"Democratic citizenship is a project rather than an accomplished fact even in countries like India which grant equal citizenship". Discuss some of the issues regarding citizenship being raised in India today.
Democratic citizenship is indeed a project rather than an accomplished fact because even in countries like India which grant equal citizenship, various groups continue to struggle for full rights.
Firstly, the women's movement represents a significant struggle where women feel they are being denied the full rights of citizenship despite constitutional provisions for equality.
Secondly, the dalit movement highlights how certain communities continue to face marginalisation and discrimination, preventing them from fully exercising their citizenship rights even when these rights are formally granted.
Thirdly, struggles of people displaced by development projects show how economic development can create new categories of marginalised citizens who feel excluded from full membership of the political community.
These examples demonstrate that new issues are constantly being raised as societies change and new demands are made by groups who feel they are being marginalised. In a democratic state, these demands have to be negotiated. The experience of India indicates that democratic citizenship in any country is an ideal to work towards, not a finished achievement.
Explanation
The textbook context clearly outlines that despite inclusive provisions, struggles continue through movements like the women's movement, dalit movement, and struggles of displaced people. The key point is that citizenship is an ongoing project where new issues emerge as society changes, and marginalised groups raise new demands that must be negotiated in a democracy.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Explain the concept of democratic citizenship as a project/ideal
Step 2: Discuss the women's movement as an example of citizenship struggle
Step 3: Discuss the dalit movement as another example
Step 4: Discuss struggles of people displaced by development projects
Step 5: Conclude with the idea that new issues constantly emerge and need negotiation in democracies