Chapter 6: The Challenges of Cultural Diversity – NCERT Solutions

Q1 What is meant by cultural diversity? Why is India considered to be a very diverse country?

Cultural Diversity refers to the presence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society. It implies that people live together with different languages, religions, races, and customs.

India is considered very diverse because:

Language: According to the Linguistic Survey of India, there are 179 languages and 544 dialects. Currently, the Constitution recognizes 22 official languages.
Religion: India is home to all major religions of the world: Hinduism (79.8%), Islam (14.2%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.
Race & Caste: The population includes diverse racial groups (Aryan, Dravidian, Mongoloid) and thousands of castes and sub-castes.

Q2 What is community identity and how is it formed?

Community Identity is based on birth and belonging rather than personal achievement. It is an “ascriptive” identity—you are born into it.

                Formation:
                It is formed through the process of socialization within the family and kinship networks.
It involves learning a shared language, religion, and cultural values.
It creates a strong emotional bond or a “We-feeling” (e.g., “We are Bengalis” or “We are Sikhs”), which provides security and a sense of place in the world.

            

Q3 Why is it difficult to define the nation? How are nation and state related in modern society?

Difficulty in Definition: It is hard to define a “nation” because there is no single criterion that applies to all nations. Some are based on shared religion, others on shared language, and others on shared history or geography. A nation is ultimately a community that believes it is a nation.

Nation and State Relationship:

Nation: A cultural and political community.
State: A legal and administrative entity with a government and territory.
Nation-State: In modern times, the two have merged. Nations seek their own state (sovereignty), and states try to build a sense of nationhood among their citizens to ensure loyalty and legitimacy.

Q4 Why are states often suspicious of cultural diversity?

States are often suspicious because:

Fear of Fragmentation: They fear that strong distinct identities (like linguistic or ethnic groups) might lead to separatism or the breakup of the nation.
Administrative Difficulty: It is easier to rule a homogeneous population with one language and one law. Diversity complicates administration.
Political Stability: Diversity can lead to social conflict (e.g., communal riots), which threatens the stability of the state.

Q5 What is regionalism? What factors is it usually based on?

Regionalism is the ideology of commitment to a particular region (and its language/culture) rather than to the nation as a whole.

Factors it is based on:

Geographical Concentration: Distinct populations living in a specific area.
Historical Identity: A sense of distinct history or kingdom in the past.
Language: This is the most potent factor in India (e.g., Tamil regionalism).
Regional Deprivation: A feeling that the region has been economically neglected by the Central government (e.g., Jharkhand or Telangana movements).

Q6 In your opinion, has the linguistic reorganisation of states helped or harmed India?

The linguistic reorganisation (started in 1956) has largely helped India.

                Reasons:
                Strengthened Unity: Instead of breaking India, it removed a major source of grievance. Once people’s cultural identities were recognized, they were happy to be part of the Union.
Better Administration: Governance is more effective when done in the language of the common people.
Deepened Democracy: It allowed local leaders and non-English speakers to participate in politics.

            

Q7 What is a ‘minority’? Why do minorities need protection from the state?

Definition: Sociologically, a minority is not just a group with smaller numbers. It is a group that is relatively small in number and often disadvantaged or vulnerable compared to the dominant group.

Need for Protection:

Demographic Dominance: In a democracy, “rule of the majority” can easily become “tyranny of the majority,” leading to the suppression of minority cultures.
Preservation of Diversity: Without state protection (cultural rights), minority languages and religions might be wiped out by the dominant culture.
Equality: Special protections are needed to ensure they are not discriminated against in jobs, housing, or politics.

Q8 What is communalism?

Communalism refers to aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity. It involves:

Believing that people of the same religion have common political, economic, and social interests that are different from other religions.
Mobilizing people for political power based on religious hatred.
Viewing other religious communities as enemies or opponents.

Q9 What are the different senses in which ‘secularism’ has been understood in India?

Western Sense: Strict separation of Church and State. The State does not interfere in religion, and religion does not interfere in the State.
Indian Sense: Sarva Dharma Sambhava (Equal respect for all religions). The Indian state is not anti-religious; it engages with all religions but does not favor one over the other. It intervenes to protect rights (e.g., banning untouchability in Hinduism or reforming Triple Talaq in Islam).

Q10 What is the relevance of civil society organisations today?

Civil Society refers to the sphere of voluntary associations between the family and the state (e.g., NGOs, media, trade unions).

                Relevance:
                Watchdogs: They hold the government accountable and expose corruption (e.g., RTI activists).
Voice for the Marginalized: They highlight issues neglected by political parties, such as tribal rights, environment, or gender justice.
Service Delivery: NGOs often provide services (education, health) in areas where the state is absent or inefficient.

            