Textbook Solutions: Understanding Discrimination and Inequality | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Tick (✓) the correct option.

1.
Ans: (a)

2.
Ans: (c)

3.
Ans: (b)

4.
Ans: (a)

5.
Ans: (c)

6.
Ans: (b)

7.
Ans: (c)

8.
Ans: (c)

9.
Ans: (c)

II. State whether the following statements are true or false. Rewrite the statements to correct them.

1.
Ans: False. The Constitution of India promotes religious tolerance and equality among all religions.

2.
Ans: False. Caste distinctions still exist in India, although untouchability has been legally banned.

3.
Ans: True.

4.
Ans: True.

5.
Ans: True.

III. Answer the following questions in brief.

1.
Ans: Prejudice is a biased or unfavourable opinion formed about someone or something without examining the facts. Causes of prejudice include ignorance, lack of sensitivity, social bias, and differences in religion or community.

2.
Ans: Prejudice leads to conflict among communities, strengthens mistrust and suspicion, fosters racial arrogance, causes disunity and disharmony, and retards national progress.

3.
Ans: A stereotype is a fixed and oversimplified image or idea about a particular group of people, which is often not true. For example, saying "girls are not good at mathematics" is a stereotype.

4.
Ans: 

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Fought against the caste system and social injustices like sati.
• Jyotiba Phule: Worked towards the upliftment of lower castes and women's education.

5.
Ans: Apartheid was a policy of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, where non-white citizens were treated unfairly. Nelson Mandela was a prominent leader who fought against apartheid.

IV. Answer the following questions in detail.

1.
Ans: Prejudice is an unfavourable opinion formed without factual basis, often based on ignorance or social bias. Discrimination, on the other hand, is the unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on such prejudices, without considering their individual merits.

2.
Ans: Discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice. Types of discrimination include:

• Religious discrimination: Treating people unfairly based on their religion.
• Caste-based discrimination: Discrimination based on the caste system, leading to inequalities.
• Racial discrimination: Treating people differently based on their race or skin color.
• Gender discrimination: Unequal treatment based on gender, often disadvantaging women.
• Economic discrimination: Discrimination due to differences in wealth and income.

3.
Ans:

• Stereotypes for girls: "Girls are not good at mathematics," "Girls should be gentle."
• Stereotypes for boys: "Boys do not cry," "Boys are naughty."

Other stereotypes include:

• People from certain regions are lazy.
• People with physical disabilities are incapable.

Ways to break stereotypes:

• Educate people about diversity and the uniqueness of individuals.
• Encourage open discussions and challenge age-old beliefs.
• Use media and public figures to promote acceptance and tolerance.

4.
Ans: Discrimination causes social disunity, hampers national progress, leads to conflicts, and creates mistrust among different groups.
To remove discrimination:

• Implement and enforce strict laws against discrimination.
• Promote education and awareness about equality.
• Use media to spread messages of unity and tolerance.
• Support affirmative action and policies for the upliftment of disadvantaged groups.

5.
Ans:

• Right to Equality: Ensures that all citizens are equal before the law, with equal rights and opportunities, and that untouchability is abolished.
• Right to Freedom: Grants citizens the freedom to live, travel, and work anywhere within the country.
• Right against Exploitation: Protects citizens from being exploited or forced to work without pay.
• Right to Freedom of Religion: Allows every citizen to follow the religion of their choice.
• Cultural and Educational Rights: Ensures that every community can preserve and promote its language, script, and culture.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies: Empowers citizens to seek legal help if their Fundamental Rights are violated.