In Indian languages, the term Dalit literally means 'downtrodden' and conveys the sense of an oppressed people. Though it was neither coined by Dr. Ambedkar nor frequently used by him, the term certainly resonates with his philosophy and the movement for empowerment that he led. It received wide currency during the caste riots in Mumbai in the early 1970s. … The most important state initiative attempting to compensate for past and present caste discrimination is the one popularly known as 'reservations'. … One of the earliest such laws was the Caste Disabilities Removal Act of 1850, which disallowed the curtailment of rights of citizens due solely to change of religion or caste.
The phrase 'such laws' in the passage refers back to a line that has been left out. Which of the following does that line state?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A number of laws were passed to end, prohibit and punish untouchability in particular
Option (1) A number of laws were passed to extend special programmes to the Other Backward Classes — Incorrect. Special programmes were extended to the Other Backward Classes only from the early 1990s. The 1850 Act that follows 'such laws' has no link with the OBCs.
Option (2) A number of laws were passed to list the castes and tribes deserving special treatment — Incorrect. The Schedules were a list drawn up by the British Indian government in 1935. A list of groups did not end or punish untouchability.
Option (3) A number of laws were passed to end, prohibit and punish untouchability in particular — Correct. The left-out line states that a number of laws were passed to end, prohibit and punish caste discrimination, specially untouchability. The Caste Disabilities Removal Act of 1850 was one of the earliest of these laws.
Option (4) A number of laws were passed to set aside seats in state assemblies and Parliament — Incorrect. Seats in state assemblies and Parliament are part of reservations. The left-out line speaks of laws passed in addition to reservations.
NCERT (2026-27): “State and Non-State Initiatives Addressing Caste and Tribe Discrimination … |