ISSUE NO: 24 A SOCIOLOGY BULLETIN JULY 2024

SPECIAL EDITION - MAINS 2024

THE
SOCIAL FACT

ISSUE 24 : SPECIAL EDITION

Sivarajavel IAS Academy ‘s

THE SOCIAL FACT
THE SOCIAL FACT
is a monthly bulletin for sociology current
affairs which tries to give aspirants a new
dimensions in their sociology preparations. INSIDE THIS SOCIOLOCIAL BULLETIN
The Magazine has been designed in Connecting the dots :
such away that the reading experience is Sociology is a process in making. Everyday newspapers and
enriching and insightful for the readers. weekly have many important news, which have sociological
angle in subtle form. This chapter helps you to connect those
dots and give a clear picture of the reality.

Dear Readers,
Visit us at
Website : www.sivarajavelias.com
As UPSC CSE Mains 2024 is round the corner, we from
Telegram : https://t.me/dailycatalyst “The Social Fact team”, like to send good wishes for all the
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/c/ aspirants.
SivarajavelIASAcademy To make your preparation simpler, in this special edition we
compiled all previous editions of the ‘Connecting the dots’.
We hope, this will save your precious time and bring much
needed dynamic for the sociology mains paper.
HEAD OFFICE
No.97, AF Block, Shanthi Colony, 12th Main Road, All The Best!!!
Anna nagar West, Chennai – 600 040
Ph: 9626364444

TIRUNELVELI
No.106B, 3rd floor, Gilgal Complex, VOC ground opposite,
Palayamkottai - 627 002.
Ph: 9626252500

TRICHY
No.143, 4th Floor,Lakshmi Complex, Salai Road,
Thillai Nagar, Trichy - 620 018.
Ph: 9751500300 / 9786500300

Information contained in this work has been obtained by sources believed to be reliable. We do not guarantee the
accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither Sivarajavel IAS Academy nor its authors
shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of use of this
information
THE
SOCIAL FACT 2
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

CONNECTING THE DOTS

SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
• A 37-year-old man from the Dhangar community in the Sangli district
of Maharashtra committed suicide while demanding reservation for the
community. The police said that the man allegedly hanged himself from
a tree: Durkheim’s work on suicide provides a sociological framework
to understand different types of suicides, including altruistic, egoistic,
anomic, and fatalistic. In this case, the suicide might be viewed as a
form of altruistic suicide, where an individual sacrifices themselves for
the perceived greater good of their community. The act could reflect a
deep sense of commitment to the cause of securing reservation for the
Dhangar community.

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Ahmednagar

city would be renamed ‘Ahilya Nagar’ after the 18th century Maratha queen
Ahilyabai Holkar. His decision, “respecting the public demand”, came on
the 298th birth anniversary of the ruler who established Maheshwar (in
Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar dynasty: Though symbolic
interactionism focusses on the micro level, this example shows the
relevance of the significant symbols in the larger socio-political
infrastructure as well.

• The younger lot is seeing its idols dragged through the mud, says Ajay
Malik, who has trained top grapplers, including Sakshi Malik; another
coach says fewer female wrestlers are joining his camp. While women
wrestlers continue to train here without missing a day, they look visibly
demotivated : Merton talks about the reference group theory and
anticipatory socialisation, here how the person is received or retreated
in the reference group influence the desirability of the person to enter
the non-participant reference group or not.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 3
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• South Korean company Hyodol has come up with a way to use Artificial
Intelligence (AI) to beat loneliness among elders with dementia — it has
invented a ‘social robot’ priced at $1,800 (about Rs 1.5 lakh) : Critical
gerontology, influenced by feminist and critical theory perspectives,
examines the social construction of aging and old age, as well as the
structural inequalities and power dynamics that shape older adults’
experiences. This perspectives has a critical view on this ‘social robot’.
While the robot may offer benefits in terms of addressing loneliness
among elders with dementia, it also reflects deeper issues related to the
devaluation of older adults’ contributions, the commodification of care,
and the reliance on technology to address complex social needs.

• China showered the Tesla CEO with admiration during his whistlestop tour
of the country. Chinese social media was abuzz with news of Mr. Musk’s
sojourn, with related hashtags on the Twitter-like Weibo platform racking
up billions of views. Many has expressed that they “worship” Mr. Musk for
his “great personal charm and constant excellence in his field”: This 21st
century “can-do” generation look up to the people in the technology over
politics and the successful people becomes a charismatic authority, the
rise of Elon Musk’s popularity is a testimonial.

• An MP was recently alleged to accept bribes to target the Prime Minister

with questions. The first hour of parliamentary sittings is the “Question
Hour”, where MPs question ministers to hold the government accountable.
Questions are governed by specific rules and need advance notice: Rational
choice theory emphasizes decision-making based on self-interest. In this
case, the MP’s alleged acceptance of bribes to target the Prime Minister
with questions could be seen as a calculated decision driven by personal
gain, weighing the benefits against the potential risks or consequences
(undermining of democratic processes meant for government
accountability.)

THE
SOCIAL FACT 4
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• NFHS-5 data highlighted that there is a discernible disparity in the rates of

C-section deliveries and hysterectomies across Indian states. More than half
of the states show high C-section deliveries. The highest C-section deliveries
was found in Telangana (60.7%): Foucault’s work on the medicalization
of society and the power dynamics within healthcare systems is relevant.
He discussed how medical institutions exert control over individuals
and how societal norms influence medical practices, which could apply
to the rising rates of C-sections and hysterectomies as a reflection of
medical control over childbirth.

• Ban on ‘improper clothes’ of devotees at Jagannath Temple in Puri comes

into force. A dress code meant to discourage devotees from wearing
“improper” clothes came into force at the famous Shree Jagannath Temple
in Puri district of Odisha : From a structural functionalist perspective,
sociologists like Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons would analyze the
dress code as a mechanism for maintaining social order and cohesion
within the religious community. The imposition of a dress code serves
to reinforce shared values and norms, ensuring that devotees adhere
to established rituals and traditions. Durkheim’s concept of “collective
conscience” and Parsons’ theory of social integration can provide
insights into the role of religious institutions in regulating individual
behavior and promoting solidarity

• A new mobilisation law came into force in Ukraine, which lowered the
military conscription age from 27 to 25 in an effort to replenish its depleted
ranks after more than two years of war following Russia’s fullscale invasion.
: The implementation of Ukraine’s new mobilization law, reducing the
conscription age, reflects the interconnectedness of state action, family
structure, and individual social roles. This decision underscores societal
expectations for individuals, especially younger adults, to fulfill their
duty to the nation in times of conflict. It also highlights the impact on
family dynamics as younger members may be called upon for military
service, emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens in national
defense efforts. As Durkheim said, sum (Society) is greater than the
parts (Individuals)

THE
SOCIAL FACT 5
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• The Tamil Nadu government has introduced the Tamil Nadu Marriage
Assistance Scheme to provide financial support to various groups in need
of assistance, including daughters of low-income parents, orphaned girls,
remarrying widows, widowed daughters, and inter-caste couples : Symbolic
interactionist, like George Herbert Mead, explore how individuals
construct meanings through social interactions and symbols. The Tamil
Nadu Marriage Assistance Scheme can be viewed as a symbol of social
recognition and support for marginalized groups in society. By offering
financial assistance to remarrying widows and inter-caste couples, the
scheme challenges social norms and stereotypes surrounding marriage
and widowed women, while also promoting inclusivity and diversity in
marital relationships.

• According to the Bahai International Community (BIC), Bahai minority

faces persecution even after death in Iran. Unlike other minorities,
Bahais do not have their faith recognised by Iran’s constitution and have
no reserved seats in Parliament. They are unable to access the country’s
higher education and they suffer harassment ranging from raids against
their businesses to confiscation of assets and arrest: The discrimination
against Bahá’í people in Iran may seem to serve the latent function of
reinforcing social cohesion and stability within the dominant religious
and political framework. By marginalizing a minority group, the
majority population may feel a sense of unity and shared identity. At
the same time, it may strengthen their (Bahai) own group solidarity
and identity, which can lead to collective action.

• In Australia, Six persons were killed and several others injured — including a
nine-month-old baby — when a knife-wielding attacker rampaged through
a busy Sydney shopping centre. The reason for this incident is unknown.
The Australian police said multiple people were stabbed by the unidentified
assailant, who was tracked down and shot dead by a policewoman who is
being hailed as a national hero : This incident explains how societal labels
and stereotypes influence behavior. The incident may raise questions
about how individuals are labelled as criminals or heroes based on
their actions, as well as the broader social responses to violence and law
enforcement interventions. Here the attacker disrupted the social order
and labelled as criminal (deviant) and the policewoman who restored
the order was hailed as Hero (Conformity) as a reward.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 6
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Difference of opinions have surfaced over the film – “ The Kerala Story”.
Some argues that it is marketed as a true story, the film is premised on
the Hindutva conspiracy theory of “love jihad”, and falsely claims that
thousands of Hindu women from Kerala have been converted to Islam
and recruited in ISIS, while others claims this film as a true reality. Similar
arguments were made around “The Kashmir Files” film : The sociology
won’t give the judgement of right and wrong but the above incidents
show the increasing importance of ideological state apparatus ( a term
coined by Louis Althusser ) in the modern society.

• The police in Iran announced a new crackdown on women who ignore

the country’s strict Islamic dress code that makes it compulsory for them
to wear headscarves in public. “From today the police in Tehran will
implement their measures against this sort of violation of the law regarding
hijab,” the capital’s police chief said : The dress code serves as a tool for
social control, shaping public behavior and conformity to religious and
cultural norms. Ideological state apparatuses like religious institutions
and educational systems play a crucial role in disseminating these
norms and ensuring compliance through socialization and persuasion.
The new crackdown by the police signifies the role of the repressive state
apparatus in maintaining social order through coercion and punitive
measures.

GENDER - STRATIFICATION
• The Delhi High Court sought the Central government’s response on a
plea challenging a notification stating that a married woman who wants
to revert to her maiden name after divorce must either furnish divorce
papers or a no objection certificate (NOC) from her husband: Feminist
theorists, such as Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler, emphasize the
importance of challenging traditional gender norms and advocating for
gender equality. Here the requirement for a woman to obtain divorce
papers or a no objection certificate (NOC) from her husband to revert
to her maiden name perpetuates patriarchal power dynamics within
marriage and divorce proceedings. It reflects the societal expectation
that a woman’s identity is contingent upon her marital status and her
relationship with her husband. Feminist theorists would argue that this
requirement undermines women’s autonomy and reinforces unequal
power relations between men and women in legal and social contexts.
THE
SOCIAL FACT 7
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Report by SC’s Centre for Research and Planning says 19.7 percent of the
district courts in India do not have separate toilets for females. 19.7 percent
of the district courts in India do not have separate toilets for females. Only
6.7 percent of toilets in district courts are women-friendly: The absence of
separate and women-friendly toilets in a significant portion of district
courts in India is not merely a logistical issue but a reflection of deeper
social inequalities and biases. Feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir
and bell hooks would argue that the absence of adequate facilities for
women reflects the marginalization and invisibility of women’s needs
within institutional structures. It reinforces the notion that the legal
domain is primarily designed by and for men, neglecting the realities
and requirements of women.

• Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani said in

the parliament “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the
menstruation cycle are not a handicap; so there is no need for paid leave
policy, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey, creating a paid leave policy
specifically for menstruation could potentially deny equal opportunities to
women” : Feminist argues that dismissing the need for specific policies
or accommodations for menstrual health issues overlooks the potential
impact on gender equity in the workplace. It’s not about considering
menstruation a handicap but acknowledging that some women may
experience health challenges requiring support during that time.

• Observing that the attendants appointed to guard the bodies in mortuaries

of many government and private hospitals indulge in “sexual intercourse”
on the bodies, the High Court of Karnataka has recommended that the
government amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to bring necrophilia under
the definition of offence of unnatural sex or introduce new provision in IPC
to make necrophilia an offence : Sylvia Walby has given the six structures
of patriarchy where violence is one of them and ‘’necrophilia” shows the
emerging forms of violence against women.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 8
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Lancet study shows that the Suicide deaths in Indian men increased 2 times
more than women in 2021. Unemployment, family problems, and health
issues cause a 33.5 percentage point change in SDR among men : The Silent
Male Suicide Epidemic” by Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas. This work delves
into the societal expectations of masculinity and the resulting pressure
that men face, which can contribute to higher suicide rates. She explores
how traditional gender norms discourage men from seeking help or
expressing vulnerability, leading to increased isolation and mental
health struggles, ultimately culminating in higher suicide rates among
men.

CASTE – STRATIFICATION
• From March 22 to April 26, 2023, as many as eight people have died while
cleaning sewers in various parts of Gujarat, raising concerns about the
continuing deaths of manual scavengers despite the fact that the practice
has been declared illegal across the country : Manual scavenging is not a
career chosen voluntarily by workers, but is instead a deeply unhealthy,
unsavoury and undignified job forced upon these people because of
the stigma attached to their caste. The nature of the work itself then
reinforces that stigma.

• In Gorakhpur, a primary school teacher has been booked here for allegedly
thrashing a Class 6 student and passing casteist remarks after he refused
to touch his feet, police said. The boy’s father alleged that his son suffered
serious injury in his eyes and back and based on the complaint, a case has
been registered against the teacher under the SC/ST Act : The deschooling
concept, introduced by Ivan Illich, challenges the traditional role and
structure of formal education institutions. He argue that traditional
schools often perpetuate authoritarianism, coercion, and violence, as
seen in cases where teachers abuse their authority and discriminate
against students based on caste or other factors. This incident highlights
the need to rethink the role of schools in society and to promote alternative
forms of education that prioritize equity, respect, and nonviolence.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 9
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Three staff members, including the principal of a Morarji Desai School in

Yaluvalli in Kolar district, were suspended by the Karnataka Residential
Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) for making students manually
clean the sanitary chambers as well as the school premises: Manual
scavenging, a practice historically associated with lower caste groups,
reflects the entrenched inequalities and social hierarchies perpetuated
by caste-based discrimination. This incident underscores the structural
violence embedded within the caste system, where individuals from
marginalized communities, often Dalits, are disproportionately
burdened with degrading and hazardous tasks due to their social status.
The incident highlights the failure of educational institutions to provide
a safe and inclusive learning environment, thereby perpetuating social
inequalities and reinforcing caste-based hierarchies

• The deep penetration of caste discrimination in Christianity is a point of

concern. Despite constituting a majority in the Catholic order, Dalits are
rarely appointed as Bishops. The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication
Front had contended that the practice of caste can be found in the formation
of parishes, the denial to Dalit Christians to participate in the administration
of the parish, and the construction of separate chapels in the same village
for Dalits and other caste Christians : M.N. Srinivas have emphasized the
pervasive nature of the caste system in India, arguing that it transcends
religious boundaries and influences social interactions and institutions.
The deep penetration of caste discrimination within Christianity reflects
how caste operates as a social structure, shaping patterns of social
exclusion and privilege even within non hindu religious communities.

• In a shocking case of suspected honour killing, a 26-year-old man was

hacked to death for marrying a girl from a different caste, allegedly by his
own brother-in-law, in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai: Louis Dumont’s purity vs.
pollution is the core of this honour killing case. But it can be analyzed
as a form of gender-based violence rooted in patriarchal control over
women’s bodies and choices. The victim’s decision to marry outside
his caste challenges traditional notions of honour and caste purity,
threatening the patriarchal power structures that uphold these norms.
The act of violence not only punishes the individual for transgressing
gender and caste boundaries but also serves as a warning to other
women and men who may seek to defy these norms in the future.
THE
SOCIAL FACT 10
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• They OBC groups are threatening to protest against the government’s

decision to grant Kunbi certificates to Marathas. They are not against
increasing the EWS quota and giving reservations to Marathas under it
but they are opposed to giving Kunbi certificates to all Marathas: This
issue underscores the intricacies of caste identities and the competition
for limited reservation quotas and the presence of vote bank politics
(M.N.Srinivas)

• From March 22 to April 26, 2023, as many as eight people have died while
cleaning sewers in various parts of Gujarat, raising concerns about the
continuing deaths of manual scavengers despite the fact that the practice
has been declared illegal across the country: BR Ambedkar reiterates that
the Manual scavenging is not a career chosen voluntarily by workers,
but instead a deeply unhealthy, unsavoury and undignified job forced
upon these people because of the stigma attached to their caste. The
nature of the work itself then reinforces that stigma.

• SC refuses to vacate order on temple priests in Tamil Nadu. Court had

passed interim order on September 25 on the basis of a series of petitions;
it was alleged that the State was attempting to appoint ‘non-believers’ as
Archakas in Agamic temple: This issue touches upon the sociological
aspect of religious hierarchy and traditions within the Indian caste
system. The appointment of temple priests is historically linked to
specific castes or communities, and any attempt to alter these norms can
challenge established social structures in the form of counter hegemony.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 11
THE
SOCIAL FACT

AN IDEAL INSTITUTE FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

SOCIOLOGY
EVENING BATCH

05 07 24
19+ 480 +
IAS, IPS....
YEARS
OFFICERS

19+ 480 +
IAS, IPS....
YEARS
OFFICERS

gy FOR SCHEDULE
THE
SOCIAL FACT SCAN HERE
12
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

AN IDEAL INSTITUTE FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

Sivarajavel's

Sociology
CRASH COURSE & TEST SERIES.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

STARTS ON
16 th JULY 2024

19+ 48 0 +
YEARS IAS, IPS....
OFFICERS

S. SIVARAJAVEL
19+ Years of Experience in Teaching Sociology

THE
SOCIAL FACT 13
THE
SOCIAL FACT

TRIBAL STRATIFICATION
• Over 6,000 villagers who lived devoid of essential government welfare
schemes and developmental benefits for decades deep inside forests in
Odisha’s Ganjam district are set to embrace a new life with the recognition
of their villages as revenue villages under the Forest Right Act : Earlier,
Ghurye formulated the tribal question. There are three views on the
tribal situation: no change and revivalism; isolation and preservation;
and finally assimilation. Later the government has adopted a policy
of tribal integration into the mainstream, with the goal of developing
a creative adjustment between tribes and non-tribes that leads to a
responsible partnership.

• Sexual abuse in Odisha’s boarding schools for tribals demotivate first

generation learners. The State Minister for ST and SC Development said
that over the past five years, there were 22 cases of girls who faced sexual
assaults in the 188 residential high schools exclusively for tribal girls, with 34
people being named as accused. Twelve girl students had delivered babies:
The sexual abuse of tribal girls underscores how intersecting forms
of oppression, including caste, class, and gender, contribute to their
heightened susceptibility to exploitation and abuse within institutional
settings. Feminist sociologists like Vandana Shiva and Leela Dube have
examined the intersections of gender, caste, and class, highlighting how
patriarchal structures perpetuate violence and discrimination against
women and girls.

• Four infants between birth and four months died across a month in Madhya
Pradesh’s eastern districts of Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur after they were
branded with hot bangles and iron sickles when they fell sick. This belief
system is considered a remedy, to everything from breast-feeding difficulties
to pneumonia. People believed the ‘shock treatment’ helps boost the baby’s
immunity when they are sick. : GS Ghurye vs V. Elwin debate need to
be revisited here, while it’s essential to respect cultural practices and
beliefs, there comes a point where harmful practices must be critically
examined through a human rights lens. In this case, the traditional
remedy of branding infants with hot objects resulted in tragic deaths,
raising questions about the balance between cultural relativism and the
protection of human rights, particularly those of vulnerable populations
such as infants.
THE
SOCIAL FACT 14
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

STRATIFICATION – OTHER TOPICS

• Puducherry transport Minister S. Chandira Priyanga from the All
India N.R Congress (AINRC)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition
government citing caste and gender discrimination against her. The only
woman legislator in the 30-member assembly, Priyanga hails from the
Dalit community: This is an example of Intersectonality, where the
interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and
gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of
discrimination or disadvantage

• A footballer from Ivory Coast has alleged that he was subjected to a mob
attack and racial slurs at a football ground in Kerala’s Malappuram district.
Ivory Coast footballer Dairrassouba Hassane Junior alleged that the fans
threw stones at him and called him a monkey, black cat during a game in
Kerala’s Malappuram : The fans’ use of racial slurs and violence against
the player may stem from a sense of in-group solidarity and the desire
to assert dominance over perceived out-group members, the incident
also highlights the persistence of racial discrimination and inequality in
Indian society, particularly towards individuals of African descent. The
fans’ use of derogatory language and physical violence reflects deeply
entrenched racial stereotypes and prejudices that perpetuate systemic
racism and marginalization.

WORK AND ECONOMICS

• More than 730 employees of OpenAI have signed a letter saying they may
quit and join Sam Altman at Microsoft unless the startup’s board resigns
and reappoints the ousted CEO.: Marx discussed how workers might
feel disconnected or alienated from the product of their labor and
the decision-making processes within their workplace. The employees
at OpenAI might feel alienated from the board’s decisions, especially
regarding the ousting of the CEO, leading to a collective response seeking
change.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 15
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• The UK government announced a five-year pilot program to send

some asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing. The program’s goal is to
discourage illegal immigration. However the UK Supreme Court ruled the
scheme unlawful, stating that Rwanda is not a safe third country for the
government to send asylum seekers: World systems theory looks at global
inequalities and the interconnectedness of nations. In the context of
migration, it could examine how economic disparities and geopolitical
power dynamics influence migration patterns and policies. The UK’s
attempt to outsource asylum processing to Rwanda might reflect a
global economic and political hierarchy.

• In a recent LinkedIn study, almost 70% of Gen Z and millennial Americans

stated they planned to leave their jobs in 2023. And with unemployment at
a low 3.4% with many jobs left over, all signs seem to point to the fact that
American workers are fed up: Simmel’s concept of the “blase attitude” or
the indifference that can arise in modern urban life could be applied to
harsh working conditions. He highlighted how repetitive or unfavorable
work environments might lead to a sense of detachment and emotional
distance among workers, which leads to “mass resignation

• Worried over the increase in train accidents across the rail network, the
Railway Board has called for urgent steps to fill vacancies and reduce the
long working hours of locomotive pilots. The prolonged working hours of
loco pilots due to an acute shortage of manpower was suspected to be the
main reason for the increasing number of accidents, particularly SPAD
cases : Neo Marxists anticipated that a democratic state would never
take a stand against capitalism as they themselves perpetuate the cheap
labour.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 16
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Yet another minor working as a domestic help has been brutalised in

Gurugram. The family of three allegedly held her captive, threatened to
push her into prostitution, sexually abused her, hit her with hammers,
and instigated their dog to bite her: It shows the broader societal issues
where women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence and
exploitation within familial settings. Also, the victim’s situation raises
questions about social support systems and the marginalization of
vulnerable individuals and it points to the need for stronger support
networks and interventions to protect those who might be isolated
and unable to seek help. (Vina Mazumdar and Veena Das has written
extensively about gender violence in India)

• Instagram has in recent years increasingly shifted toward video. It has

introduced Reels, short videos meant to compete with the video-sharing app
TikTok, and it has launched features to encourage people to make videos
together. Many artists cite that this change has been nothing short of harmful
to artists, especially those who make still images: Shorter attention spans
align with the attention economy, where attention becomes a scarce
resource. In an era of information overload, individuals are bombarded
with content, leading to a preference for concise and easily consumable
information.

STATE - NATION - POLITY

• An ethnic clash erupted in India’s north-eastern state of Manipur between
the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal
community from the surrounding hills, including the Kuki and Zo peoples.
The underlying anger, simmering for a long time, has other reasons.
These are linked not just to the government’s clampdown on reserved and
protected forests in the State’s hill areas but also to the Kukis’ feeling of being
persecuted : Countries in which people of various ethnic background
share no nationalist spirit experience efforts by separate factions to
impose their own views of nationhood on the land; the resulting clash
is often violent.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 17
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• The allocation of tickets by the three principal parties in Odisha — BJD,

BJP, and Congress — demonstrates the influence of dynastic ties across
the political spectrum. Father-son and father-daughter duos feature in
the Congress list of candidates for 49 Assembly and eight Lok Sabha seats.
The chairman of the Congress campaign committee, is slated to contest
the upcoming Assembly election from Narla in Kalahandi district while
his son has been fielded from Bhawanipatna in the same district : This
explains the connection between dynastic parties and elite rule. Elite
rule refers to the concentration of political power and influence within
a small, often privileged group of individuals or families. As family
members of established political figures are given preferential treatment
in candidate selection and leadership roles, there is a perpetuation of
political elitism.

• Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will kick-start celebrations

of the State’s 10th year of formation at the State Secretariat. Over 21 days,
the government will celebrate the State’s achievements in different sectors
since its formation. Mr. Rao ordered the release of ₹105 crore to District
Collectors for organising the celebrations. A series of programmes dedicated
to one department a day will be organised across the State: Rudolf and
Rudolf has emphasised that the federalism and regionalism has helped
the country as a whole to develop as a strong democratic country.

• Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said her party would
take concrete steps to make western Uttar Pradesh a separate State if
voted to power at the Centre. “You want western Uttar Pradesh to become
a separate State. For this, visible and concrete steps will be taken if our
government comes to power at the Centre,” she said. :The demand for a
separate state reflects the mobilization of identity-based groups for
political representation and recognition of their distinct socio-cultural
identity within the larger national framework, while identity-based
politics can empower marginalized groups and promote representation,
it can also exacerbate identity-based conflicts and polarization. This
demand might intensify inter-group rivalries, ethnic tensions, and
political competition, potentially leading to social unrest.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 18
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• A Pro-Kannada organisation in Bengaluru engaged in vandalism of various

hoardings and billboards in a bid to protest the use of the English language
in advertisements and signboards. The name boards in English, installed
by the shops in Chikkajala, were torn apart by the protesters. Boards of
private hotels and other private establishments were also vandalised:
Urban sociologists like Sujata Patel and Amita Baviskar have studied
urban spaces as sites of contestation and negotiation. The vandalism
of hoardings and billboards in Bengaluru reflects the tensions and
conflicts inherent in urban life, where diverse linguistic and cultural
groups coexist. It highlights the complexities of urban governance and
the challenges of managing cultural diversity in rapidly growing cities
like Bengaluru

• The head of Bhalki Hiremath and president of the 21st Bidar District
Kannada Sahithya Sammelana, called upon the people of Karnataka for an
organised fight against what he called ‘the imposition of Hindi’ on Kannada
: Symbols such as language are powerful tools for mobilizing collective
action and reinforcing group solidarity, as they carry deep meanings,
emotional attachments and also a symbol of cultural heritage and
collective identity for individuals. The opposition to the imposition of
Hindi on Kannada can be seen as an expression of the preservation and
promotion of Kannada language and cultural identity. The resistance to
Hindi imposition reflects the desire of the Kannada-speaking population
to protect their linguistic and cultural distinctiveness against perceived
threats of assimilation or marginalization.

• The water crisis in Bengaluru has triggered a row between Karnataka and
Kerala. Following Kerala Industries Minister’s overtures to Information
Technology (IT) firms in the city to relocate to his State against the backdrop
of the water crisis, Karnataka Commerce and Industries minister, hit out
at the Kerala government saying, “attempts to take undue advantage of
the water scarcity situation is detrimental to the federal structure of the
country.” : The stance taken by Karnataka’s Minister reflects a nationalist
perspective, emphasizing the importance of preserving national unity
and the federal structure of the country. On the other hand, Kerala’s
approach can be seen as a form of supra-nationalism, where states
prioritize their own interests and seek to attract resources or investments
from other regions, even if it creates tensions between states within the
nation.
THE
SOCIAL FACT 19
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Reports says that Non-residents will have a say in voting pattern in Kerala,
despite the hike in airfares, a large expatriate population from West Asian
countries are likely to be in the State for voting. Candidates and their poll
managers too visit these countries to garner Non Residents support. : The
involvement of non-resident Keralites (NRKs) in Kerala’s electoral
process reflects the concept of transnationalism, where individuals
maintain connections, identities, and engagements across national
borders. NRKs contribute to Kerala’s economy through remittances and
also participate in shaping political outcomes, blurring the boundaries
between national and transnational political participation.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would “surely be reunified” with

Taiwan during his televised New Year’s address, renewing Beijing’s threats
to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. Taiwan
split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard
the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory
and has been ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if
necessary: Sociologists like Benedict Anderson and Ernest Gellner have
explored the construction of nationalism and national identity. In the
case of China’s claim to Taiwan, the emphasis on reunification reflects
nationalist sentiments and the idea of a unified Chinese identity.
Anderson’s concept of imagined communities can help understand how
narratives of national unity are constructed and perpetuated, shaping
collective perceptions of belonging and loyalty.

• Farmer leaders from across Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh
gathered for a mahapanchayat and took a decision to meet President
Droupadi Murmu seeking justice for India’s top wrestlers. The wrestlers
have been demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual
exploitation, charges which Mr. Singh has denied: This is a classic example
of the influence of pressure groups in the politics. This also throws light
on the way that these pressure groups are taking up the issues which are
beyond their immediate interest.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 20
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• A 77-year-old differently abled native of Chakkittapara Grama Panchayat

in Kozhikode district, who was reportedly suffering from a financial
crisis after being denied of his social security pension for around five
months, was found dead. : The government’s failure to provide timely
assistance and support reflects a lack of empathy and accountability
towards marginalized populations. This highlights broader issues of
institutional indifference and bureaucratic callousness that perpetuate
social exclusion and inequality. It also reflects a broader pattern of
discrimination and neglect within government institutions. The failure
to recognize and accommodate the unique needs and vulnerabilities of
disabled individuals perpetuates systemic inequalities and denies them
access to essential resources and support services.

RELIGION AND SOCIETY

• Meat shops in the city will have to maintain a distance of 150 metres from
religious places, according to a proposal passed by the Municipal Corporation
of Delhi (MCD): The decision to mandate a distance between meat
shops and religious places reflects the symbolic importance of religious
spaces within the urban landscape. This decision is rooted in the idea of
preserving the sanctity or perceived purity of these spaces and the justify
Louis Dumont’s theory of “purity and pollution” in the city also.

• According to the findings of the Delhi-based Institute of Policy Studies

and Advocacy (IPSA) and the Indian Muslim Intellectuals Forum (IMIF),
Muslims are lagging behind their contemporaries on most socioeconomic
parameters in Delhi. The community suffers from one of the highest
unemployment and maternal mortality rates and limited political
representation: Zoya Hasan believes that educational backwardness can
explain Muslims underrepresentation at the higher levels of employment
and the above finding is the extension of the theory.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 21
THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Ban on ‘improper clothes’ of devotees at Jagannath Temple in Puri comes

into force: Sociologist Ruth Benedict’s concept of cultural relativism
suggests that cultural practices and norms should be understood within
their specific cultural context rather than judged based on external
standards. Applying this perspective to the ban on improper clothes,
sociologists would consider the cultural and religious significance
attributed to clothing within the context of Hindu worship at the
Jagannath Temple. Cultural relativism encourages an understanding
of diverse cultural practices without imposing ethnocentric judgments.

• The Gujarat government will move the High Court to challenge the acquittal
of self-styled godman Asaram’s wife, their daughter and four disciples in a
2013 rape case, an official said. They were accused by the prosecution of
aiding and abetting the crime, but were acquitted for want of evidence: This
can be quoted for the dysfunctional aspect of the sects and cults where
the so called religious leaders exploiting their followers both physically
and emotionally as they are already a vulnerable section (Weber called
as them as theodicy of dispriveleged )

FAMILY AND KINSHIP SYSTEM

• The Supreme Court held that its extraordinary discretion under Article 142
of the Constitution can be used to do “complete justice” for couples trapped
in bitter marriages by granting them divorce by mutual consent, sparing
them the “misery” of waiting for six to 18 months for a local court to declare
the annulment final. : The statement said by the judge (“If a marriage is
wrecked beyond hope of salvage, public interest lies in recognising this
real fact,”) shows the desacralisation of marriages in India.

• Many countries in East and Southeast Asia are in the middle of a population
crisis, with fewer births every year and record-low fertility rates. Hospitals
in China stopped offering newborn delivery services due to declining
demand, Reuters reported. The city of Seongnam, the fourth largest in the
South Korea, resorted to hosting mass blind dates hoping that the falling

THE
SOCIAL FACT 22
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

birth rates would reverse: This crisis arises as couples choosing to not
have children, citizens opting to remain single, and spiralling costs
to raise children may all have contributed to the dip, this population
crisis can challenge cultural norms and values associated with family,
parenthood, and filial piety. Societies will experience shifts in attitudes
towards marriage, childbearing, and the importance of family ties,
ultimately the sustainability of social institutions like family may come
into question.

• A bill to outlaw polygamy will be introduced, Assam Chief Minister Himanta

Biswa Sarma announced: Polygamy is often rooted in cultural, religious,
or traditional practices. This bill challenges such norms, indicating a
shift in societal attitudes toward relationships, marriage, and family
structures. It might empower women by challenging practices, that
can lead to their marginalization within relationships. It can promote
women’s agency in making decisions about their lives and relationships.

• The Supreme Court of India refused to legally recognize same-sex

marriages. The court ruled that it was beyond its scope and should be
decided by parliament. The court’s decision drew criticism from LGBTQ
rights activists, who called the verdict “regressive”: Foucault’s work on
the history of sexuality emphasizes how power shapes societal norms
and controls individuals’ behaviors and identities. In the context of the
refusal to legalize same-sex marriage, Foucault’s perspectives highlight
how power structures, including legal institutions, regulate and control
sexual norms, limiting the recognition of diverse forms of relationships.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 23
THE
SOCIAL FACT

SOCIAL CHANGE
• The Madras High Court orders removal of ‘transphobic’ panchayat president
and directed the TN government to initiate steps to grant reservation for
transgender persons in local body polls with a view to helping them slowly
become part of mainstream society : This decision signifies a societal shift
towards recognizing and including marginalized groups in governance
but as Andre Beteille said, Law only decides the direction which society
should take, the actual direction of the society is decided by its culture.

• Recently, home services provider Urban Company initiated what it calls

“Project Nidar” for the benefit of its service partners affected by domestic
violence (DV) in the past or present. :Traditionally, domestic violence
was often considered a private or personal matter confined within the
family unit. By bringing DV awareness and support programs into the
professional sphere, such as workplaces or service providers like Urban
Company, there is a recognition that DV is not just an individual
problem but also a social issue with systemic roots. This reflects a
broader societal acknowledgment of the need to address DV beyond the
confines of private life and to engage various institutions in combating
it

MISCELLANEOUS
• Economic woes, instead of ‘happiness’, set the stage as Bhutan goes to the
polls. The picturesque Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan holds general elections
with serious economic challenges calling into question its longstanding
policy of prioritising “Gross National Happiness” over growth : Cultural
values and symbols shape societal attitudes towards development
and well-being. Bhutan’s adoption of GNH as a measure of progress
reflects its commitment to prioritizing holistic well-being over narrow
economic indicators. However, the shift towards addressing economic
challenges in the electoral discourse suggests a re-evaluation of societal
priorities and values. This tension between economic growth and well-
being reflects broader debates about the meaning and measurement of
progress in contemporary societies.
THE
SOCIAL FACT 24
 THE
SOCIAL FACT

• Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a national apology

to survivors of the thalidomide drug scandal and their families. The
apology recognizes the government’s role in the tragedy and its enduring
impact. Albanese called the scandal one of the “darkest chapters” in the
country’s medical history : The recognition of the thalidomide scandal
as one of the “darkest chapters” in Australia’s medical history shapes
collective memory and national identity. Sociologically, it influences
how societies remember and acknowledge past events, shaping their
collective narrative and understanding of their history.

THE
SOCIAL FACT 25
THE
SOCIAL FACT

FOR CONTACT

JOIN OUR
TELEGRAM CHANNEL No.97, AF Block, Shanthi Colony,
12th Main Road, Anna Nagar West,
Chennai – 600 040.
Ph: 9626364444, 9626369899

TRICHY NELLAI
No.143, 4th Floor, No.106B, 3rd floor,Gilgal Complex,
Lakshmi Complex, Salai Road, VOC ground opposite,
Thillai Nagar, Trichy -620018. Palayamkottai - 627 002.
Ph : 9751500300 / 9786500300 Ph : 9626252500 / 9626253300
THE
SOCIAL FACT 26