Chapter 6 – Confronting Marginalisation Questions and Answers

Content structure

A. Exercise questions & answers
B. Additional questions & answers
- Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
- Fill in the blanks
- True or False
- Match the following
- Short-type questions and answers
- Long-type questions & answers

A. Exercise questions & answers

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.
Ans: Dalits can use two important rights from the Indian Constitution to ask for fair treatment and respect –
A. Right to Equality (Article 14-18) – This means everyone is equal and should not be treated unfairly because of their caste, religion, or gender.
B. Right to Freedom (Article 19-22) – This gives everyone the freedom to speak, express, and live with respect without fear.

2. 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.
Ans: This law protects Dalits and Adivasis from discrimination and violence. Rathnam used this law to file a complaint because he faced harassment, social isolation, and violence after refusing to perform a caste-based ritual.

3. 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?
Ans: Adivasi C.K. Janu believes the 1989 Act helps protect tribal land rights. The law stops tribal land from being sold or taken by non-tribal people. If this happens, Adivasis can legally reclaim their land. It also punishes those who illegally occupy or encroach on Adivasi lands, making it a strong tool to defend their rights.

4. The poems and the song in this Unit allow you to see the range of ways in which individuals and
communities express their opinions, their anger and their sorrow. In class, do the following two
exercises:
(a) Bring to class a poem that discusses a social issue. Share this with your classmates. Work in
small groups with two or more poems to discuss their meaning as well as what the poet is
trying to communicate.
(b)Identify a marginalised community in your locality. Write a poem, or song, or draw a poster
etc to express your feelings as a member of this community.
Ans:
(a) Classroom activity.
(b) Students are suggested to do this task themselves.

B. Additional questions & answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution says that untouchability is not allowed?
(a) Article 17
(b) Article 18
(c) Article 28
(d) Article 16

Ans: (a) Article 17

2. Marginalisation is faced –
(a) Adivasi
(b) Muslim
(c) Dalits
(d) All of these

Ans: (d) All of these

3. Who wrote the poem Untouchability?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(c) Omprakash Valmiki
(d) Sarojini Naidu

Ans: (c) Omprakash Valmiki

4. What percentage of India’s population consists of Adivasis (tribal people)?
(a) 15%
(b) 8%
(c) 0%
(d) 11%

Ans: (b) 8%

5. What is manual scavenging?
(a) Cleaning roads and parks
(b) Collecting and removing human waste by hand
(c) Removing animal waste
(d) Washing clothes in rivers

Ans: (b) Collecting and removing human waste by hand

6. What percentage of India’s population is Muslim?
(a) 10%
(b) 12.5%
(c) 14.2%
(d) 16%

Ans: (c) 14.2%

7. Which constitutional provision ensures that no one is discriminated against based on religion, caste, gender, or birthplace?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 15
(c) Article 17
(d) Article 19

Ans: (b) Article 15

8. Who is not eligible for reservations?
(a) Brahmans
(b) Dalits
(c) Adivasis
(d) Backward and most backward castes

Ans: (a) Brahmans

9. _________________ means not allowing someone to be part of a group or place?
(a) Ignore
(b) Remove
(c) Exclude
(d) Welcome

Ans: (c) Exclude

10. In which year was the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act enacted?
(a) 1990
(b) 1987
(c) 1989
(d) 1999

Ans: (c) 1989

11. Shakti and Tantric traditions come from _____________ states.
(a) Kerala and Assam
(b) Bengal and Kerala
(c) Bengal and Assam
(d) Kerala and Odisha

Ans: (c) Bengal and Assam

12. What is the meaning of assertive?
(a) Speaking clearly and kindly
(b) Talking in a mean way
(c) Never speaking up
(d) Letting others make all choices for you

Ans: (a) Speaking clearly and kindly

13. C.K. Janu is known for fighting for the rights of which group?
(a) Farmers
(b) Adivasis
(c) Business owners
(d) Teachers

Ans: (b) Adivasis

14. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, was passed in –
(a) 2014
(b) 2013
(c) 2018
(d) 2020

Ans: (b) 2013

15. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act passed by –
(a) 1987
(b) 1986
(c) 1989
(d) 1988

Ans: (c) 1989

Fill in the blanks

1. ______________ means helping people who are treated unfairly.
2. Article 17 of the Constitution says that ____________________.
3. The government provides free or low-cost hostels for ________________.
4. There are specific ………….. and ……….. for the marginalised in our country.
5. The government provides free or ………….. hostels for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.
6. ________ and young girls mainly do the job of manual scavenging.
7. Manual scavengers are exposed to __________ conditions of work and face serious hazards.
8. Article 15 says no one should be _____________ because of their religion, caste, gender, or birthplace.
9. Nobody can force a Dalit to drink or eat any ________ or ________ substance.

Ans:
1. Confronting marginalisation
2. Untouchability is abolished.
3. Tribal people and Dalits
4. Laws, policies
5. Subsidised
6. Dalit women
7. Inhuman working conditions
8. Discriminated against
9. Inedible, obnoxious

True or False

1. Untouchability is a non-punishable crime.
Ans: False.

2. Article 17 says that no person in India can be treated unfairly.
Ans: False.

3. The Indian constitution has provided many safeguards to protect the minorities.
Ans: True.

4. C.K. Janu, an Adivasi activist, says that state governments break these laws and allow timber merchants, paper mills, and others to take over tribal land.
Ans: True.

5. The scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes Act, of 1989 contain a short list of crimes.
Ans: False.

6. Dalits are a group in India who were often treated unfairly because of their caste.
Ans: True.

7. The reservation policy of the government is meant only for the Dalits.
Ans: False.

8. Manual scavenging means cleaning human and animal waste using brooms,
Ans: False.

9. The Supreme Court of India could not do anything to ban the practice of manual scavenging.
Ans: False.

10. Adivasi and Dalits can’t use their Fundamental Rights.
Ans: False.

Match the following

Column A	Column B
1. Article 15	(a) The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act.
2. 2003	(b) The Scheduled tribes and other traditional forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.
3. 1989	(c) The Safai Karamchari Andolan filed a PIL.
4. 2006	(d) The Indian Constitution states that no citizen shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex or place of birth.
5. 1993	(e) The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act.
6. Article 17	(f) The Constitution says that untouchability is abolished.
7. 2013	(g) The scheduled castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act.

Ans:

Column A	Column B
1. Article 15	(d) The Indian Constitution states that no citizen shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, or place of birth.
2. 2003	(c) The Safai Karamchari Andolan filed a PIL.
3. 1989	(g) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act.
4. 2006	(b) The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.
5. 1993	(a) The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act.
6. Article 17	(f) The Constitution says that untouchability is abolished.
7. 2013	(e) The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act.

Short-type questions and answers

1. Name two distinct cultural and religious groups in the country.
Ans: Muslims and Parsis are two distinct cultural and religious groups in the country.

2. What is the meaning of confronting marginalization?
Ans: Confronting marginalisation means helping people who are mistreated or left out.

3. How does our Constitution ensure cultural justice for minority groups?
Ans: Our Constitution ensures cultural justice for minority groups by granting them Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29 and 30).

4. How a Dalit can file a complaint under the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989?
Ans: A Dalit can file a complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 by reporting cases of discrimination, violence, or oppression to the police or court.

5. Define manual scavenging.
Ans: Manual scavenging means cleaning and carrying human waste by hand using simple tools like brooms, tin plates, and baskets.

6. What is the government’s reservation policy?
Ans: The government’s reservation policy keeps some seats in schools, colleges, and government jobs for Dalits, Adivasis, and Other marginalised groups.

7. How does Kabir describe the term untouchability?
Ans: Kabir criticized untouchability and described it as a narrow and unjust way of thinking that divides people.

8. What is the main reason for making an Act 1989?
Ans: The 1989 Act was made to protect Dalits and Adivasis from unfair treatment, violence, and harm caused by powerful castes.

9. Define Article 17.
Ans: Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability and prohibits discrimination against Dalits in education, temples, and public places.

10. Define Article 15.
Ans: Article 15 states that no person in India can be discriminated against based on religion, caste, gender, race, or place of birth.

11. What is Safai Karamchari Andolan?
Ans: Safai Karamchari Andolan is a movement that fights for the rights and rehabilitation of manual scavengers in India.

12. What is the importance of the 1989 Act?
Ans: The 1989 Act is important because it protects Dalits and Adivasis from harm, unfair treatment, and land theft. It also punishes those who commit crimes against them.

13. What does the government do to promote social justice among Dalits and Advasis?
Ans: The government helps Dalits and Adivasis by making laws, giving reservations in schools and jobs, and starting welfare programs to protect their rights, education, and jobs.

14. What is the Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act about?
Ans: The Forest Rights Act gives tribal and forest communities the legal right to live in, use, and take care of forest land and resources. It protects them from being removed from their land.

15. What is the meaning of the words Dalits?
Ans: Dalits are people who were treated unfairly in the past because of their caste. Today, they fight for equal rights and justice.

Long-type questions & answers

1. What is the meaning of the Scourge of Manual Scavenging?
Ans: Manual scavenging means cleaning human and animal waste using brooms, tin plates, and baskets. Workers carry this waste on their heads to throw it away. Their income is very little amount around ₹200 per day. When untouchability is banned, manual scavengers in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are still treated unfairly. They live separately and cannot enter temples or public places.

In 1993, a law was made to ban manual scavenging and dry latrines. But in 2003, the Supreme Court found that the number of workers had increased instead of stopping. It told the government to help them find better jobs.
A new law, The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, was passed in 2013 to end this work and support the workers.

2. How is the government protecting the Rights of Dalits and Adivasis? Give one example.
Ans: The Indian government makes laws to protect marginalized communities from discrimination and unfair treatment.

In the village of Jakmalgur, a big festival happens every five years. As part of an old tradition, a Dalit person must wash the feet of priests and then bathe in the same water. Rathnam’s father and grandfather had done this before, but Dalits were never allowed inside the temple.
Rathnam, a 20-year-old engineering student, refused to follow this practice because he did not believe in it. His refusal made the upper castes angry, and even some people from his own community did not support him. The upper castes thought that his education gave him the courage to say no.
To punish Rathnam and his family, powerful people in the village told others to ignore them and burned their hut. Rathnam and his mother went to the police for help under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Because of this, the unfair ritual was stopped.
This story shows that education and laws help Dalits fight discrimination and stand up for their rights.

3. What is the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, of 1989?
Ans: In 1989, a law was made to protect Dalits and Adivasis from unfair treatment, violence, and discrimination. In southern India, Dalits started fighting for their rights, refusing unfair caste duties and demanding equality, just like Rathnam’s story. Adivasis also fought to protect their land and homes but faced violence.

This law lists many crimes to show how badly people can be treated and punishes those who harm Dalits and Adivasis. It also reminds society to treat everyone with respect.

The law protects Dalits and Adivasis in three ways:

Stops cruel and unfair treatment:
- Punishes people who force Dalits or Adivasis to eat or drink dirty things.
- Stops acts that shame them, like stripping or parading them naked.
Protects their land and work:
- Prevents illegal land grabbing.
- Stops forcing them into labour.
Protects Dalit and Adivasi women:
- Punishes those who attack or insult them.

This law ensures justice, punishes offenders, and helps keep Dalits and Adivasis safe.