UNDERSTANDING MARGINALISATION
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’scultural 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 socialmarginalisation 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.
