NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 7 Understanding Marginalisation

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 7 Understanding Marginalisation

Q1. Write in your own words two or more sentences of what  you understand by the word 'marginalisation'?

Ans.

When a group of people is forced to stay away from the mainstream because of their language, religion, race or following of different customs etc. it is called marginalisation. Marginalisation is linked to prejudice, powerlessness and poverty. It leads to low social status and not having equal access to education and other resources.

Q2. List  two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised.

Ans.

Adivasis have been stereotyped as-

•Exotic, primitive and backward

•Resistant to change or new ideas

Because of these stereotypes, Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalized.

Q3. Write one reason why you think the Constitution's safeguards to protect minority communities is very important?

Ans.

The Constitution provides safeguards to religious and linguistic groups as part of Fundamental Rights. Our constitution has recognized that the culture of the majority influences the way society and government might express themselves. This can prove to be disadvantageous to communities smaller in number. Thus, safeguards are provided to protect minorities from being culturally dominated by the majority. These safeguards also protect them from discrimination and disadvantage they may face.

Q4. Re-read the section on Minorities and Marginalisation. What do you understand by the term minority?

Ans.

The term minority is used to refer to communities that are smaller in number in comparison to the rest of population. The Indian Constitution provides safeguards to the minorities as part of its Fundamental Rights.

Q5.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.

Ans.

The two reasons why Muslims are considered as a marginalized community in India are-

•The literacy rate of Muslims in India is the lowest at 59%.

•63.6% Muslims live in kutcha houses and only 30% Muslims have access to electricity. Only 19.4% Muslims have access to piped water.

Q6. 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.

Ans.

 I would tell the following three facts about the lives of Adivasis-

•The Adivasi societies are most distinctive as there is often very little hierarchy in them. It makes them quite different from organised communities that follow the Varna system.

•Adivasis live in jungles and they get everything of their need from the jungles. In turn, they respect their lands, forest and the rivers.

•Adivasis have their own languages, most of them are radically different from and possibly as old as Sanskrit.

Q7. In the storyboard you read about how Helen hopes to make a movie on the Adivasi story. Can you help her by developing a short story on Adivasis?

Ans

Here a story has been given below for an example: An Adivasi group lived in a village. They lived there peacefully and used to fulfil their needs from the land and the forests around them. One day a few strangers reached their village along with a government document and announced that the land where Adivasis were living belonged to Mr. Sharma (an industrialist). So they will have to vacate the village because Mr. Sharma wanted to establish an industry over there. When Adivasis did not agree to leave their land, they were humiliated and tortured Mr. Sharma finally decided to visit the- village personally and tried to settle the deal by offering some money to them. While coming to the village with his son, his car met with an accident in which he was badly injured and his son fell into the valley, but was saved. When Mr. Sharma opened his eyes, he saw himself surrounded by some villagers. He came to know that they saved the life of his son with the help of medicinal herbs available in forests. Mr. Sharma learnt that those people belonged to the same Adivasi group whom he wanted to abandon from their land. Finally, Mr. Sharma begged apology from the Adivasis and withdrew his idea of locating an industry in the village. He realized that it would not be justified to ruins the life of those who saved his son's life.  

Q8. Would you agree with the statement that economic and social marginalisation are interlinked? Why?

Ans.

Yes, economic and social marginalisation is interlinked. Take the case of Muslims in India- their cultural practices and customs are different from the others. Their women wear burqas and men sport beards. The men also wear skull caps. This makes most people believe that they are different from us. It gives them an excuse to discriminate against them and treat them unfairly. The social marginalisation of Muslims has often led to hatred and violence. In some instances, it has forced them to migrate from places where they had lived, leading to ghettoisation.