Very Short Answer Type Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
4: What was the conclusion reached by the Justice Rajindar Sachar Committee?
Answer: The committee came to the conclusion that on a range of social, economic and educational indicators the situation of the Muslim community is comparable to that of other marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
6. What happened to Adivasis when they lost access to their traditional homelands? [V. Imp.]
Answer: After Adivasis lost access to their traditional homelands, i.e., forests, they became pampers. They faced the problems of livelihood and food. Hence, they migrated to cities in search of work. They got employment there but against very low wages. This made their life miserable. They caught in a cycle of poverty and deprivation 45% of tribal groups in rural areas and 35% in urban areas live below the poverty line. Their children, became malnourished in dearth of adequate food.
6: How are Adivasis portrayed today?
7: How can we tackle marginalization?
Answer: Marginalization is a complex and delicate issue and has to be handled by the Government very carefully. To rectify marginalization a variety of strategies, measures and safeguards have to be undertaken.
It is the duty of every citizen of this country to ensure that the Fundamental Rights of all citizen, whether they belong to the majority community or the minority community is protected. It is only the effort of everyone that will protect the diversity that makes our country unique and promote equality for all.
8. How are Adivasi stereotyped? [Imp.]
Answer: Whenever we talk about Adivasis, their fixed images come into our mind. We have a fixed impression about them. We believe that they are exotic, primitive and backward. Their colourful costumes, headgear, dancing and typical life style often give an impression that they lack advancement. We also believe that they are resistant to change or new ideas. This stereotyping about the Adivasi community leads to their discrimination and marginalisation.
9. Describe various reasons that forced Adivasis to move from their lands. [V. Imp.]
Long Answer Type Questions
1. What do you know about Adivasis? [Imp.]
Answer: The term Adivasi means original inhabitant. This community has close relation with forests. They depend on forests for everything. They cannot think a life without forests. About 8% of India’s population is Adivasi. Adivasis are found in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Assam, Manipur etc. There are over 500 different Adivasi groups in our country. Only in Orissa there are more than 60 different tribal groups. Adivasi societies are also most distinctive because there is often very little hierarchy among them. They practise their own tribal religions, different from Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. They have their own languages, which are as old as Sanskrit. Santhali is one of the languages which has the largest numbers of speakers.
2. Why are Muslims considered to be a marginalised community in India?
3: What are the reasons why a community is marginalized, and how does it affect the community?
Answer: The reasons for a community to be socially marginalized are:
Different language
Different customs
Different religion
Financial status
Education
Answer: The Adivasis are indigenous peoples and are believed to be the first inhabitants of India. Adivasis have distinct languages, religions and forms of self-government, together with a deep bond to their land and respect for nature. 8 per cent of India’s population are Adivasis. There are over 500 different Adivasi groups in India.
During the nineteenth century, substantial numbers of Adivasis converted to Christianity, which has emerged as a very important religion in modern Adivasi history. Adivasis have their own languages which may be as old as Sanskrit. The Adivasi language has influenced the formation of Indian languages, like Bengali.
5: What were the hardships faced by the Adivasis?
Answer: The Adivasis were pushed out of the forests of Jharkhand and they had to migrate to other parts of India and the world. The Adivasis experienced hardship and death during the migration. Five lakh Adivasis had perished in these migrations.
There are 54 national parks and 372 wildlife sanctuaries in India. These Parks cover an area of 1, 09,652 sq km. of forest land. The Adivasis were evicted from these forests.
Answer: Adivasi Community: In the precolonial period, Adivasis ruled the forest areas. They were hunter-gatherers and nomads living by shifting agriculture and also cultivating in one place. But as the development and urbanisation took place, forests were cleared off. This affected the life of Adivasis badly. They had to migrate to cities in search of work. They also lost their power. They were now marginalised. Now they had to work in plantations, at construction sites, in industries and as domestic workers. They had no longer direct access to the forest territories. They lost their domain, and were compelled to lead a very miserable life in the cities. Their children are malnourished. They have little access to education. 45% of tribal in rural areas and 35% in urban areas are bound to live below poverty line.
Muslim Community: Muslims are considered to be a marginalised community in India today because in comparison to other communities, they have always been deprived of the benefits of socio-economic development. Most of the Muslims do not avail basic amenities like water and electricity. They are bound to live in kutcha houses. There is little education among them. They have little access to public employment.
Other factors that make them marginalised are their customs and practices. Some-not-all-Muslims may wear a burqa, sport a long beard, wear a fez and these become way to identify all Muslims. Because of this, they tend to be identified differently. Often this becomes an excuse to treat them unfairly and discriminate against them.
