TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“A political hue”
“Hindu organisations’ response to an international mobilisation of Dalits rights activism has brought the Indian Hindu nationalist agenda into U.K. politics including the frankly eccentric imagination of U.K. anti-caste discrimination as being all about driving Indian reservation policy and Christian religious conversion,” noted David Mosse, a professor of social anthropology, in a lecture last year. Indeed the message that protecting against caste discrimination could somehow do more harm than good and could be disrespectful of South Asian communities has impacted the tone of the government’s approach. The consultation document insists it wants to ensure measures do not “create or entrench any notion of caste consciousness or caste-based practices into British society, which may prove counterproductive or divisive”. The issue has perhaps unsurprisingly played out in the political arena: in the build-up to the 2015 general election, one Hindu organisation sought to urge traditionally Labour voters to switch their allegiances to the Conservatives, arguing voting for Labour by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains was akin to “turkeys voting for Christmas”. While the charitable organisation was forced to withdraw its statements, the fear that a party’s stance on the issue could alienate it from certain sections of the influential South Asian community has persisted. It is notable that the issue of caste was entirely absent from the Labour party’s election manifesto in June, with only the Liberal Democrats committing to supporting the introduction of legislation outright. Where things will go remains to be seen. With the government focussed on Brexit-related legislation, both sides are eager for change. While those against the legislation want reference to obligations relating to it removed, those who believe such practices are endemic within South Asian society in Britain are equally determined to ensure the long-standing legislative mandate is finally acted upon, even if it could require legal action to ensure it.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Substantial
Meaning: concerning the essentials of something.
Example: There was substantial agreement on changing policies.
Synonyms: Fundamental, Essential
2) Raging
Meaning: Continuing with great force or intensity.
Example: The stream could become a raging torrent in wet weather.
Synonyms: Stormy, Violent
Antonyms: Calm
3) Prevalent
Meaning: Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
Example: The social ills prevalent in society today.
Synonyms: Widespread, Prevailing
Antonyms: Uncommon, Rare
4) Pernicious
Meaning: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Example: The pernicious influences of the mass media.
Synonyms: Harmful, Damaging
Antonyms: Beneficial, Benign
5) Crossbench peer
Meaning: A crossbencher is an independent or minor party member of some legislatures, such as the British House of Lords and in the Parliament of Australia.
6) Divisive
Meaning: Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
Example: The highly divisive issue of abortion.
Synonyms: Isolating, Schismatic
Antonyms: Unifying
7) Quell
Meaning: Put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.
Example: Extra police were called to quell the disturbance.
Synonyms: End, Finish
Antonyms: Prompt
8) Ploy
Meaning: A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one’s own advantage.
Example: The president has dismissed the referendum as a ploy to buy time.
9) Amid
Meaning: Surrounded by; in the middle of.
Example: Our dream home, set amid magnificent rolling countryside.
Synonyms: Among, Between
10) Lobbying
Meaning: Seek to influence (a legislator) on an issue.
Example: They insist on their right to lobby Congress.
Synonyms: Importune, Persuade
11) Opaque
Meaning: (especially of language) hard or impossible to understand.
Example: Technical jargon that was opaque to her.
Synonyms: Obscure, Unclear
Antonyms: Limpid, clear
12) Entrenched
Meaning: Establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
Example: Ageism is entrenched in our society.
Synonyms: Establish, settle
Antonyms: Dislodge, Superficial
13) Hue
Meaning: Character or aspect.
Example: Men of all political hues submerged their feuds.
Synonyms: Kind, sort
14) Mobilisation
Meaning: The action of organizing and encouraging a group of people to take collective action in pursuit of a particular objective.
Example: Mobilization of the working class against big business.
15) Eccentric
Meaning: (of a person or their behaviour) unconventional and slightly strange.
Example: He noted her eccentric appearance.
Synonyms: Unconventional, Uncommon
Antonyms: Ordinary, Conventional
