NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 – Confronting Marginalisation 1. List two Fundamental Rights in the Constitution that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals. Re-read the Fundamental Rights listed on page 14 to help you answer this question. Answer The two fundamental rights that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals are: Right to Equality: All persons are equal before the law. No citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of his or her socioeconomic background, caste, religion, etc. Every person has equal right of access to all public places. Right to Freedom: This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to move freely, the right to form associations, the right to reside in any part of the country and the right to practise any kind of profession, occupation or business. 2. Re-read the story on Rathnam as well as the provisions of the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Now list one reason why you think he used this law to file a complaint. Answer The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 seeks to punish those who humiliate or ill-treat the members of dalit or tribal groups. Rathnam sought the support of law, filing his complaint under the above Act to seek protection against the domination and violence of the powerful castes in his village. 3. Why do Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossession? Is there anything specific in the provisions of the Act that allows her to believe this? Answer The Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can use the 1989 Act to fight against dispossession because this Act guarantees the tribals not to be dispossessed from the land resources forcibly. They specifically pointed out that this Act merely confirms what has already been promised to the tribal people in the Constitution that the land owned by any tribal people cannot be sold to or bought by non-tribal people. In cases where this has happened, the Constitution also guarantees the right of the tribal people to repossess their land. Chapter 8 – Confronting Marginalisation Summary In this chapter, we will read about some of the ways in which groups and individuals challenge existing inequalities. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, women, and other marginal groups argue that simply by being citizens of a democratic country, they possess equal rights that must be respected. Many among them look up to the Constitution to address their concerns. We will learn how rights are translated into laws to protect groups from continued exploitation. We will also look at the government’s efforts to formulate policies to promote access to development for these groups. The chapter will talk in detail about the following: Invoking Fundamental Rights Laws for the Marginalised Protecting the Rights of Dalits and Adivasis The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Adivasi Demands and the 1989 Act