Chapter 1 - Working of the Constitution
1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statement.
(1) In Maharashtra ………… seats are reserved for women in local self-governing institutions.
(a) 25%
(b) 30%
(c) 40%
(d) 50%
Ans: Option (d) – 50%
(2) Which of the following laws created a favourable environment for women to secure freedom and self-development?
(a) Right to Information Act
(b) Dowry Prohibition Act
(c) Food Security Act
(d) None of the above
Ans: Option (b) – Dowry Prohibition Act
(3) The essence of democracy is ……….
(a) universal adult franchise.
(b) decentralisation of power.
(c) policy of reservation of seats.
(d) judicial decisions.
Ans: Option (b) – decentralisation of power.
2. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(1) Indian democracy is considered the largest democracy in the world.
Ans: True.
Reason:
(i) Indian constitution guaranteed adult suffrage by giving the right to vote equally, to both men and women above the age of 21 years.
(ii) The voting age was further reduced from 21 to 18 which gave opportunity of political participation to the young generation of India.
(iii) Such provisions have made India the largest democracy in the world.
(iv) India has the largest number of voters compared to any other democratic nation.
(2) Secrecy in the working of Government has increased due to the Right to Information.
Ans: False.
Reason:
(i) The increased communication between citizens and government helps in strengthening democracy and in building trust relationships between them.
(ii) Citizens have a right to know about the working and activities of the government.
(iii) The Government of India gave Right to Information to the citizens of India to ensure transparency and accountability which are the hallmarks of good governance.
(iv) Right to Information has made the government more transparent and has reduced the element of secrecy in the working of government.
(3) The nature of the Constitution is seen as a living document.
Ans: True.
Reason:
(i) The Constitution is dynamic and is a living document.
(ii) The Constitution has to change according to changing conditions and Parliament has the power to make those changes.
(iii) Judiciary accepted this power of Parliament to make changes in the Constitution but at same time specified the limitations on this power.
(iv) Judiciary took a stand that Parliament while amending the constitution cannot alter the basic structure of the constitution.
3. Explain the following concepts.
(1) Right based approach
Ans:
(i) India adopted democracy after independence. Each government that came to power made efforts to make the democratization process more profound.
(ii) In the initial stages, these governments considered citizens ‘beneficiaries’.
(iii) After the year 2000, the approach towards citizens changed. Democratic reforms were considered the ‘rights’ of citizens.
(iv) Hence, the right to information, education, and food security was granted not as a benefit but as a right of the citizens. This approach is known as the right-based approach.
(2) Right to information
Ans:
(i) Citizen empowerment is a very essential condition of democracy.
(ii) It creates an opportunity for the citizens to participate and interact with the Government.
(iii) The increased communication between citizens and Government helps in strengthening democracy.
(iv) It helps to build a trustful relationship between the Government and the citizens.
(v) Right to information ensures transparency and accountability which are the hallmarks of governance.
(vi) Right to information reduces the element of secrecy in the working of the government.
(3) Women representation in the Lok Sabha.
Ans:
(i) In our country from the very beginning women have less representation in politics and political institutions.
(ii) But today the perspective changes are taking place in India as well.
(iii) The 73rd and 74th amendment reserved 33% of seats for women in local self Governing institutions.
(iv) The percentage has been raised to 50% in several states including Maharashtra.
(v) If we compare the women representation in 1951-52 elections the number of women MPs in Lok Sabha were 22 i.e. 4.5% and the latest election held in 2014 has 66 no. of women MPs i.e. 12.15%.
(vi) A gradual change is seen in the representation of women in politics.
4. Answer in brief.
(1) What are the effects of reducing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years ?
Ans: The following are the effects of reducing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.
(i) It provides an opportunity of political participation to the younger generation in India.
(ii) This provision has made India the largest democratic nation in the world.
(iii) This has increased the number of voters as compared to other democratic nations.
(iv) This effect has not only brought quantitative but also quantitative participation of young voters.
(2) What is meant by establishment of social justice ?
Ans: Our constitution has given the guidelines to establish a new society based on the two important objectives i.e. social justice and equality.
(i) The principle of justice and equality aims at ending discrimination in social status as superior or inferior on the basis of caste, religion, language and gender, place of birth, race property and giving equal opportunity for the development of individuals.
(ii) The efforts made by the Government and its policies to strengthen social justice and equality.
(3) Which decision of the Court has resulted in protection of honour and dignity of women?
Ans: The apex court has given several judgments which have helped in protection of honour and prestige of women.
(i) The Court gave judgement on Right to alimony as well as Right to equal remuneration.
(ii) Women have an equal share in the property of husband and father. This gave them financial security.
(iii) Dowry prohibition Act was a measure for women empowerment.
(iv) The Act against sexual harrassment. Domestic Violence Prohibition Act are also very important in the direction of women empowerment.
(v) All these acts emphasised the need to protect women and protect their self-esteem and dignity, rejecting the traditional forms of domination and authoritarianism.