Solution of Chapter 7. Understanding Marginalisation (Social and Political Life-III Book)

Write in your own words two or more sentences of what you understand by the word ‘marginalization’.

List the two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalized.

Write one reason why you think the Constitution’s safeguards to protect minority communities are very important.

Re-read the section on Minorities and Marginalization. What do you understand by the term minority?

You are participating in a debate where you have to provide reasons to support the following statement:

‘Muslims are a marginalized community’. Using the data provided in this chapter, list two reasons that you would give.

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 dancing all the time.”

List three things that you would tell her about the lives of Adivasis in India.

In the story board you read about how Helen hopes to make a move on the Adivasi story. Can you help her by developing a short story on Adivasis?

Would you agree with the statement that economic marginalization and social marginalization are interlinked? Why?

Explain at least three different reasons why groups may be marginalised.

Why was Dadu forced to leave his village in Orissa?

In your own city or village, who would you think are the marginalised groups? Discuss.

Can you name some Adivasi communities that live in your state?

What languages do they speak?

Do they live close to the forest?

Do they migrate to other regions looking for work?

What metals are important in present-day India? Why?

Where do they come from? Are there Adivasi populations there?

List five products that you use at home that come from the forest.

By whom were the following demands being made on forest land?

● Timber for construction of houses and railways

● Forest land for mining

● Forest land for agriculture by non-tribal people

● Reserved by government as wildlife parks

In what ways would this affect tribal people?

What do you think this poem is trying to convey?

In your opinion, why is it important that Adivasis should have a say in how their forests and forest lands are used?

Why do we need safeguards for minorities?

Basic Amenities, 1994

Do Muslims have the equal access to basic amenities?

Literacy Rate by Religion, 2001

Which religious group has the lowest literacy rate?

Public Employment of Muslims (percentages)

What do these figures convey?

Read the data related to schooling provided by the Sachar Committee Report:

• 25 per cent of Muslim children in the 6-14 year age group have either never been enrolled in school or have dropped out. This percentage is much higher than that of any other socio-religious community (page 58).

Do you think special measures are required to address this situation?

I live in a Muslim-dominated area. Some days back during Ramzan there was some disturbance that started taking a communal outlook. My brother and I had gone for an Iftar party in the neighbourhood and were dressed in traditional clothes, that is sherwani and salwar kameez respectively. On returning home, my brother and I were asked to change our clothes to jeans and T-shirt. Now when everything is fine I wonder what was the reason that we were asked to change our clothes and why I didn’t find it odd. Were our clothes giving away our identity and is that identity linked to all kinds of fears and discrimination?

The above essay has been written by a child around your age. What do you think she is trying to convey?