Relevant Background
India is one of the countries with the highest levels of inequality in the world. This issue has persisted for centuries, rooted in the caste system that started around 1500 BC (Munshi, 2019). The caste system divides people into social hierarchies based on birth and occupation, with the Brahmins, or priests, at the top and the Dalits, or untouchables, at the bottom (Munshi, 2019). This has created a deep-rooted system of inequality that has been difficult to overcome.
Additionally, some laws have been passed that have further aggravated the disparities between different social classes in India. This includes the reservation system, which grants access to education and employment opportunities to those belonging to certain lower castes. Therefore, inequality in India is a serious issue that must be addressed to ensure a more equitable society.
Economic Inequality
Economic inequality is among the many problems that affect the people of India. It refers to the unequal distribution of financial resources, wealth, and income among individuals and households in the country (Tagade et al., 2018). In India, there is a large gap between the wealthy and the poor, which has been widening over the years. The rich population holds most of the country’s wealth and has access to most resources.
Such a level of inequality negatively affects India’s economic growth and development, leading to decreased access to healthcare services. Underprivileged families are less likely to visit hospitals due to a lack of funds. Therefore, economic inequality has been linked to increasing poverty rates, slow economic growth, and regional income disparities.
The people who experience economic inequality usually feel frustrated, marginalized, and powerless. Those in the lower income brackets struggle to access necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare (Tagade et al., 2018). For example, in rural areas, many farmers cannot afford to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies to grow their crops, leading to poverty and food insecurity.
Furthermore, those living in urban areas lack access to quality education and job opportunities. These people feel like they are constantly fighting to provide for themselves and their families. In addition, they may think that the system is rigged against them and that they have limited opportunities to improve their economic situation. Thus, economically disadvantaged people in India are often frustrated and feel neglected.
However, those who benefit from economic inequality may not consider it a problem worth addressing. Such people may believe that they have worked hard to earn their wealth and that it is not their responsibility to assist others who are less fortunate. In addition, they may resist policies that aim to redistribute wealth, as they see them as a threat to their financial security. For example, the country’s wealthy elite may not support policies that would provide basic income support to the poor, as they believe this would be an unjust redistribution of resources. Therefore, individuals who benefit from economic inequality may even believe that those who are struggling are responsible for their plight and that they should work harder or make better choices.
Some Indian politicians and leaders believe that the distribution of income to the poor is financially irresponsible. In 2019, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised that every economically disadvantaged person would be guaranteed a minimum income to ensure no one goes without food (Safi, 2019). However, the opponents believe the proposal is unaffordable, questioning where the money would come from.
The critics of the scheme argued that it would strain the country’s already limited resources. In addition, they argued that the money could be better spent on other social welfare schemes, such as providing better healthcare and education. As a result, the people who are opposed to helping the needy Indians believe that the scheme is not economically viable.
Gender Inequality
Gender inequality remains a significant problem in many parts of the world. It is the unequal treatment or perception of individuals based on their gender, especially in terms of access to opportunities, resources, and rights (Anand & Thampi, 2021). This inequality can manifest in different forms, including unequal pay, limited educational and employment opportunities, social and cultural stereotypes, and discrimination.
In India, gender inequality is a significant factor that has deprived women of rights and limits their ability to participate in society. This issue has persisted despite India’s significant progress in addressing gender disparities in recent years. Therefore, gender inequality is a problem experienced in India that has adversely impacted many people, especially women.
Most women in India face a wide range of challenges, including limited access to education and employment, discrimination in the workplace, and violence and harassment. Those who experience gender inequality in India may feel frustrated, angry, and powerless. Women in India may experience a sense of hopelessness as they see little progress toward gender equality despite decades of advocacy and activism.
For example, women face discrimination in the workplace, where they are usually paid less than their male counterparts and are denied access to certain roles. They have less access to education and employment opportunities, meaning they are unable to compete on a level playing field in the job market. Despite decades of advocacy and activism, many women in India still suffer from gender inequality, feeling powerless and frustrated.
Gender inequality in India is a major issue that has been pervasive throughout the country for centuries. This has created many disparities between men and women, including unequal access to education, health care, and employment opportunities. However, many people in India still do not see gender inequality as a problem worthy of addressing.
One of the biggest areas of contention is the issue of equal pay in the workplace. Opponents claim this idea goes against traditional values and social norms. They assert that men should be the family’s main breadwinners and that women should stay home and care for the household. Therefore, gender inequality is a problem that could adversely impact the people of India.
Moreover, some men contradict the campaign to eliminate gender inequality in India. For example, a gender equality initiative in India that has faced resistance from people, especially men, is the recent Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign (Sharma & Borgohain, 2022). This campaign seeks to reduce female feticide and improve girls’ access to education.
Despite its efforts to increase gender equality, many men have resisted the campaign, viewing it as a threat to their power and control over women. This has led to a backlash against the campaign, including attempts to discredit its successes and undermine its goals. As a result, despite the progress made in India, much work still needs to be done to attain gender equality.
References
Anand, I., & Thampi, A. (2021). The crisis of extreme inequality in India. The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 64(3), 663-683. Web.
Munshi, K. (2019). Caste and the Indian economy. Journal of Economic Literature, 57(4), 781-834. Web.
Safi, M. (2019). India’s main opposition promises universal basic income for the poor. The Guardian. Web.
Sharma, G., & Borgohain, K. (2022). Beti Bachao Beti Parhao: An Indian government initiative to promote gender equality. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(4), 5142-5145. Web.
Tagade, N., Naik, A. K., & Thorat, S. (2018). Wealth ownership and inequality in India: A socio-religious analysis. Journal of Social Inclusion Studies, 4(2), 196-213. Web.