In the Constituent Assembly, J. Nagappa from Madras argued that the s…

The correct answer is Option (4) → their systematic marginalisation in society

Option (1) their small share in the total population — Incorrect. Nagappa said the opposite. The Depressed Castes formed between 20 and 25 per cent of the population, so they were not a numerical minority.

Option (2) the absence of separate electorates for them — Incorrect. Nagappa did not trace their suffering to the voting system. Members like him said safeguards alone could not solve the problem, as it came from the norms of caste society.

Option (3) the poverty caused by colonial land revenue policy — Incorrect. Colonial land revenue was not his point. He blamed the way caste society treated them: they had no access to education and no share in the administration.

Option (4) their systematic marginalisation in society — Correct. Nagappa said their suffering came from systematic marginalisation. Society used their labour but kept them at a social distance, and denied them education and a share in the administration.