1) In reality, equality does not fully exist in India as there are differences between the rich and poor and the caste system remains rigid, denying Dalits and minorities dignity and equality. 2) Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth but in practice social and economic inequalities remain. 3) Government schemes like the mid-day meal program have helped increase school enrollment and attendance of poor children but have not fully ensured social and economic equality.

1. CLASS: 7 CIVICS CHAPTER-1

8. Does Equality Exist?
• In reality, a difference
exists between rich and
poor.
• the caste system is also
rigid.
• Dalits in India and
minorities are denied
the right to dignity and
equality.

11. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

12. Excerpt from Article 15 of the
Indian Constitution:

24. Points to be remember
The CIVIL RIGHTSACT of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the
basis of race, religion or national origin.
Equality is the soul of Indian democracy.
The Midday meal scheme is one of the various steps – of the
government in this direction.
Dalit means broken. Dalits belong to the unprivileged class.
This scheme has helped increase the enrolment and attendance of poor
children in the school.
 UniversalAdult Franchise gives political equality to the people but it
does not ensure social and economic equality.

25. Key words
Equality, Democracy, Civil Right, Caste system, Dalit,
Dignity, Constitution, Movement
Define the term
 Dalit- It means broken.
 Dignity--- Thinking of oneself and other persons as
worthy of respect.
 UniversalAdult Franchise- The Right to vote given to
all adult above the age of 18 years.
 Equality- Equality is the soul of Indian Democracy.

26. 1. What are the key elements of a democracy?
•The key elements of a democratic government are people’s participation, the
resolution of conflict and equality and justice.
•Equality is the main feature of democracry. It influences its functioning.
2. What are the main aspects of Kanta’s story?
The story tells us about two different aspects of status of people in our country. On the
election day Kanta and Sujata along stood in the queue for voting. All others including
Kanta’s sahib also stood in the same queue. This made them feel like an equal citizen.
Kanta’s daughter was not well but she had to finish her daily work and take advance
before she could take her to the doctor. Even there she had to stand in queue in
government hospital to wait for her turn. She realized that, line had only poor people
like her. If her employer had to go to doctor they can afford a private doctor.
3.Does Kanta has enough reason to doubt the equality level of citizens?
Yes, Kanta has enough reasons to doubt whether she is really equal. Reasons:
She cannot skip work even when her daughter is ill.
She does not have enough money to take her daughter to doctor.
She has to stand in line at a government hospital for her turn to show her daughter to
the doctor.
Equal Right to Vote

27. 4.Who is allowed to vote in India?
In a democratic country, like India, all adults aged 18 years or above
irrespective of their religion, education, caste, rich or poor are allowed to
vote.
5.What is universal adult franchise? What is the basis of it?
•Voting right to all adults is called universal adult franchise.
•It is an essential aspect of all democracies.
•The idea of universal adult franchise is based on the idea of equality
because it states that every adult in a country, irrespective of their wealth and
the communities, he/she belongs to, has one vote.
6.What are the basis on which we are treated unequally?
•Caste, religion, class background whether we are male or female—are often
the things that determine why we are treated unequally.
•Omprakash Valmiki and the Ansaris are being treated unequally on the basis
of differences of caste and religion.

28. 7.What is Dalit?
•Dalit is a term that the so-called lower castes use to address themselves.
•Dalit means ‘broken’.
•By using this word, lower castes point to how they were and continue to be
seriously discriminated against.
8.Briefly write about the unequal treatment that Omprakash Valmiki had
to face in his early years.
Omprakash Valmiki in his autobiography, Joothan, wrote about his
experience. During his schooling days he had to sit on the floor outside the
class. In class IV he had to sweep the school and a huge playground.
He became a spectacle for everyone was watching him. He was covered with
dust and was not even allowed to drink water. He was made to do this for few
days until one day his father by chance saw him. His father confronted the
teacher and told them that one day Omprakash would study right there and
many more would follow him.

29. QUESTION OF THE DAY:
1. What is the position of equality in India, a democratic
country?
2. What are the provisions in the Constitution of India in respect
of recognition of equality?
3. Describe the two ways in which government has tried to
implement the equality.
4. What is the most important step the government has taken to
end inequality?
5. How has the mid day meal programme improved the
attendance level in schools?
6. Describe the incident of a day with Rosa Parks. What did the
incident lead to?