Page 231 - SST Class 08

IMPACT OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY ON centuries, the framers of our constitution have
ECONOMIC EQUALITY reserved some seats for the schedule castes,

A large majority of the schedule castes and schedule tribes and other backward communities
schedule tribes live in rural areas and tribal belts. in educational institutions and government jobs.
They have little or no access to education. RESERVATIONS
Developments in the rest of the country have had Reservation of seats for the schedule castes,
little impact upon these people. Consequently, schedule tribes and other backward communities
they remain backward communities. has been a much-debated issue. There is a
People from lower castes face social discrimina- general feeling that reservations were felt neces-
tion. They are not allowed to intermingle with the sary to break the stronghold of the upper castes
higher castes. Many of them are forced to do in order to establish a more democratic society.
menial work at low wages. Many of them are Without reservations the lower castes, schedule
uneducated. Lack of education affects their castes schedule tribes and other backward
economic position and this leads to economic communities will continue to remain backward.
inequalities. Their social position in society Reservations of seats will in the long-term help
prevents them from getting better jobs. integrate these people into mainstream life and
In order to uplift these marginalised groups and fulfill the vision of an India as envisaged by the
rectify the injustices perpetrated upon them for framers of our constitution.

An Analysis of Reservation in India
Scheduled Tribes (ST)
7.5%

Scheduled Castes (SC)
15%

Merit
40.5%

Other Backward Castes (OBC)
27%

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Law Times Journal
10%

Terminology

Discriminate : to recognise a distinction
Restricted : limited in extent, number, scope or action
Indignities : treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or to lose one’s dignity
Perpetrate : to commit a crime or do something wrong or evil
Economic inequality : Lack of access of education for lower castes people affected their economic
position, this leads to economic inequality
Social justice : a society in which there is economic and social equality

Social Science-8 231