These DAV SST Book Class 8 Solutions Pdf and DAV Class 8 SST Chapter 21 Question Answer – Social Justice and the Marginalised are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 21 Question Answer – Social Justice and the Marginalised
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 21 Solutions – Social Justice and the Marginalised
Something to Know
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Who among the following does not belong to economically and socially disadvantaged communities of India?
(a) folk musicians
(b) cobblers
(c) labourers
(d) traders
Answer:
(d) traders
Question 2.
‘Bishnois’, a tribal community lives in-
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Odisha
(d) Bihar
Answer:
(b) Rajasthan
Question 3.
A traditional Islamic educational institution is called a-
(a) pathshala
(b) gurukul
(c) madarsa
(d) mosque
Answer:
(c) madarsa
Question 4.
Which one of the following factors does not make a successful democracy?
(a) biased public opinion
(b) social justice
(c) equality of opportunity
(d) individual rights
Answer:
(a) biased public opinion
Question 5.
Which one of the following words does not find a mention in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
(a) Justice
(b) Liberty
(c) Harmony
(d) Fraternity
Answer:
(c) Harmony
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. India is a ________ and ________ democracy.
Answer:
sovereign; secular
2. Economically and socially disadvantaged communities of India are known as ________ .
Answer:
marginalised groups
3. The end of tribals’ traditional lifestyle had resulted in ________ and exploitation.
Answer:
marginalisation
4. The idea behind the reservation in the educational institutions is to increase the diversity of ________ and to bring about ________ in India.
Answer:
representation; social equality
5. The better educated and wealthier sections of the Backward Classes are called the ________ .
Answer:
creamy layer
C. Match the following.
| Column I | Column II |
| 1. The spiritual mentor of the Bishnois | (a) Scheduled Tribes |
| 2. A term used for the Adi- vasis in the Constitution | (b) A minority community |
| 3. Equality of status and opportunity | (c) B.P. Mandal |
| 4. Anglo-Indians | (d) Jambeshwarji |
| 5. Second Back-ward Classes Commission | (e) Right to Freedom |
Answer:
| Column I | Column II |
| 1. The spiritual mentor of the Bishnois | (d) Jambeshwarji |
| 2. A term used for the Adi- vasis in the Constitution | (a) Scheduled Tribes |
| 3. Equality of status and opportunity | (e) Right to Freedom |
| 4. Anglo-Indians | (b) A minority community |
| 5. Second Back-ward Classes Commission | (c) B.P. Mandal |
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
Mention any three elements which are essential for making a successful democracy.
Answer:
Social justice, individual rights, equality of opportunity and public participation in decision-making, make a successful democracy.
Question 2.
Which communities come under Other Backward Classes (OBCs)? Who identified them and how?
Answer:
- The communities under OBCs mainly comprise of small cultivators, agricultural labourers, artisans, people engaged in weaving, fishing, construction work, etc.
- They were listed as OBC on the recommendation of the Second Backward Classes Commission under the Chairmanship of B.P. Mandal in 1978.
Question 3.
Explain the term ‘Creamy layer’. Why should they be not given benefit of reservation?
Answer:
The term ‘Creamy layer’ is used for the relatively wealthier and better- educated members of the Backward Classes. It is argued that they should not continue to avail the benefits of reservation as they are rich and educated.
Question 4.
Highlight two values that we can learn from the Bishnois with respect to the environment.
Answer:
The Bishnoi conservationists take care of nature and live in harmony with it, instead of exploiting it. They have contributed more to environment and wildlife protection than the entire country put together.
Question 5.
Why was the provision of reservation included in the Indian Constitution? Who are the beneficiaries of this policy and how?
Answer:
The Constitution framers included the provision of reservation to uplift historically oppressed and marginalised sections of society, who were denied respect and equality. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs are the beneficiaries of this policy. Under this policy, a percentage of seats are reserved in the public sector units, Union and State Civil Services, Union and State departments and in all public and private educational institutions.
E. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Compare the conditions of the Adivasis of India during pre and post independence era.
Answer:
Adivasi groups have always been discriminated in the pre and post independence era. The forests in which the Adivasis lived were taken away from them in the name of development during the British period. As a result, they became landless and homeless. Many Adivasis protests and revolts occurred during colonial era against the exploitation. But they were quickly suppressed by the British in a merciless manner to discourage any future revolts.
Even in the post independence era, Adivasi groups faced discrimination at the hands of the government, the industrialists and many other powerful forces. The forests in which they lived were cleared gradually for timber, agriculture, mining projects or for wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc. This has resulted in problems, such as poverty, illiteracy, indebtedness, bondage, exploitation, disease and unemployment, etc., among the tribals.
Question 2.
‘The Bishnoi conservationists take care of nature and grow with it, instead of exploiting it.’ Explain the statement.
Answer:
For the Bishnois, a tribal community of Rajasthan, the preservation of animals and vegetation has been a religion to them since the fifteenth century. Their spiritual mentor, Jambeshwarji formulated 29 tenets – Bis (twenty) + noi. (nine). This is the origin of their name. The tenets are relate personal hygiene, maintaining good basic health, healthy social behaviour and worship of God. Their religion bans animal killing, felling green trees and directs them to protect life in all forms.
The Bishnoi conservationists take care of nature and live in harmony with it, instead of exploiting it. They have contributed more to environment and wildlife protection than the entire country put together.
Question 3.
Explain the term ‘minorities’. Why do they lag behind the majority community, both educationally and economically? How can they get their rightful place in society?
Answer:
On the basis of race, religion or language, the number of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Anglo-Indians is much less than the majority community and hence, they are known as minorities. Muslims are the largest single minority community in India. Minorities lag behind the majority community, both educationally and economically. A large part of Muslim population suffers from backwardness due to abstaining from the mainstream education and opting for traditional education, which is primarily religious. Many Muslim parents still prefer to send their children to a traditional Islamic educational institution, called madarsa, and not for modern education.
The government has launched many schemes for their welfare but they are disenchanted with them as the schemes have provided more money¬making opportunities to the rich and higher castes.
Sometimes, the best of the economic opportunities are reserved for the majority while the minorities are forced to continue with their hereditaiy occupations of menial jobs which paid them very little money. The minorities have to be provided their rightful place. They have to be protected from being dominated as well as discriminated.
Sometimes a minority community may feel threatened by the majority community, which gives rise to insecurity and disharmony. The development can continue only when each and every Indian joins hands and the national interest wins over individual interest. Keeping this in mind-
(i) The Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched several schemes for the welfare of the minorities and safeguards their rights.
(ii) Fundamental Rights such as Right to Freedom of Religion and Cultural and Educational Rights protect the minorities and give them the right to preserve their religion, culture and language.
Question 4.
Suggest any five measures that can be taken for the upliftment of the downtrodden in a democracy.
Answer:
To provide social justice and to end inequalities in society the following measures can be taken:
- Providing facilities for free and quality education.
- Providing an administration free of corruption.
- Providing financial help in the form of loans and grants.
- Setting up a efficient healthcare system for the masses.
- Setting up different welfare departments for them.
- Increasing employment opportunities.
Question 5.
What is meant by political safeguards? Who are the beneficiaries of this policy? How far is such a safeguard justified?
Answer:
The underprivileged and marginalised sections of society need to be given equal opportunity in nation-building activities. So reserving seats for them in legislatures acts as a safeguard of their political rights. As a political safeguard, seats in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, Panchayats and Municipalities are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population.
But still they are deprived of the benefits of development and continue to suffer due to social and educational backwardness. They cannot be isolated and forced to live on the fringes. On the other hand, minorities have to cooperate and live in harmony. They need to emphasise that they are a part of the whole. This will strengthen the composite culture of India.
Value Based Questions
As of 2013, India holds the title of the highest prevalence of stunted growth among children, due to open defecation, lack of widespread sanitation, malnutrition, which in turn, hastens the transmission of diseases and depletion of vital nutrients in growing children.
Question 1.
Identify the factors responsible for the transmission of diseases.
Answer:
Mostly diseases are caused by infectious agents like protozoa (food-borne diseases, water-borne diseases, etc.), bacteria, viruses and fungi, that can be transmitted from an infected person, animals, objects or the environment. For example, open defecation, lack of widespread sanitation and malnutrition fosters the transmission of diseases.
Question 2.
Suggest ways and means to improve the existing health scenario of India.
Answer:
Ways and means to improve the existing health scenario of India:
- Ban on open defecation and manual scavenging.
- Providing proper sanitation facilities.
- Setting up efficient healthcare system.
- Providing adequate amount of clean water.
Question 3.
How and to what extent has the present-day government contributed to the health protection of children?
Answer:
Contribution of government to the health protection of children:
(i) The government noticed the problem of child labour as one of the major social concerns in India. According to Census 2001, over 12 million children between 5 and 14 years of age continue to be employed in unorganised and hazardous industries and domestic services. So, the government amended the Child Labour Prevention Act in October 2006, banning children under 14 years of ago from working in various occupations, e.g. in hotels, dhabas, tea stalls, industries or in homes as domestic servants. Anybody found violating the ban must be penalised.
(ii) The government has adopted two schemes, e.g. National Child Labour Project Scheme and Grant-in-aid to voluntary organisations to organise programs for the welfare of the child labour.
(iii) The government provides some rights to children. These rights encompass freedom of children and their civil rights, family environment, health care, welfare, etc.
- Right to be bom.
- Right to minimum standards of food, clothing and shelter.
- Right to healthcare, to safe drinking water, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment and information to help them stay healthy.
- Right to live with dignity.
Something to Do
Question 1.
Imagine that you are watching the Republic Day Parade on TV with a friend and she remarks “Look at these tribals. They are always dressed up in colourful attire and they seem to be dancing all the time. How happy they are!”
How will you breakup her myth and perception about the tribals and tell her about the hardships they have to undergo?
Answer:
Do yourself.
Question 2.
Study the case of ‘Shompens’ tribals and answer the questions that follow. The Shompens, a shy, primitive tribe of Great Nicobar, has a population of only 390 Shompens.
They are hunters and food gatherers who live in thick jungles. They use bows, spears and arrows for hunting. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is making a policy to discourage the tourists from interacting with the Shompens to safeguard their identity and health, which is a major concern. Do you think that social isolation of these tribals will further add to their misery or protect them from negative outside influence? Justify your answer.
Answer:
Do yourself.
Question 3.
Organise an inter-group declamation contest on the topics—The Ground Reality of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in India. Divide the class into four groups. Each group will speak on the allotted topic.
Answer:
Do yourself.
DAV Class 8 Social Science Chapter 21 Question Answer – Social Justice and the Marginalised
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. Many minority groups still suffer from ________ .
Answer:
discrimination
2. It is not possible to eradicate discrimination without achieving the goals of ________ and ________ equality.
Answer:
social; economic
3. Untouchability is a form of ________ of certain castes or communities.
Answer:
marginalisation
4. The religious groups having a lesser number of followers compared with the majority religious group are ________ .
Answer:
minorities
5. All deprived sections of society should live with ________ and be treated as ________ .
Answer:
dignity; equals
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Who are the marginalised groups?
Answer:
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and other minority groups are called marginalised groups.
Question 2.
Who are called SCs and STs?
Answer:
The castes of Dalits and Adivasis (tribals) which are listed in the Constitution of India are known as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively.
Question 3.
Why do you think reservations play an important role in providing social justice to SC/ST/OBCs? Give one reason.
Answer:
Reservations create special opportu¬nities for SC / ST/ OBCs to come up in the mainstream of the society.
Question 4.
What is ‘Reservation Policy?
Answer:
‘Reservation Policy’ is a policy of the Government of India to provide social justice to all and to end inequalities in our society. Under this policy, seats are reserved for SC/ST/OBCs in the legislatures, government services, schools, colleges, etc.
Question 5.
What special provisions do the minorities enjoy?
Answer:
They have the right to protect their distinct culture and safeguard it from the influence of the majority.
C. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
“India opted for a sovereign and secular democracy after attaining independence.” Explain it.
Answer:
India opted for a sovereign and secular democracy after attaining independence. The Indian Constitution gave equal rights to every citizen and also recognised the need of safeguarding the interests of those who had suffered at the hands of so-called “higher castes’ or the ‘rich’. The shameful concept of castes was done away. The policies of the government, laws and other administrative measures aim to uplift the condition of the downtrodden/ the marginalised sections of society to achieve the ideal of social justice, as laid down in our Constitution.
Question 2.
A minority group can also play a major role in the development of the nation. Justify the statement giving a suitable example.
Answer:
Despite being a minority group, Sikhs have played an exemplary role in the development of the nation. They are the fourth largest religious group in India, accounting for about 2% of the multi-religious, muti- ethnic population of 1.25 billion. Inspite of its small size, the Sikh community has played a pioneering role in fields as diverse as defence, politics, business and sports.
Question 3.
What is the prime duty of a democratic government?
Answer:
It is the prime duty of a democratic government to ensure the progress of all sections of society. Measures must be taken for the upliftment of those who are not able to enjoy the benefits of development. All inequalities must be removed to establish an egalitarian society.
D. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How can we ensure that the marginalised and weaker section of society are equally benefited from the economic growth of the country?
Answer:
- The marginalised and weaker sections of society should be given enough opportunities to join the mainstream of the country. This can be possible only if their health and education are given top priorty.
- We must ensure that the interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities, women and children are protected and justice is provided to them.
- The abolition of untouchability by the Constitution means that no one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities, etc.
- This should be made effective so that they really enjoy the benefits.
- The Government of India should make all efforts to eradicate poverty, ignorance and disease which are deeply rooted in our societies, especially among the marginalised and weaker sections of society.
- Employment opportunities should be increased for them in order to empower them in the real sense.
Question 2.
The rich culture of Adivasis is an important part of India’s heritage’. Justify this statement by highlighting the lifestyle of Bishnois.
Answer:
- The Bishnois are a tribal community of Rajasthan. The preservation of animals and vegetation has been a religion to them since the fifteenth century.
- Jambeshwarji, their spiritual mentor, formulated 29 tenets (Bis = twenty + noi = nine). This is the origin of their name. The tenets are related to personal hygiene, maintaining good basic health, healthy social behaviour and worship of God.
- Eight tenets direct them to preserve bio-diversity and encourage good animal husbandry.
- Their religion bans animal killing, felling green trees and directs them to protect all life forms. Thus, they do not exploit nature. Instead, they save environment and wildlife.
Something to Do
Question 1.
Visit the website www. infochangeindia.org to find out the main provisions of the ‘Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989’ for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Now hold a discussion in the class to discuss these provisions. Suggest some more provisions to improve the social and economic status of the SCs/STs.
Answer:
Do yourself.
Question 2.
List the welfare schemes introduced by the government for the welfare of the SCs/STs and OBCs.
Answer:
- Sampoorna Gram Rozgar Yojana
- Swarna Jay anti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
- Indira Awas Yojana
- Backward Grant Fund