Consider the following statements:
(A) The three main dimensions of untouchability are exclusion, humiliation-subordination and exploitation.
(B) Exclusion matters more than the other two dimensions in defining untouchability.
(C) Untouchability is most commonly linked to economic exploitation through forced, unpaid or under-paid labour.
(D) Untouchability is a south Indian phenomenon, its forms varying across regions.
(E) Being prohibited from collective religious worship is a form of exclusion unique to Dalits.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, C and E only
(A) The three main dimensions of untouchability are exclusion, humiliation-subordination and exploitation. — Correct. Untouchability has three main dimensions: exclusion, humiliation-subordination and exploitation. Together they define the practice.
(B) Exclusion matters more than the other two dimensions in defining untouchability. — Incorrect. No one dimension ranks above the others. All three are equally important in defining untouchability.
(C) Untouchability is most commonly linked to economic exploitation through forced, unpaid or under-paid labour. — Correct. Untouchability almost always goes with economic exploitation. The most common form is forced, unpaid or under-paid labour, or the taking away of property.
(D) Untouchability is a south Indian phenomenon, its forms varying across regions. — Incorrect. Untouchability is found across the whole country, so it is a pan-Indian phenomenon. Only its forms and intensity change from region to region.
(E) Being prohibited from collective religious worship is a form of exclusion unique to Dalits. — Correct. Dalits face forms of exclusion that are not practised against other groups. Being barred from collective religious worship, shared drinking water and festivals are such forms.
NCERT (2026-27): “Exercise for Tables 1 and 2 … |