Question

The minority was defined by different groups in the following ways:

1. N.G. Ranga, a socialist who had been a leader of _the peasant movement, stated that the term minorities be interpreted in economic terms. He emphasised that the real minorities were the poor and the downtrodden i.e., the masses of this country. These include tribal people and poor villagers who are exploited by moneylenders, zamindars, malguzar and other people.
2. Jaipal Singh, an Adibasi, stated that tribes were not a numerical minority but they needed protection. They have been disgracefully treated and neglected for the last 6,000 years. They have been perceived as primitive and backward.

Which of the above statement is/are correct?

Options

• i Only

• ii Only

• i and ii

• Neither i nor ii

Answer 1

i and ii

Explanation:

Different groups defined the minority in the following ways:

(i) N.G. Ranga, a socialist and peasant movement leader, stated that the term minorities should be interpreted economically. He emphasised that the true minorities were the poor and oppressed, i.e., the people of this country. Tribal people and poor villagers are among those who are exploited by moneylenders, zamindars, mcllguzars, and others.

(ii) Adibasi Jaipal Singh stated that tribes were not a numerical minority, but they required protection. For the last 6,000 years, they have been treated disgracefully and neglected. They were thought to be primitive and backward.

(iii) Dakshayani Velayudhan of Madras refused to believe that seventy million Harijans should be considered a minority while their social disabilities were removed.

(iv) J.Nagappa of Madras pointed out that the Depressed Castes were not a minority in terms of numbers. They made up between 20% and 25% of the total population. They suffered as a result of their systematic exclusion.