TOPIC

how societal norms differ across varying social groups and strata
 
3 main issues she told us to pick
 
1. Domestic violence
2. Cow vigilante
3. Caste
F345
3 MAIN COLLEGES:
 
1. Hindu Girls college
2. OP Jindal University
3. Ashoka University
3 MAIN ISSUES
 
1. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
2. CASTE
3. COW VIGILATISM
1. HINDU GIRLS COLLEGE
 
1. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
 
GROUP 1
Domestic violence/ Patriarchal violence and Eve teasing and assault
The first question was met with laughter and strange worried looks from some. After
rephrasing the question from personal to a bigger level, it was only then Suman, a 19-year-
old shared with us how her neighbour gets drunk and beats up his wife and kids. He
sometimes even does it publicly and isn’t afraid of the repercussions at all. We then asked the
whole class if they knew such offenses were punishable and needed police attention. All of
them replied with a faint yes as if they were trained to do so. Suman also added that a
complaint has never been filed as it is against the wishes of the family. Upon bringing up the
subject of eve teasing, most girls were reluctant to answer and when they did, they called it
“normal” and “inevitable”. It mostly happens in public places but as we moved forward to
sexual assault, the whole class went silent
 
 
GROUP 2
This survey included 5 girls selected randomly – Neha (20), Neha (20), Preeti (20), Garima
(20) and Tanu (18). The students were studying B.A. (Hons.), B.A. Economics (Hons.).
They were dressed in kurtas and wore jackets, very modest dressing. Minimal makeup, a few
girls wore a bindi (the hindu dot worn on their forehead). The girls were equally comfortable
in using hindi words when discussing prevailing social matters. All 5 girls are from Sonipat
City and relate to city life more than village life. 4 of the girls went to govt. schools and 1 girl
went to a private school (an all-girls school).
 
Domestic violence/ Patriarchal violence and Eve teasing and assault
Most girls nodded a ‘no’, hesitantly. They all shared the common sentiment that they had
never been exposed to any domestic violence. They all agreed that the area is definitely
unsafe and daily they hear cases in the news about harassment done by men. They do hear
that men circle women around train stations or other public areas. They also said that they
face the ‘normal’, ‘usual’ behaviour of men in the community.
 
 
 
GROUP 3
The group of girls interviewed were from the Jat and Brahmin community i.e., the upper
caste. The girls – Jyothi (19), Richa (20), Ankita (18)- appearance wise they dressed less
traditional than the others. They wore denims and faux leather jackets which shows the
influence western culture has had on them, this group dressed especially modern compared to
the other girls on campus. Every group of girls had a similar dressing style. Fidgeting,
nervous especially when violence was mentioned. Although they did not wear much makeup,
a little lipstick was present and they’re all very neatly dressed. This group of girls had
smartphones and their modern mindset also reflected in their behaviour. Before attending
college, they studied in government schools and are now pursuing vocational courses in
college. The common occupation among the parents is teacher and farmer.
 
Domestic violence/ Patriarchal violence and Eve teasing and assault
Their parents were supportive of their education as a result of which the girls aim for a career.
However, prejudice against female education is still prevalent among the older generation
especially the grandparents and relatives of the girls of Hindu College, Sonipat. Most families
encourage female education owing to the “Beti bachao, beti padhao” campaign but the
question still arises whether this encouragement is so that they can find an adequate job or a
suitable husband. When asked “Is this education for them to be qualified employees or
educated suitors?” they responded that many of their classmates are married at the age of
eighteen but the parents of some encourage their children to pursue a career first. Some of the
married female classmates continue to study from home. The girls are open towards co-ed
schools but feel more comfortable in an all-girl school. Cat calling is quite common, and it
makes them feel uncomfortable but some of them don’t let it slide and often get into fights in
the train. The Brahmin girl was a little more hesitant and belonged to a conservative family
and thus had a stricter timeline and schedule as compared to the other two.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. CASTE
 
GROUP 1
Caste/ Class, Reservation, Sense of upward mobility and untouchability/purity
Most people belonged to the General caste while 7-8 people belonged to OBCs. When the
subject of reservation was introduced into the class, the people belonging to general were in
robust opposition to it while the minority that agreed with it was overpowered in the
classroom dynamic. It was interesting to observe how most people would change their
answers to “fit in” and be socially acceptable. Every other person wanted to add their two
cents on why it was wrong but by this time the minority could feel overpowered and refused
to reply further on the same. The argument for why it should not exist was more or less the
same and had reoccurring themes of merit, need base scholarships, and how such castes and
classes were now at par. It is no lie that untouchability is still practiced in our households and
it was shocking to see, how most people denied the mere existence of it. All their responses
were about equality and how they have never seen caste/class-based discrimination. They
were so confident about how no one in their house discriminated on the basis of caste, class,
religion, and gender that it made us want to go and live in their homes instead. So, it only
made sense to follow up with a question that would their parents let them marry someone
from a different class and then a big no was heard in unison and it all made sense again
 
 
GROUP 2
Caste/ Class, Reservation, Sense of upward mobility and untouchability/ purity
All the girls in this group were from the Jat community, and answered quite confidently when
asked if they would be comfortable talking about this topic. The shared notion they expressed
was that before, there was a concept of ‘purity’ with other castes etc. but they believe it no
longer exists. It only used to happen in “previous times”. Nowadays, their house helps, or
other workers were from mixed castes. They seemed to be completely unaware of any kind of
caste violence in the community. They re-iterated the idea that these differences only exist in
villages, in ‘Sonipat City’ these things don’t happen. When asked whether the house helps
eat/ drink with separate utensils, they denied any such differentiation.
Something to take into consideration is that they are socially aware of the policies, the history
of inequality that led to reservations and the reasons reservations were brought into place.
They do feel that because they are from the general category, they miss out by 1/2 marks and
the other castes get an advantage and get ahead. They have to work harder for admission, and
they don’t get scholarships for college
 
 
GROUP 3
Caste/ Class, Reservation, Sense of upward mobility and untouchability/purity
The girls believed that reservations for the lower classes are considered unfair by them since
they believe that admissions should be based on merit. They also share the opinion that
reservations give the lower caste an undeserving advantage over the general category since
the cut offs are higher for the latter. There is equality in some families towards the lower
caste and the girls are tolerant towards other religions. Once again, the Brahmin girl said that
in her family, she can only marry a brahmin boy through arranged marriage.