Important Questions for Chapter 5 Democratic Rights Class 9 Political Science
Important Questions1
What was the reason given by America for imprisoning people at Guantanamo Bay?
Answer
America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York on 11th September, 2001.
VSAQ
2
Which body exposed to the world that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were being tortured in ways that violated the US laws?
Answer
Amnesty International.
VSAQ
3
What are rights?
Answer
Rights are claims of a person over other fellow beings, over the society and over the government.
VSAQ
4
What can be done in case of infringement of the rights in a democracy?
Answer
They can approach courts to protect their rights.
VSAQ
5
Where do we find the basic rights in most democracies?
Answer
In most democracies, the basic rights of the citizens are written down in the constitution.
VSAQ
6
Which Fundamental Right allows importing religious instructions in minority educational institutions?
Answer
‘Cultural and Educational Right’.
VSAQ
7
Which Fundamental Right was considered as the ”The Soul of Constitution” by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
Answer
'Right to Constitutional Remedies'.
VSAQ
8
Explain the meaning of ‘Right against Exploitation’.
Answer
The Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking of human beings, forced labour or beggar and child labour.
VSAQ
9
According to which Fundamental Right, the public place should be accessible to all persons?
Answer
Right to Equality.
VSAQ
10
What did Dr. Ambedkar refer to the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’ as?
Answer
The Heart and Soul of our Constitution.
VSAQ
11
Find one word for the practice where the worker is forced to render services to the ‘master’ free of charge or at a nominal remuneration.
Answer
Beggar.
VSAQ
12
Which Fundamental Right in the Constitution of India prohibits child labour.
Answer
Right against Exploitation.
VSAQ
13
What are Fundamental Rights?
Answer
Some rights which are fundamental to our life are given a special status. They are called Fundamental Rights.
VSAQ
14
According to which fundamental right, the public places should be accessible to all the persons?
Answer
Right to Equality.
VSAQ
15
Why can’t the government compel any person to pay any tax the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion?
Answer
Under right to freedom of religion, it is not permitted.
VSAQ
16
The National Human Right Commission is an independent commission, set up by the law in the year.
Answer
1993.
VSAQ
17
Give the full form of PIL.
Answer
Public Interest Litigation.
VSAQ
18
The government is responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all the children up to the age of___________
Answer
14.
VSAQ
19
Name the right to seek the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights.
Answer
Right to Constitutional Remedies.
VSAQ
1
Why are rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution called Fundamental Rights?
Answer
• These rights are essential for the overall development of the citizens.
• These are enforceable in the courts of law.
• These have been given to all the citizens by the Indian Constitution and the government cannot abolish them.
SAQ
2
Mention the restrictions that can be imposed on various forms of freedoms granted by the Indian Constitution.
Answer
The following restrictions can be imposed on various forms of freedoms granted by the constitution:
• Freedom of speech and expression– reasonable restrictions can be imposed on this freedom.
• Restriction on freedom to hold meetings, processions, rallies and demonstrations and reasonable restrictions
can be put in the interest of public order.
• Restriction on freedom to form associations and unions can be imposed in the interest of public order, morality or sovereignty or integrity of India.
SAQ
3
"Secularism is based on the idea that the state is concerned only with relations among human beings." Explain.
Answer
• As a secular nation, every citizen of India has the right to freedom of religion i.e. ”liberty of thought, belief, faith and worship”.
• We have the freedom to run religious affairs.
• The Indian Constitution firmly states that all religions are equal before law.
SAQ
4
Mention any three rights of a detained person.
Answer
• To be informed of the reason of arrest and detention.
• To be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.
• Right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defence.
SAQ
5
“Secularism is based on the idea that the state is concerned only with relations among human beings”. Explain.
Answer
• As a secular nation, every citizen of India has the right to freedom of religion i.e., “Liberty of thought, belief, faith and worship”.
• We have the freedom to run religious affairs.
• Indian Constitution firmly states that all religions are equal before law.
SAQ
6
“It is the language, culture and religion of minorities that needs special protection”. What provisions have been made by the Indian constitution for the protection of these for the minorities?
Answer
• Yes, otherwise, they may get neglected or undermined under the impact of the language, religion and culture of majority.
• The Constitution specifies that any section of citizens with a distinct language or culture have a right to conserve it.
• Admission to any education institution maintained by government cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or language.
• All Minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institution of their choice.
SAQ
7
Explain how the scope of the right to information has expanded over time?
Answer
Parliament has enacted a law giving the right to information to the citizens. This Act was made under the Fundamental Right to freedom of thought and expression. Citizens have right to seek information from government offices.
SAQ
8
What do you understand by public interest litigation? Mention any two significances.
Answer
Anyone can approach the court if public interest is hurt by the actions of the government. Importance of PIL:
• The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government powers to make decisions.
• They check malpractices on part of public officials.
SAQ
9
Mention the freedoms provided under the ‘Right to Freedom’. Why are reasonable restrictions imposed on them?
Answer
Under the Right to Freedom, the Indian constitution guarantees six freedoms. These are :
• Freedom of speech and expression
• Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms
• Freedom to form associations and unions
• Freedom to move freely throughout the country
• Freedom to reside in any part of the country and
• Freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
SAQ
10
What is the role of National Human Rights Commission in securing the human rights? How does it work?
Answer
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) focuses on helping the victims secure their human rights. These include all the rights granted to the citizens by the constitution. For NHRC human rights also include the rights mentioned in the UN- sponsored international treaties that India has signed. The NHRC cannot by itself punish the guilty – that is the responsibility of the courts. The NHRC makes an independent and credible inquiry into any case of violation of human rights. The commission presents its findings and recommendations to the government or intervenes in the court on behalf of the victims. Like any court, it can summon witnesses, question any government official, demand any official paper, visit any prison for inspection or send its own team for on-the-spot inquiry.
SAQ
11
The 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' is called the heart of the constitution. Explain.
Answer
This 'Right' makes other 'Rights' effective. If sometimes our rights are violated by fellow citizens, private bodies or by the government, we can seek remedy through courts. If it is a Fundamental Right we can directly approach the Supreme Court or the high court of a state. That is why Dr. Ambedkar called it "the heart and soul" of our constitution.
SAQ
1
What is the relationship between the citizens and the Government of Saudi Arabia as far as human rights are concerned? State in five points.
OR
What is the position of the citizens in Saudi Arabia with respect to their government?
Answer
• Saudi Arabia is ruled by a hereditary king and the people have no role in electing or changing their rulers.
• The king selects the legislature as well as the executives. He appoints the judges and can change any of their decisions.
• Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organizations. Media cannot report anything that the monarch does not like.
• Every citizen is required to be Muslim.
• Non-Muslim residents can follow their religion in private, but not in public.
2
“The claims of the citizens should be such that it can be made available to the others also.” Explain. Also summarise the important characteristics of rights.
Answer
The above mentioned sentence means that the claims of the citizens should be reasonable. They should be such that can be made available to others in equal manner. Thus, a right comes with an obligation to respect other’s rights. Characteristics of rights:
• Rights are necessary for the very sustenance of a democracy.
• Rights protect minorities from the oppression of majority.
• Rights are guarantees which can be used when things go wrong.
3
Describe the features of Right against Exploitation.
OR
Describe the various provisions given under the Right against Exploitation.
Answer
Once the right to liberty and equality is granted, it follows that every citizen has a right not to be exploited.
• The Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking in human beings. Trafficking here means buying and selling of human beings, usually women for immoral purposes. Our constitution also prohibits forced labour or ‘beggar’ in any form. Beggar is a practice where the worker is forced to work without any remuneration.
• The Indian Constitution also prohibits child labour. No one can employ children below fourteen years to work in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous work place.
LAQ
4
What do you understand by Right to Freedom of Religion? Mention any five features.
Answer
• Right to Freedom of Religion states that in India every person has a right to profess, practice and propagate the religion he or she believes in.
• The right to propagate one’s religion, however does not mean that a person has right to compel another person to convert into his religion by force, fraud, inducement or allurement.
• Every religious group is free to manage its religious affairs.
• The government cannot compel any person to pay any taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institution.
• There shall be no religious instruction in the government educational institutions. In educational institutions managed by private bodies, no person shall be compelled to take part in any religious
LAQ
5
Explain the Right to Culture and Education.
Answer
• The constitution specifies the cultural and educational rights of the minorities.
• Any section of citizens with a distinct language or culture has a right to conserve it.
• Admission to any educational institution maintained by government or receiving government aid cannot be denied to any citizen on the ground of religion or language.
• All minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Here minority does not mean only religious minority at the national level.
• In some places people speaking a particular language are in majority while, people speaking a different language are in a minority.
LAQ
6
What can a person do in case of the violation of Fundamental Rights? What is PIL and how does it work?
Answer
• In case of any violation of Fundamental Right, the aggrieved person can approach the High Court or the Supreme Court for remedy. Moreover any person can go to court against the violation of the Fundamental Right, if it is of social or public interest. It is called the Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
• Under this any citizen or group of citizens can approach the Supreme Court or the High Court for the protection of public interest against a particular law or action of the government. One can write to the judges even on a postcard. The court will take up the matter if the judges find it in public interest. Even a newspaper article or report can be treated as a PIL by the court.
LAQ
7
Mention four new rights which the constitution of South Africa has guaranteed to its citizens.
Answer
The scope of rights has been expanding and new rights are evolving over time. They are the result of the struggle of the people. New rights emerge as societies develop or as new constitutions are made. The constitution of South Africa guarantees its citizens several kinds of new rights.
• Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones cannot be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
• Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
• Right to have access to adequate housing.
• Right to have access to health care services, sufficient food and water; no one can be refused emergency medical treatment
LAQ
1
Can a person change his religion? Support your answer with the concerned Fundamental Right.
Answer
Yes, a person can change his religion. He/She is free to change religion on his or her own will.
• Right to Freedom of Religion states that in India every person has a right to profess, practice and propagate the religion he or she believes in.
• The right to propagate ones religion, however does not mean that a person has right to compel another person to convert into his religion by force, fraud, inducement or allurement.
• Every religious group is free to manage its religious affairs.
• The government cannot compel any person to pay any taxes for the propagation of any particular religion or religious institution.
• There shall be no religious instruction in the government educational institutions. In educational institutions managed by private bodies no person shall be compelled to take part in any religious
HOTS
2
Explain in three points why do we need rights in a democracy.
Answer
Rights are essential in a democracy because:
• Every citizen has the right to vote and the right to be elected to the government.
• For any democratic election to take place, it is necessary that the citizens should have the right to express their opinion, form political parties and take part in political activities.
• Rights protect the minority from the oppression of the majority. The right ensures that the majority cannot do whatever it likes.
HOTS
3
Right to Freedom comes with some limitations. Justify with three suitable examples.
Answer
• You cannot use your Right to Freedom to incite people to rebel against government or to defame other.
• We can hold meetings but peacefully.
• We cannot carry weapons while participating in a procession or a meeting.
HOTS
1
In recent times female infanticide in Delhi and Haryana have been in the news. What values should be inculcated among the youth to avoid this situation in the future?
Answer
• Generate awareness through education to treat both the gender with the same respect in the society.
• Females should be made aware of their rights.
• Enforcement of laws on female infanticide.
VBQ
2
‘Rights are claims of a person over other fellow beings, over the society and over the government.‘ Justify the statement.
Answer
• Rights are reasonable claims,
• Recognized by society.
• Sanctioned by law.
VBQ
3
‘In democracy, the principle of non-discrimination extends to social life as well.’ Justify the statement.
Answer
The principle of non- discrimination extends to social life as well. The Constitution mentions one extreme form of social discrimination, the practice of untouchability, and clearly directs the government to put an end to it. The practice of untouchability has been forbidden in any form. It refers to any belief or social practice which looks down upon people on account of their birth with certain caste labels. Such practice denies them interaction with others or access to public places as equal citizens.
VBQ