SPL(VIII)-LESSON-7 UNDERSTANDING MARGINALISATION (LESSON NOTES)

 

SPL(VIII)-LESSON-7

UNDERSTANDING MARGINALISATION

LESSON NOTES

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v MARGINALISATION

Ø Marginalization refers a situation where some communities are excluded from the main stream of the society because of their language, customs or religion. Because of the marginalisation these communities are deprived from the access of the resources which caused the discrimination.

 

Ø Adivasis, Dalits and Muslims are referred as marginalised communities due to their political, economic and cultural status.

v ADIVASI OR TRIBALS

Ø The original inhabitants who lived in the forest and did not follow the rules of Jai-varna prescribed by brahmans are known as Adivasis or tribal. The Indian government use the term Scheduled Tribes for Adivasis.

 

Ø Around 8% of India’s population is Adivasi or Scheduled Tribes.

Ø Adivasis are particularly numerous in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and in the north-eastern states.

Ø Orissa is home to more than 60 different tribal groups.

v RITUALS AND PRACTISE OF ADIVASIS

Ø Adivasis practise a range of tribal religions that are different from Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.

Ø They worship their ancestors or nature spirits like mountain, river, animal etc.

Ø They always influenced by different surrounding religions like Shakta, Buddhist, Vaishnav, Bhakti and Christianity. For example the Jagannath cult of Orissa and Shakti and Tantric traditions in Bengal and Assam.

Ø Adivasis have their own languages which is different from the others.

v ADIVASIS AND STEREOTYPING

Ø There are many stereotypes about Adivasis as

Ø They are usually portrayed in colourful costumes and headgear. Their dances are also unique.

Ø It is the general belief of the people that Adivasis are exotic, primitive and backward.

Ø Adivasis are blamed for their lack of advancement as they are believed to be resistant to change or new ideas. But it is not so in reality.

v GOLDEN PERIOD OF ADIVASIS

Ø Adivasi people lived in forest from ancient time. So, they had deep knowledge of forests

Ø As you know that Forests are very crucial for the development of all empires and settled civilisations in India.

Ø So, these Adivasi people played a very significant role for the crucial access to these forest resources as iron, timbers, animals, coal, diamond etc.

Ø This is radically contrary to our image of Adivasis today as somewhat marginal and powerless communities.

v REASON OF THEIR MARGINLISATION

Ø But today they are considered marginalised communities. Different causes we can find as:-

§  In the pre-colonial period Adivasis were basically hunter-gatherers and nomads. They practised shifting cultivation. Some Adivasis also cultivated in one place.

§  Slowly and steadily they began to migrate because of economic changes, forest policies, etc. Thus, they lost their access to forests.

§  The forest land that once belonged to Adivasis, were cleared for different purposes such as agriculture and industry.

§  According to official figures, more than 50% of persons displaced due to mines and mining projects are tribals.

§  Another recent data shows that 79% of the persons displaced from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand tribals.

§  With the loss of access to forests Adivasis lost their means of livelihood. As a result, they migrated to cities in search of work.

§  In the cities, they lead a very miserable life. Their children are malnourished. They have no access to education.

§  45% of tribal groups in rural areas and 35% in urban areas live below the poverty line.

 

v MINORITIES

Ø The communities which are numerically small in relation to the rest of population are known as Minorities.

Ø It encompasses issues of power, access to resources and has social and cultural dimensions.

v SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

Ø People belonging to majority group may suppress or overpower minority communities.

Ø This may lead to their marginalisation. Hence, it is necessary to protect their interest.

Ø The Constitution of India provides safeguards to protect minority communities.

Ø In India, Muslims are considered as one of the minority community. They are 13.4% (According to 2001) of total population. But according to 2011 census the Muslims constituted 14.23% of total population.

v MUSLIMS AND MARGINALISATION

Ø Muslim community is also socially marginalised.

Ø Muslims are 13.4 % of India’s population. They have over the years been deprived of the benefits of socio-economic development.

Ø They have little access to education.

	All	Hindus	Muslims	Christians	Sikhs	Buddhists	Jains
LITERACY RATE	65%	65%	59%	80%	70%	73%	94%
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT		IAS	IPS	IFS	Central Public	State PSU	Banks & RBI
		3	4	1.8	3.3	10.8	2.2

Ø They are deprived of basic amenities like water, electricity and piped water.

Ø In public employment too they always lag behind to other communities.

BASIC AMENITIES	HINDU	MUSLIMS
KUTCH HOUSE	55.2%	63.6
ELECTRICITY	43.2%	30%
PIPED WATER	25.3%	19.4%

 

v MUSLIMS AND STEREOTYPING

Ø Muslim customs and practices such as wearing burqa and fez make them different from others.

Ø Because of this, they tend to be identified differently and some people think that they are not like the ‘rest of us’.It had a great impact like:-

§  This often becomes an excuse to treat them unfairly.

§  This social marginalisation of Muslims has led to them migrating from places where they have lived.

§  Sometimes, this prejudice leads to hatred and violence.

 

v SACHAR COMMITTEE REPORT

Ø Government set-up a high-level committee in 2005 Chaired by Justice

Rajindar Sachar, known as Sachar committee.

Ø This committee examine the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim Community in India.

Ø The report discusses in detail the marginalisation of this community.

Ø It suggests that on a range of social, economic and educational indicators the situation of the Muslim community is comparable to total of other marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Ø It is quite essential to bring these communities in the mainstream so that they may avail access to rights, development and other opportunities.

v IMPORTANT TERMS

Ø Marginalisation: The term refers to the situation in which an individual or a group of individuals is deprived of certain privileges or treated as different from others.

Ø Adivasi: It literally means ‘original inhabitants’.

Ø Hierarchy: A graded system or arrangement of persons or things. These who find themselves avail the least power.

Ø Mainstream: People or communities that are considered to be at the centre of a society.

Ø Displaced: People who are forced to move from their homes for some reasons such as construction of dams, etc.

Ø Militarised: An area where the presence of the armed forces is considerable.

Ø Malnourished: One who does not get adequate food.

Ø Ghettoization: Ghettoisation is a process in which an area or locality is populated largely by members of a particular community.