Below are the notes based on the chapter “Confronting Marginalisation,” which is the sixth chapter in the Class 8 NCERT Political Science textbook.
Main Headings
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Confronting Marginalisation – Notes Class 8 Civics
1. Introduction
- Marginalised groups such as Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and women have historically faced discrimination and inequality.
- These groups have struggled through protests, education, economic upliftment, and legal actions to fight marginalisation.
- The Indian Constitution is a key tool in their struggle, as it guarantees Fundamental Rights to all citizens.
2. Invoking Fundamental Rights
- Marginalised groups use their Fundamental Rights to demand equality and justice.
- Key Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 17: Abolishes untouchability and makes its practice a punishable offense.
- Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender, race, or place of birth.
3. Laws for the Marginalised
- Government laws and policies aim to protect the rights of marginalised communities.
- Reservation Policy:
- Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in education and government jobs.
- Helps counter centuries of exclusion from education and employment.
4. Protection of Dalits and Adivasis
- The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
- Protects Dalits and Adivasis from discrimination, violence, and social exclusion.
- Lists crimes such as forcing Dalits to perform humiliating tasks, dispossessing them of land, and sexual violence against Dalit women.
- Case Study – Rathnam’s Story:
- Rathnam, a Dalit youth, refused to perform a humiliating caste-based ritual.
- He was ostracised and his house was burned down.
- He filed a complaint under the 1989 Act, showing how marginalised groups use the law for justice.
5. The Scourge of Manual Scavenging
- Manual scavenging is the practice of cleaning human waste manually, mostly by Dalit women.
- The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993:
- Bans manual scavenging and dry latrines.
- The 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act further strengthened the law.
- Despite these laws, manual scavenging still exists, and activists like the Safai Karamchari Andolan continue to fight for its abolition.
6. Adivasi Land Rights
- Adivasis face forced displacement due to government projects and land encroachments.
- The 1989 Act helps Adivasis fight for land rights, as the Constitution prohibits non-tribals from buying tribal land.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006:
- Recognises the land rights of Adivasis and forest dwellers.
- Grants rights to homestead, cultivable land, and forest resources.
7. Cultural Resistance Against Marginalisation
- Poets like Soyrabai and Kabir challenged caste discrimination through their poetry.
- Dalits and Adivasis express their struggles through literature, music, and art to create awareness and demand justice.
8. Conclusion
- Marginalised communities continue to fight for their rights through legal battles, social movements, and cultural expression.
- Laws and policies alone are not enough; continuous efforts and social awareness are needed to achieve equality.