Understanding Marginalisation

A. Choose the correct answer and fill in the blanks.

1. d) 2. b) 3. b) 4. a

B. Fill in the blanks.

1. Scheduled Castes

2. were subjected to humiliation 

3. minority 

4. Marginalisation

C. State whether true or falsE. If false, correct the statement.

1. T

 2. F (correct: The practice of apartheid is an example of marginalisation.)  

3. F(correct: Marginalised groups do not have access to basic rights.) 

4. T 

5. T

D. Answer the following questions in 10–20 words.

1. Marginalisation is social exclusion of people.

2. The Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and minorities form the bulk of

marginalised groups.

3. The lower castes were considered as ‘polluting’ and were treated as untouchables

because of the nature of their jobs.

4. Adivasis are tribal people who have inhabited an area a very long time.

E. Answer the following questions in 50–70 words.

1. The caste system benefitted the upper castes of the varna system.

2. In earlier times, women had participated freely in the political sphere and enjoyed

a respectable position in the family and society. But over the centuries, their

rights diminished. They were pushed out of social representation and confined to

their households. Their right to property and inheritance was taken away. Social

customs like purdah and dowry were created which undermined the position of

women.

3. Historically, tribal societies were respected for their in-depth knowledge of the

forest and its resources and were left alone by the kings and the empires. But

this changed during the British rule in India. Forest areas inhabited by the tribals

were taken over by the British government for mining or industries, leaving them

homeless. The displaced tribes were forced to enter the mainstream society which

did not accept them readily as their customs, language, rituals and religious beliefs

varied greatly from theirs. Lacking education and socially acceptable mannerisms,

they were considered a misfit in the society and, hence, were pushed towards the

lower end of the social order.

4. Marginalisation threatens not only the physical but also the mental well being of

those affected by it as these groups of people face constant dominance by others.

Their self-esteem is diluted and they consider themselves as inferior to others.

F. Answer the following questions in 80–100 words.

1. Ask students to write the answer in their own words.

2. The social inequalities can be seen in these forms.

Education: Centuries of denial to education has resulted in large-scale illiteracy

amongst the marginalized sections which does not help in uplifting their status.

Lack of choices: The marginalised people, such as the Scheduled Castes or Dalits,were denied not only the freedom of choice in their professions but were also

barred from dining with or marrying people beyond their own castes.

Access to healthcare: Marginalised groups rarely have access to the healthcare

system. Poverty, illiteracy makes them vulnerable to severe health problems. As

a result, it is found that infant mortality rate, mental illness, malnutrition and

disability is very high amongst these groups.

The social inequalities translate into economic inequalities.

Poverty: The low social status of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

subjected them to high poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and landlessness. Other

marginalised sections of the society, like women (especially the widows) and

minorities, also suffered from poverty due to lack of facilities for them.

Lack of economic opportunities: The marginalised sections, such as the Scheduled

Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, lacked equal job opportunities due to their

low social status