g. Effective monitoring of the funds meant for various tribal development
activities is necessary.
h. Comprehensive skill development programs
i. Formal education and institutional finance through village institutions and Self
Help Groups need to be intensified in the tribal areas by a focused approach.
j. Various Schemes :- PM JANMAN, Refer current Affairs

4. Committees :

a. Bhuria Committee (for PESA Act),

b. the Xaxa Committee (for a broad study of tribal issues)
2. Role of women and women’s organization + Family +
Marriage

“ From Womb to Tomb”

Lolita Sarkar –“ Women at different stages of life –always in anxiety”

“Women suffer from the very disease of being a Woman”

a. Patriarchy, patriarchal bargain (Women role in perpetuating patriarchy-

internalized, hegemony)
b. Boy child as inheritor and girl child as Paraya Dhan

c. Skewed job participation

d. Private patriarchy transformed to public patriarchy ( Sylvia Walby)

e. Harassment at workplace – POSH
f. Wage gap (33% WEF)
g. Time poverty [Kriti v/s Oriental insurance company case women spent 299
minutes per day on unpaid work. Men spent only 97minutes.]
h. Devi –Dasi dichotomy [Veena Das]
i. Purity and pollution principle extended to women (Uma
Chakravarty- menstruating women - xkitchen , xtemple)
j. Motherhood penalty, biological clock coincides with carrier progression
k. Postpartum recovery and health rejuvenation
l. Objectification of Women (Kabir Singh, Animal), Control Over
Women's Bodies, Subordination of Women

Gender stereotype impact on social position

Women are caring and nurturing domestic division of labour and under valuation of
care work

Women have soft skills concentration in pink collar jobs like receptionist
nurse

Women are emotional rather than Glass ceiling and glass cliff, sticky floor example
rational only 4% women are CEOs (Deloitte), 11% board
members

Women are weak, passive, and violence against women, NCRB data points out that
dependent 4.2 lakh cases of violence against women in 2024

Government Schemes and Initiative :

a. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Promotes girls’ education and gender equality.
b. Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: Supports meritorious girls in STEM fields.
c. GATI Scheme: Develops a gender equality charter in STEM institutions.
d. WEST Initiative (2022): Promotes women’s access to S&T facilities.
e. BioCARe: Encourages women scientists in biotechnology.
f. CAA 106th – 1/3 rd reservation
g. Permanent commission in armes forces (Babita Puniya Case)
h. POSH act 2013
i. …………………………………….. Current Affairs etc

Intro: culturally recognised union between spouses ( union + sanctioned)

a. Nuclear family with extended ties, (functionally joint structurally nuclear)

b. Increasing single parent, household,(divorce is no longer a taboo- forever, love has
 change into love till further notice)
c. female headed household, (Male specific migration)
d. cohabitation/ live in relationship, (desacralisation of marriage, legal recognition under
statutory laws e.g domestic violence act) [case laws: S Khushboo 2010, Lata Singh
2006]
e. dual carrier family –DINK families
f. conjugal-symmetrical family (end of sexual division of labour and public private
differentiation)
g. Inter-caste 5% & Inter faith 2.6% marriages.
h. Neo-locality
i. Decline in authority of Karta
j. Increased role of external agencies in Families and Marriages – eg – [Link],
Creche etc.
k. Functional alternatives ( decline in traditional functions of family)
l. Change in interaction within family ( Filiocentric Decision making)
m. Dharma to lifelong companionship
n. Polygamy polyandry are legally prohibited -Monogamy universal idea
o. Pre puberty to post puberty, 14 ->18 -> 21 years (Jaya jetli comm.)
p. Sacred to contractual/non-sacrilegious institution
q. Straight monogamy to serial monogamy
r. Same sex marriages/ sologamy ( Navtej Singh Johar, 2018 Case)