The character of Dalit Movements in India can be understood as:
(A) struggle for abolishment of stigmatization
(B) struggle for self confidence
(C) recognition as fellow human beings
(D) economic exploitation only
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B), (C) only
(A) struggle for abolishment of stigmatization Correct. Untouchability marked Dalits with a stigma. The Dalit movement is a struggle for abolishment of the stigmatisation that untouchability implied; it has been called a struggle to be touched.
(B) struggle for self confidence Correct. It is a struggle for self-confidence and a space for self-determination, so that Dalits decide their own course.
(C) recognition as fellow human beings Correct. Above all it is a struggle for recognition as fellow human beings, against a system that denied them equal dignity.
(D) economic exploitation only Incorrect. Economic exploitation and political oppression are important dimensions, but the Dalit movements cannot be explained satisfactorily by reference to economic exploitation alone. The word ‘only’ makes the statement false.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Dalit Movement … Social movements of Dalits show a particular character. The movements cannot be explained satisfactorily by reference to economic exploitations alone or political oppression, although these dimensions are important. This is a struggle for recognition as fellow human beings. It is a struggle for self-confidence and a space for self-determination. It is a struggle for abolishment of stigmatisation, that untouchability implied. It has been called a struggle to be touched.…” |