What does it mean to give each person his/her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?
Concept: What is Justice?
Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.
Concept: What is Justice?
Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?
Concept: What is Justice?
Citizenship as full and equal membership of a political community involves both rights and obligations. Which rights could citizens expect to enjoy in most democratic state today? What kind of obligation will they have to their state and fellow citizens?
Concept: What is Citizenship?
All citizens may be granted equal rights but all may not be able to equally exercise them. Explain.
Concept: What is Citizenship?
Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Concept: What is Secularism?
Why is it necessary for a country to have a clear demarcation of powers and responsibilities in the constitution? What would happen in the absence of such a demarcation?
Concept: Why Do We Need Constitution?
What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Concept: What is Secularism?
Do you agree with the following statement? Give reasons for supporting or opposing it.
Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
Concept: What is Secularism?
Do you agree with the following statement? Give reasons for supporting or opposing it.
Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
Concept: What is Secularism?
Do you agree with the following statement? Give reasons for supporting or opposing it.
Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Concept: What is Secularism?
Write true or false against the following statement:
The Constitution guarantees remedy against violation of Rights.
Concept: Importance of Rights
Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the Cultural and Educational Rights?
Concept: Importance of Rights
A petition by a human rights group drew attention of the court to the condition of starvation and hunger in the country. Over five crore tonnes of food grains was stored in the godowns of the Food Corporation of India. Research shows that a large number of ration cardholders do not know about the quantity of food grains they can purchase from fair price shops. It requested the court to order the government to improve its public distribution system.
a. Which different rights does this case involve? How are these rights interlinked?
b. Should these rights form part of the right to life?
Concept: Importance of Rights
Read the statement by Somnath Lahiri in the Constitutent Assembly quoted in this chapter. Do you agree with him? If yes, give instances to prove it. If not, give arguments against his position.
Concept: Importance of Rights
Which of the following resembles most a direct democracy?
a. Discussions in a family meeting
b. Election of the class monitor
c. Choice of a candidate by a political party
d. Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
e. Opinion polls conducted by the media
Concept: Elections and Democracy
In the First Past the Post system, that candidate is declared winner who:
Concept: Elections and Democracy
“Indian democracy is now ready to shift from a crude First Past the Post system to a system of Proportional Representation”. Do you agree with this statement? Give your reasons for or against this statement.
Concept: Elections and Democracy
Write an essay of two hundred words on the proposal to have an elected administration instead of an appointed administration.
Concept: What is an Executive
Alok thinks that a country needs an efficient government that looks after the welfare of the people. So, if we simply elected our Prime Minister and Ministers and left to them the task of government, we will not need a legislature. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
Concept: Why Do We Need a Parliament
