SOCIAL ISSUES IN INDIA

                      SOCIAL ISSUES IN India.

India is an ancient country and according to some estimates, Indian civilization is about five thousand years of age. Therefore, it is natural that its society will also be very old and complex. Throughout its long period of history, India has witnessed and received several waves of immigrants such as Aryans, Muslims, etc. These people brought with themselves their own ethnic varieties and cultures and contributed to India’s diversity, richness, and vitality.

social issues

Reasons for Social Problems:-

But the very same complexity brings with itself the complex nature of social problems and issues. In fact, every society of the world has its social issues unique to its society. So does Indian society. Indian society is very rooted in religious beliefs; there are people of different religious beliefs such as Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, etc. These all add to the socio-cultural varieties of the country. India’s social problems are also rooted in the religious practices and beliefs of its people. Almost all forms of social issues and problems find their origin in the religious and cultural practices of the people of India. These social problems are developed in a long period of time and are still continuing in one form or another.

Furthermore, India has witnessed several wars of large proportions; several foreign invaders attacked India in its long history among whom few made this country as their own and tried to force their socio-religious practices which also deteriorated social conditions; the long period of British rule crippled the country and had thrown it into backwardness. Thus, many such reasons may be cited for India’s social problems but the fact remains that we have these issues and only we can solve them.

Social Issues

FORMS OF SOCIAL ISSUES IN INDIA:-

Child Marriage

Child Marriage

According to the United Nations report, India has the second-highest number of child marriages. Marriage is considered to be a sacred union between two mature and consenting individuals who are ready to accept each other and share responsibilities for a lifetime. With respect to this context, child marriages happen to be an unsound institution. Child marriage mars the innocence of childhood. The Indian Constitution provides for prohibitions against child marriage through various laws and enactments. The first law that was designed was the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 which extended to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. This act defines the ages of an adult male and female. Also, sex with minors is a criminal offense under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. Proper media sensitization is required for a major change to take place. While on one hand, it is stated that child marriage will still take nearly fifty years to be eradicated, genuine efforts, strict enforcement of the legal provisions, and change the scenarios to a great extent.

Child Labour

Child Labour

Child labor typically means the employment of children in any work with or without payment. Child labor is not only limited to India, but it also happens to be a global phenomenon. As far as India is concerned, the issue is a vicious one as children in India have historically been helping parents at their farms and other primitive activities. Overpopulation, illiteracy, poverty, debt trap are some of the common causes which are instrumental in this issue. Overburdened, debt-trapped parents fail to understand the importance of a normal childhood under the pressures of their own troubles and thus it leads to the poor emotional and mental balance of a child’s brain which is not prepared to undertake rigorous field or domestic tasks. Multinational companies also recruit children in garment industries for more work and less pay which is absolutely unethical. Child labor as a global concern has been raised on international platforms as well. Abolition of child trafficking, elimination of poverty, free and compulsory education, and basic standards of living can reduce the problem to a great extent. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund can help in eradicating poverty by providing loans to the developing countries. Strict implementation of labor laws is also essential in order to prevent exploitation by parties or multinational companies.

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Homosexuality

Homosexuality is still considered a ‘taboo’ in India. India today is one of the fastest developing nations with impressive economic growth rates. But is the growth rate enough to imply that India is a developing nation? A nation is also characterized by the way it treats its people. With respect to this prerogative, the way India looks at homosexuality is certainly not the way to look at it. Homosexuality is considered a disease by most sections of the society and there are only a few sections of the society that welcome homosexuality. Homosexuality thus is also regarded as a criminal offense in India. Homosexuality is a ‘criminal offense’ under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code dating back to 1861 with punishments up to ten years which makes it all the harder to believe that India is a progressive nation and that we are the 21st-century inhabitants of the country. Although, this subject did see the light of the day when the Delhi High Court legalized gay sex among consenting adults holding that making it a criminal offense violates fundamental human rights way back in the year 2009 as a result of persuasive struggles carried out by Gay Rights activists and foundations.