Which of the following violate the principles of equality? And why?
Every child in class will read the text of the play by turn.
This does NOT violate the principle of equality. It ensures that every child gets an equal opportunity to participate and read the text. This is treating everyone in an identical manner, which is consistent with equality.
The Government of Canada encouraged white Europeans to migrate to Canada from the end of the Second World War till 1960.
This VIOLATES the principle of equality. It makes distinctions between human beings on grounds of race and colour. Such distinctions are unacceptable as they deny people the same respect and consideration due to their common humanity. This policy favoured white Europeans over others, which is discriminatory.
There is a separate railway reservation counter for the senior citizens.
This does NOT violate the principle of equality. While reflecting on equality, a distinction must be made between treating everyone in an identical manner and treating everyone as equal. The latter may need differential treatment where the primary consideration is to promote equality. A separate counter for senior citizens is justified special treatment.
Access to some forest areas is reserved for certain tribal communities.
This does NOT violate the principle of equality. This is an example of differential treatment to realise the goal of equality. Such special treatment for tribal communities is justified as it protects their rights and livelihood, promoting substantive equality rather than mere formal equality.
Explanation
The context clarifies that equality does not always mean identical treatment. Differential treatment may be justified when it promotes equality. However, distinctions based on race and colour violate equality as they deny equal respect and consideration to all human beings. Option (b) is clearly discriminatory based on race, while options (c) and (d) represent justified differential treatment that promotes equality for disadvantaged groups.