UPSC Prelims 2019 CSAT Paper II · Q1 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Political theorists no doubt have to take history of injustice, for example, untouchability, seriously. The concept of historical injustice takes note of a variety of historical wrongs that continue into the present in some form or the other and tend to resist repair. Two reasons might account for resistance to repair. One, not only are the roots of injustice buried deep in history, injustice itself constitutes economic structures of exploitation, ideologies of discrimination and modes of representation. Two, the category of historical injustice generally extends across a number of wrongs such as economic deprivation, social discrimination and lack of recognition. This category is complex, not only because of the overlap between a number of wrongs, but because one or the other wrong, generally discrimination, tends to acquire partial autonomy from others. This is borne out by the history of repair in India.

What is the main idea that we can infer from the passage ?

  1. (a) Untouchability in India has not been taken seriously by political theorists.
  2. (b) Historical injustice is inevitable in any society and is always beyond repair.
  3. (c) Social discrimination and deprivation have their roots in bad economies.
  4. (d) It is difficult, if not impossible, to repair every manifestation of historical injustice. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The passage states that historical injustices, such as untouchability, 'tend to resist repair' due to deep historical roots and complex structural overlaps.

• It explains that injustice constitutes economic structures, ideologies, and modes of representation, making the category complex.

• The text notes that specific wrongs, like discrimination, can acquire 'partial autonomy' from other forms of injustice, further complicating the repair process.

• Therefore, the central inference is that repairing all manifestations of historical injustice is extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to these entrenched and autonomous factors.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Untouchability in India has not been taken seriously by political theorists.
The passage explicitly states that political theorists 'no doubt have to take history of injustice... seriously,' contradicting the claim that they do not.
(b) Historical injustice is inevitable in any society and is always beyond repair.
The passage argues that historical injustice 'tends to resist repair' and is complex, but it does not claim it is 'inevitable' or 'always' beyond repair.
(c) Social discrimination and deprivation have their roots in bad economies.
The passage identifies 'economic structures of exploitation' as a component of injustice, not as the sole root cause of social discrimination and deprivation.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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