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states, but not in Punjab because of the fact that cities do not know one another well. So, if a person
they are the most numerous there, so they should appears well off economically, he is given respect
not be regarded a minority in Punjab. Similarly, it irrespective of the caste or class he may belong to.
is not necessary that a minority will be socially
However, the condition in the rural areas has not
and economically backward; for example, the improved much, and social inequality and
Sikhs may be a minority in Delhi, but they are one
discrimination continue to be practised to some
of the most influential people as they have
extent. The constitutional provisions have
command over business and industry there.
certainly raised the standard of life for the
Therefore, the criteria for giving concessions to marginalised classes.
certain communities should be on the basis of
their social and economic basis. If they are UNTOUCHABILITY
represented adequately in government jobs, The society needs the services of different types,
industry and business, then they should not be
such as cleaning streets, washing clothes, making
considered a minority.
furniture etc. There is no doubt that the society
cannot run without the services of the people who
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
do these jobs. They are an important part of the
The Constitution of India, in its Preamble, has society. However, among Hindus, some
enshrined the ideals of social, economic and occupations are considered menial or ‘dirty’, and
political justice, and equality of status and the people doing them are not allowed to come
opportunity to all people. into contact with other people with ‘clean’ jobs.
The people with these ‘clean’ jobs call themselves
However, due to certain conditions in the society,
all people are not able to become socially, high-caste people while those in these ‘dirty’ jobs
are termed as low-caste people.
economically and politically equal. This is chiefly
due to the condition that they are not accorded
Info Bits
equality of status and opportunity. The people of Info Bits
some marginalised classes are not allowed to
enter certain places such as the public baths, or The practice of untouchability has been made a
are not allowed to adopt certain occupations, or punishable offence under the protection of Civil
are not allowed to live in the place where all other Rights Act of 1955.
social people live, or are not allowed to get The people of these low castes are not allowed to
admission in schools etc. All these conditions enjoy many facilities in the community, such as
result in discrimination against them, and have entering a place of worship, drawing water from
adverse impact on their social, economic and the community well, buying things from certain
political status. shops etc.
It was in view of this discrimination that the The people belonging to these
Constitution of India has made certain provisions low castes are called
for the marginalised classes so that their social, ‘untouchables’ and this practice is
economic and political status can be raised and called ‘untouchability’. Mahatma
they can be a part of the national mainstream. Gandhi called these people as the
The modern way of life in the cities has enabled to people of God. Many social Jyotiba Phule
diminish discrimination against these marginalised reformers have worked to
classes to a great extent, because the people live in eradicate untouchability in all its
common places, travel in common means of forms. Some of these social
transport, dine in common hotels and do many reformers were Jyotiba Phule, Dr.
other activities together. Another reason for this B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi
decreasing discrimination is that the people in the etc. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Social Justice and the Marginalised
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