Confronting Marginalisation - Free MCQ Practice Test with solutions,

Article 17. Abolition of Untouchability. -"Untouchability" is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of "Untouchability" shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

- A policy is a stated course of action that provides direction for the future.
- It sets goals to be achieved or lays out principles or guidelines to be followed and acted upon.
- Policies can be implemented by organizations, governments, or individuals to guide their actions and decision-making processes.
- Policies are usually established to address specific issues or concerns and ensure consistency and fairness in decision-making.
- They provide a framework for decision-making, help in resource allocation, and promote accountability.
- Policies can cover a wide range of areas, such as education, healthcare, environment, finance, and more.
- They are typically developed through a systematic process involving research, analysis, consultation, and review.
- Policies can be influenced by various factors, including legal requirements, societal needs, political considerations, and organizational objectives.
- Once a policy is established, it needs to be communicated effectively to ensure understanding and compliance.
- Policies can be reviewed and revised periodically to adapt to changing circumstances or to improve their effectiveness.

Dalits, Women & Adivasis all are facing inequalities due to marginalization. So, Option D is correct.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, was enacted to protect the marginalised socio-economic class of citizens and balance the right to environment with their right to life and livelihood.

Poetess Soyrabai wrote the poem on untouchability. Here are some key points about her work:

• She was the wife of the renowned Bhakti poet Chokhamela.
• Both belonged to the Mahar caste, which was considered untouchable in the fourteenth century.
• Her poem challenges the concept of purity and argues that all humans are born in the same way.
• Soyrabai highlights that true impurity comes from within, not from one's caste or occupation.

Government ensure to end the inequity in the country through Laws and Reservations.

Ostracise means to exclude or banish an individual or a group. It often refers to:

• A social boycott of a person and their family.
• A deliberate act of isolation from a community or society.
• A method of enforcing social norms through exclusion.

This term highlights the impact of social exclusion on individuals and groups.

A person or a group that can express themselves and their views strongly are assertive.

Kabir was a Weaver by caste.

• Manual scavenging refers to the practice of removing human and animal waste/excreta using brooms, tin plates, and baskets from dry latrines.


• This practice is usually carried out by individuals from marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, who are forced into this occupation due to social and economic discrimination.


• Manual scavenging is considered a highly degrading and inhumane practice, violating the basic human rights and dignity of individuals involved.


• It is a hazardous occupation, as manual scavengers are exposed to various health risks, including diseases caused by contact with human waste and toxic gases in septic tanks.


• The practice of manual scavenging is illegal in many countries, including India, where it is banned under the Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.


• Efforts are being made by governments and non-governmental organizations to eradicate manual scavenging and provide alternative livelihood options for those engaged in this occupation.

Manual scavenging is the practice of removing human and animal waste by hand. This involves:

• Using tools such as brooms, tin plates, and baskets.
• Carrying waste on the head to disposal sites, often located some distance away.

A manual scavenger is the individual who performs this task, typically facing:

• Harsh working conditions and serious health risks, including infections affecting the eyes, skin, and respiratory systems.
• Very low wages, with urban workers earning around £2 per day, while those in private employment earn even less.

Despite the abolition of untouchability in India, many manual scavengers, primarily from Dalit communities, continue to face discrimination and social exclusion.

In 1993, the government enacted the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, which prohibits this practice. However, it persists, leading to a PIL filed in 2003 by the Safai Karamchari Andolan and others, highlighting ongoing violations of rights.

The Supreme Court responded by directing government departments to verify the existence of manual scavenging and implement rehabilitation programmes if found.

In 2013, the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act was enacted, aiming to eradicate this practice and support affected individuals.

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is crucial for Adivasis for several reasons:

• This Act recognises the rights of Adivasis to their land and resources.
• It affirms their entitlement to homestead, cultivable, and grazing land, as well as non-timber forest produce.
• The Act aims to protect Adivasis from forcible displacement and encroachment on their traditional lands.
• It provides a legal basis for Adivasi activists to defend their rights against unlawful occupation.
• Furthermore, it addresses specific crimes against Dalit and tribal women, ensuring penalties for assaults.

The 1989 Act serves as a vital tool for Adivasis to assert their rights and seek justice against historical injustices.