Can you find illustrative examples of conflict drawn from Indian society? Discuss the causes that led to conflict in each instance.
Conflicts are an inherent part of any society and have always existed, though they become more visible with social change and assertion of democratic rights by disadvantaged groups.
One illustrative example of conflict in Indian society is peasant movements, which represent an overt expression of deep rooted conflict over land resources. The cause of such conflict lies in the scarcity of resources, where groups struggle to gain access to and control over these resources.
Another significant area of conflict is the family and household. These conflicts arise from competing interests within the domestic sphere, where different members may have divergent claims and expectations from one another.
Conflicts in Indian society also emerge on various bases such as class or caste, tribe or gender, and ethnicity or religious community. These conflicts stem from structural inequalities where disadvantaged and discriminated groups assert their rights, making conflicts more visible.
Additionally, developing countries like India serve as arenas for conflict between the old and the new. The old order is no longer able to meet the new forces and aspirations of the people, yet it remains alive. This produces discord, confusion, and on occasion, even bloodshed. The old order also perpetrated inhuman cruelties on vast sections of the population, which were forms of conflict even when not openly expressed.
Explanation
The textbook context provides specific examples of conflict in Indian society: (1) Peasant movements arising from land resource conflicts, (2) Family and household conflicts, (3) Conflicts based on class, caste, tribe, gender, ethnicity, and religion, and (4) Conflicts between old and new orders in developing societies. The causes include scarcity of resources, competing interests, structural inequalities, and the inability of traditional orders to meet new aspirations. The answer emphasizes that conflict has always existed but becomes more visible when disadvantaged groups assert their democratic rights.