Solution of Chapter 8. Confronting Marginalisaton (Social and Political Life-III Book)

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.

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.

Why do Adivasi activities including C. K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossessions? Is there anything specific in the provisions of the Act that allows her to believe this?

They 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. 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 marginalized community in your locality. Write a poem, or song, or draw a poster etc., to express you feeling as a member of this community.

State one reason why you think reservations play an important role in providing social justice to Dalits and Adivasis?

In your opinion does the force put on Rathnam to perform this ritual violate his Fundamental Rights?

Why do you think that Dalit families were afraid of angering the powerful castes?

Can you list two different provisions in the 1989 Act?

Look up the glossary and write in your own words what you understand by the term ‘morally reprehensible’.

What do you understand by manual scavenging?

Re-read the list of Fundamental Rights provided on page 14 and list two rights that this practice violates?

Why did the Safai Karamchari Andolan file a PIL in 2003?

What did they complain about in their petition?

What did the Supreme Court do on hearing their case in 2005?