Understanding Marginalisation - Class 8 Civics - Extra Questions

Would you agree with the statement that economic and social marginalisation are interlinked? why?

Yes, economic and social marginalisations are interlinked. This can be described by the following:

  • The minorities are rendered marginalised economically because they are not allowed access to the benefits of economic development.
  • When there is no economic development the minorities do not develop socially. Their society does no experience the fruits of social development. They remain backward.


Re-read the section on Minorities and Marginalisation. What do you understand by the term minority?

Minority is the term which generally means the communities which are small in number in comparison to the communities which are more in number. But in real, this is just one aspect. Minorities are also those communities which lack access to resources, power and are socially or economically backward or both. For example, Muslims are in minority in comparison to Hindus.



On what basis were the Ansaris treated unequally?

The Ansaris were treated unequally on the basis of religion.


What suggestion was given to Ansaris by the property dealer?

They were suggested to change their names and call themselves Mr and Mrs Kumar.



_______ stop us from looking at each person as a unique individual with his/her own special qualities and skills that are different from others.

Stereotypes stop us from looking at each person as a unique individual with his/her own special qualities and skills that are different from others.


Write one reason why you think the Constitutions safeguards to protect minority communities are very important?

The Constitution's safeguards to protect minority communities are very important because they ensure that India's cultural diversity is protected from becoming largely unitary and they also help to promote equality and justice to all.



List two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised.

The two reasons why Adivasis are becoming increasingly marginalised are:

  • The people often wrongly believe that Adivasis are exotic, primitive and backward.
  • That often Adivasis are blamed for their lack of advancement as they are believed to be resistant to change or new ideas.


You are participating in a debate where you have to provide reasons to support the following statement: Muslims are a marginalised community. Using the data provided in this chapter, list two reasons that you would give.

Following figures suggest that Muslims are a marginalized community:

  • Literacy rate among Muslims is 59%; compared to 65% among Hindus, 80% among Christians, 70% among Sikhs, 73% among Buddhists and 94% among Jains.
  • Muslims representation in the esteemed IAS (Indian Administrative Service) cadre is just 3%.



Write in your own words two or more sentences of what you understand by the word marginalisation.

The word ‘marginalisation’ simply means exclusion from the mainstream. Marginalisation of any community or a person can be because of many reasons like -

  • Speaking a different language,
  • Following different customs,
  • Belonging to different religious group from the majority community etc.

Marginalisation is linked to experiencing disadvantage, prejudice, poverty and powerlessness. It is a complex phenomenon which results into a low social status, not having equal access to education and other resources.



Imagine that you are watching the Republic Day parade on TV with a friend and she remarks- "Look at those tribal people. They look so exotic and they seem to be dancing all the time."
List three things that you would tell her about the lives of Adivasis in India.

The three things I would tell a friend about the Adivasis in India would be:

  • Lives of Adivasis are actually very rich but people seem to know very little about the realities of their lives.
  • They are usually shown in stereotypical ways in colourful costumes, headgear and dancing.
  • Often people wrongly believe that Adivasis are exotic, primitive, backward and immune to development. They have their own customs and education system very different from ours. They are more attached to the mother nature than us and always there to protect it.


Class 8 Civics Extra Questions