Social Justice and the Marginalized Chapter Notes | Civics Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

• Marginalization is when groups are pushed to a lower social status and excluded from society.
• It happens due to differences in religion, language, culture, financial status, or traditions.
• Marginalization goes beyond poverty and includes denial of resources and social rights.
• It pushes people to powerless positions, limiting their participation in economic, social, and political life.
• Marginalized groups lack support, leading to isolation and discrimination.

Extract: UP Government Employees Strike Against Quota Bil

• On September 2, 2012, Uttar Pradesh government employees went on strike to protest a bill proposing reservations for SCs and STs in job promotions.
• The strike was led by the Sarvjan Hitai Sanrakshan Samiti, with protests outside the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow.
• Leaders like Rajendra Chaudhary (Samajwadi Party) and Anil Singh (Shiv Sena) attended the protest.
• Chaudhary opposed reservations in promotions, stating they were not in the national interest.
• Samiti President Shaielndra Dubey argued the bill violates the Constitution’s right to equality.

Marginalization in India

• The caste system in India historically excluded groups like leather workers and manual scavengers.
• These groups faced humiliation and suppression and are now classified as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• The Constitution provides measures to improve the conditions of these marginalized groups.
• Minority communities, smaller in number compared to the majority, also receive constitutional protection.
• The government works to uplift women, children, the elderly, and differently-abled people.

The Scheduled Castes

• The caste system placed some groups at the lowest level, leading to their exploitation.
• Scheduled Castes (SCs) were denied education and did low-status jobs like cleaning animal skins or night soil.
• SCs are officially recognized as socially and economically disadvantaged.
• During British rule, they were called Depressed Classes.
• The term "untouchables" was used derogatorily due to their work, but untouchability is now banned.
• SCs receive special rights and preferential treatment under the Constitution.
• The government allocates resources and jobs to promote their interests.
• Mahatma Gandhi fought against untouchability, calling SCs "Harijans" (Children of God).
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, from the Mahar caste, worked to improve the condition of SCs.

The Scheduled Tribes

• Scheduled Tribes (STs) are marginalized due to their ethnicity and are called adivasis.
• Over 200 tribes with over 100 languages make up 7.5% of India’s population (50 million).
• STs have unique cultures, live in forested areas, and avoid contact with mainstream society.
• They lack a rigid social hierarchy and do not follow the caste system.
• Their religion involves worshiping ancestors, village spirits, or nature spirits in sacred groves.
• Tribes like Santhals, Hos, Mundas, Oraons, Gonds, Konds, and Bhils live in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, and Tripura.
• Most STs work as agricultural laborers or cultivators, with low education and high poverty rates.

Other Backward Classes

• Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are socially and educationally disadvantaged groups, distinct from SCs and STs.
• Article 340 led to a commission to study and improve their condition.
• The Mandal Commission (1979) recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in public jobs and higher education.

Provisions in the Indian Constitution

• The Constitution recognizes discrimination against SCs, STs, and OBCs due to social issues, isolation, and lack of resources.
• It includes provisions to ensure their progress.

Provisions for SC/ST/OBC and Minorities

• Article 15(5): Allows special provisions for SCs, STs, and backward classes in private educational institutions.
• Article 16(4): Permits reservation in public service jobs for underrepresented backward classes.
• Article 16(4A): Allows reservations in promotions for SCs and STs.
• Article 17: Abolishes untouchability and its practice.
• Article 19(5): Allows restrictions on movement or residence for the benefit of STs.
• Article 40: Reserves one-third of seats in Panchayats for SCs and STs.
• Article 46: Directs states to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially SCs and STs.
• Article 275: Provides special grants to states for tribal welfare.
• Articles 330/332: Reserve seats for SCs and STs in Parliament and state legislatures.
• Article 335: Allows relaxed qualifying marks for SCs/STs in education and promotions.

Provisions Relating to Social Justice

• Safeguards protect minorities from cultural domination by the majority.
• The Constitution promotes cultural diversity, equality, and justice.
• Citizens can approach courts if their Fundamental Rights are violated.
• Government policies provide opportunities for SCs, STs, OBCs, and marginalized groups.
• Free or subsidized hostels are provided for Dalit and adivasi students.
• The Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989) protects Dalits from discrimination and ill-treatment.

Case Study: Social Justice

• The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) urged Delhi Police to use the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the murderers of Nido Taniam, a student from Arunachal Pradesh, killed in Delhi on January 30, 2014.
• Taniam, a Scheduled Tribe member, was beaten by a group, and police failed to protect him.
• ACHR noted increasing racial attacks on people from Northeast India in Delhi.
• ACHR demanded action against both the attackers and police for failing to protect Taniam.

Social and Economic Inequality

• Social and economic marginalization are linked, caused by low social status, lack of education, or different traditions.
• Marginalized groups face difficulties in renting homes, finding jobs, or accessing schools.
• The zamindari system left many SCs and STs landless, limiting their economic growth.
• Forest policies forced tribals to abandon traditional livelihoods, pushing them into low-paying jobs.
• No rehabilitation was provided for tribals whose lands were taken, widening the inequality gap.

Reservations and Quota System in India

• Reservations set aside seats in government institutions for marginalized groups.
• They aim to help underprivileged groups grow equally with others.
• Reservations began during the colonial period and continued after the Constitution’s enforcement.
• In 1991, the Mandal Commission led to 27% reservation for OBCs.
• In 1995, 3% reservation was allocated for the physically disabled.
• Current reservation percentages: SCs (15%), STs (7.5%), OBCs (27%), totaling 49.5%.
• General reservation, including SCs/STs/OBCs, is 50.5%.
• Reservations in education, civil services, and industries have limited impact, e.g., tribal literacy in Andhra Pradesh is only 11% compared to the national 29%.
• Few adivasis complete schooling, limiting their use of reservation quotas.