Q.1: Write in your own words two or more sentences of what you understand by the word ‘marginalisation’.
Ans: The word ‘marginalisation’ simply means exclusion from the mainstream. Marginalisation of any community or a person can be because of many reasons like -
(a) Speaking a different language,
(b) Following different customs,
(c) Belonging to different religious group from the majority community etc.
Marginalisation is linked to experiencing disadvantage, prejudice, poverty and powerlessness. It is a complex phenomenon which results into a low social status, not having equal access to education and other resources.
Q.2: List two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised.
Ans: The two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised are:
(i) The people often wrongly believe that Adivasis are exotic, primitive and backward.
(ii) That often Adivasis are blamed for their lack of advancement as they are believed to be resistant to change or new ideas.
Q.3: Write one reason why you think the Constitution’s safeguards to protect minority communities are very important ?
Ans: Constitutional safeguards for minority communities are very important since these protect them against the possibility of being culturally dominated by the majority as well as to guard them against any discrimination and disadvantage that they may face. The Constitution provides these safeguards because it is committed to protecting India’s cultural diversity and promoting equality and justice for all.
Q.4: Re-read the section on Minorities and Marginalisation. What do you understand by the term minority ?
Ans: Minority is the term which means the communities which are small in number in comparison to the communities which are more in number. For example, Muslims are in minority in comparison to Hindus.
Q.6: Imagine that you are watching the Republic Day Parade on TV with a friend and she remarks, “Look at these tribals. They look so exotic. And they seem to be to be dancing all the time.” List three things that you would tell her about the lives of Adivasis in India.
Ans: The concepts about Adivasis which people have, is far from reality. The concepts and the reasons behind this can be best described as follows:
(a) Lives of Adivasis are actually very rich but people seem to know very little about the realties of their lives.
(b) They are usually shown in sympathetically in colourful costumes, headgear and dancing.
(c) Often people wrongly believe that Adivasis are exotic, primitive, backward and immune to development.
Q.8: Would you agree with the statement that economic and social marginalisation are interlinked ? Why ?
Ans: Yes, economic and social marginalisations are interlinked. This can be described by the following points:
=> The minorities are rendered marginalised economically because they are not allowed access to the benefits of economic development.
=> When there is no economic development the minorities do not develop socially. Their society does no experience the fruits of social development. They remain backward.
Confronting Marginalisation
Q 1. List two Fundamental Rights in the Constitution that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals. Re-read the Fundamental Rights listed on page 14 to help you answer this question.
Answer
Two Fundamental Rights that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals are: Right to Equality and the Right to Freedom.
Q2. Re-read the story on Rathnam as well as the provisions of the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Now list one reason why you think he used this law to file a complaint.
Answer
The 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was formed in response to the demands made by Dalits and others that the Government take seriously to protect them against the ill-treatment and humiliation faced by Dalits and tribal groups in their everyday life. Rathnam’s hut was burnt and he was forced to leave the village along with his mother and other members of his family as they continued to be ostracized by the powerful castes in the village. So Rathnam used the above law to file a complaint to protest against the domination and violence of the powerful castes in his village.
Q3. Why do Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossession? Is there anything specific in the provisions of the Act that allows her to believe this?
Answer
The Adivasi activists including C.K. Janu believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossession because this Act guarantees the tribals not to be dispossessed from the land resources forcibly. They pointed specifically that this Act merely confirms what has already been promised to the tribal people in the Constitution - that their land can not be sold to or bought by non-tribal people. In cases where this has happened, the constitution also guarantees that the right of the tribal people to repossess their land.
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