NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Untouchability – A Social Evil

Question: How did Mahatma Gandhi try to remove untouchability?

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi’s role in removing untouchability: Many religious and social reformers have tried to end untouchability. During the national movement, Gandhiji made the eradication of untouchability as one of his goals.

Mahatma Gandhi called the untouchables ‘Harijans’ which means ‘children of God’. He tried to integrate them into the freedom movement. he cleaned toilets, stayed with the Harijans in their colonies and shared meals with them. Gandhiji’s followers organized public dinners wherein they opposed untouchability by eating together with people from different communities and castes.

Question: Discuss two constitutional safeguards that prevent the practice of untouchability.

Answer: Efforts against untouchability:

1. The Right to Equality as guaranteed by the Constitution of India assures that no citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, colour, sex or religion.
2. Reservations have been made for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Question: Mention the five penal offenses recognized under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Answer: The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 contains many provisions to prevent the abuse and discrimination of the depressed classes. Some of the punishable offences recognized under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 are:

1. Forcing a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe member to eat or drink inedible substances.
2. Dumping waste, faeces or any other obnoxious matter in the premises or neighborhood of a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe.
3. Wrongful occupation or cultivation of land owned by a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe.
4. Interfering in the enjoyment of nights over land, premises or water of a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe.
5. Forcing a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe person not to vote or to vote for a particular candidate.

Question: What are the ways in which marginalized communities tried to overcome the discriminations they faced?

Answer: The marginalized communities tried many ways to overcome the discrimination they faced. They are:

1. Religious solace
2. Armed struggle
3. Self improvement
4. Education
5. Economic progress