Q.12 Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a lot of people don't share his views. Many people feel that illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your view and share these with the class.
Answer (1)
The question of whether every adult, regardless of literacy, should have the right to vote is significant in understanding democratic principles and potential forms of discrimination. Here are five points supporting the stance that denying illiterate people the right to vote would indeed be a form of discrimination:
Equality and Non-Discrimination : Democratic principles are built on the foundation of equal rights. Denying voting rights based on literacy is discriminatory, as it treats people unequally based on an arbitrary criterion. It implies that literacy equates to political competency, which is not necessarily true.
Universal Suffrage : The concept of universal suffrage means that all adults have the right to vote, regardless of race, gender, education, or economic status. Restricting voting rights on the basis of literacy undermines this principle and moves away from an inclusive democratic society.
Right to Representation : Every individual, literate or not, lives under the laws and policies made by elected officials. Therefore, they should have a say in who represents them. Voting is a right, not a privilege, and everyone should have the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their lives.
Historical Context : Historically, literacy tests were used in various countries, including the United States, to disenfranchise certain groups, particularly African Americans. Such practices have been recognized as discriminatory and have been banned in democratic countries.
Diverse Contributions : Literacy doesn't necessarily correlate with wisdom or understanding of life challenges. Many illiterate individuals contribute significantly to society through their work and experiences. Their perspectives are valuable, and they should have the opportunity to vote for policies that affect their community and livelihood.
Thus, denying illiterate people the right to vote not only perpetuates discrimination but also undermines the very essence of democracy, which is to include and represent all citizens equally.
