What is meant by discrimination?

(a) Treating everyone equally

(b) Disliking a language

(c) Treating someone less favorably

(d) Celebrating festivals

The correct Answer: (c) Treating someone less favorably

Detailed explanation:
Discrimination means unfair treatment of a person or group because of who they are or what they are believed to be—such as their caste, religion, gender, language, disability, region, wealth, or appearance. It turns a prejudice or stereotype (a biased belief) into action that harms someone—for example, excluding them from a team, denying them a seat, paying them less for the same work, or mocking their accent.

Common forms (with simple examples):

• Direct discrimination: A school club refuses a student because she’s a girl.
• Indirect discrimination: A rule says “only students who speak X language can participate,” which unfairly excludes others.
• Harassment: Jokes or comments that insult someone’s identity.
• Exclusion/segregation: Not allowing some children to sit, eat, or play with others.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• (a) Treating everyone equally: That is the opposite of discrimination; it’s equality.
• (b) Disliking a language: It’s a bias/prejudice; discrimination happens when that dislike leads to unfair actions against speakers of that language.
• (d) Celebrating festivals: A cultural activity, not discrimination.

Civics connection (India):
The Constitution protects equality—Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 15 (no discrimination by the State on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth). Schools also promote inclusive practices so every child can learn with dignity.