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. The word Dalit is commonly used in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and many other Indian languages, meaning the poor and oppressed persons. It was first used in the new context in Marathi by neo-Buddhist activists, the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the early 1970's. It refers to those who have been broken, ground down by those above them in a deliberate way. There is, in the word itself, inherent denial of pollution, karma and justified caste hierarchy.
The meaning of the term 'Dalit' is ____________.
(1) Broken, ground down by those above them
(2) Aboriginal people of a territory
(3) Religious minority
(4) Poor people
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Broken, ground down by those above them
Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, Option (4) can also be considered correct, as explained below.
Option (1) Broken, ground down by those above them — Correct as per NTA. In its new sense the word Dalit refers to those who have been broken, ground down by those above them in a deliberate way. The meaning blames the caste order, not the people: there is in the word itself an inherent denial of pollution, karma and justified caste hierarchy.
Option (2) Aboriginal people of a territory — Incorrect. The original inhabitants of a land are what the term Adivasi means (literally ‘original inhabitants’). The word Dalit is about oppression by the caste hierarchy, not about being the first people of a territory.
Option (3) Religious minority — Incorrect. The word Dalit does not name a religious group. It refers to those ground down by those above them in the caste order, the people the stigma of untouchability was imposed on.
Option (4) Poor people — Can also be considered correct. The word Dalit is commonly used in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and many other Indian languages, meaning the poor and oppressed persons. So ‘poor people’ is part of its everyday meaning, though the new sense given by the neo-Buddhist activists stresses that they were ground down by those above them.
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. The word Dalit is commonly used in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and many other Indian languages, meaning the poor and oppressed persons. It was first used in the new context in Marathi by neo-Buddhist activists, the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the early 1970s. It refers to those who have been broken, ground down by those above them in a deliberate way. There is, in the word itself, inherent denial of pollution, karma and justified caste hierarchy.…” |