Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 Notes - Confronting Marginalisation

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Facts that Matter

• Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and women are considered marginal groups that face inequality and discrimination in society. They strive to overcome these challenges and often challenge the existing inequalities.
• They believe that as citizens of a democratic country, they have equal rights that must be upheld. Many turn to the Constitution to voice their concerns.
• The Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights that apply equally to all Indians.
• They demand the government to implement these laws.
• At times, the efforts of the marginalised have led the government to create new laws that align with the spirit of the Fundamental Rights.
• Untouchability has been abolished, meaning no one can stop Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, or using public facilities. Furthermore, untouchability is now a punishable crime.
• The Constitution states that no Indian citizen shall face discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Dalits have used this to claim their right to equality.
• There are specific laws and policies aimed at supporting marginalised groups in our country.
• The government establishes committees or conducts surveys to promote these policies and create opportunities for those specific groups.
• The government aims to foster social justice by providing free or subsidised hostels for Dalit and Adivasi students.
• The Government’s reservation policy is a key initiative to address inequity in the system.
• The laws reserving seats in education and government jobs for Dalits and Adivasis rest on the understanding that, in a society where many have been denied opportunities for centuries, a democratic government must support these groups.
• Different governments maintain lists of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other backward classes. The central government has its own list as well.
• Students applying for educational institutions and government positions must provide evidence of their caste or tribe status through caste and tribe certificates.
• If a particular Dalit caste or tribe is listed by the government, a candidate from that group can benefit from the reservation.
• In addition to policies, there are specific laws to safeguard the rights of marginalised communities.
• The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was enacted in 1989 to protect Dalits and Adivasis from the dominance of more powerful communities.

Words that Matter

• Dalit: The term Dalit means ‘broken’ or oppressed socially and economically.
• Confront: To come face to face or to challenge someone or something. In the chapter, the word refers to groups that challenge their marginalisation.
• Policy: A well-planned course of action that provides direction for the future, sets goals to be achieved or lays out guidelines to be followed and acted upon.
• Ostracise: To socially boycott an individual  and his family.
• Dispasses. To give up ownership or authority.
• Morally reprehensible: An act that violates all norms of decency and dignity that a society believes in.
• Assertive: An individual or a group that expresses themselves and their views strongly.
• Manual Scavenging: It refers to the manual practice of removing human and animal waste or excreta with the help of brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carrying it on the head to disposal grounds.