EXERCISE
Question 1.
Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences.
(1) In Maharashtra …………………… seats are reserved for women in local self-governing institutions.
(a) 25%
(b) 30%
(c) 40%
(d) 50%
Answer:
(d) 50%
(2) Which of the following laws created a favorable 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
Answer:
(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.
(d) Judicial decisions
Answer:
(b) decentralization of power
Question 2.
State whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(1) Indian democracy is considered the largest democracy in the world.
Answer:
The above statement is True.
- Indian Constitution cancelled all the conditions which were put for voting before independence thereby increasing the number of voters.
- The Constitution adopted adult suffrage which has facilitated all adult men and women to cast their vote.
- The age limit to vote was reduced to 18 years from 21 years which gave opportunity of political participation to the young generation. No other democratic country in the world has voters- in such large numbers.
Hence, Indian democracy is the largest democracy in the world.
(2) Secrecy in the working of Government has increased due to the Right to Information.
Answer:
The above statement is False.
- To strengthen democracy and increase mutual trust between the government and the people, it is very important that the people should know about ‘the functioning of the government.
- Transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of good governance.
- With Right to Information given to the citizens, Government became more transparent. Thus, the Right to Information has reduced element of secrecy in administration.
(3) The nature of the Constitution is seen as a living document.
Answer:
The above statement is True.
- Parliament has the powers to make changes in the Constitution according to the changing circumstances and conditions.
- However, it should be done without tampering or changing the basic structure of the Constitution.
- As it has kept itself abreast with the changes, S the Constitution became a live and dynamic document instead of a rigid one
Question 3.
Explain the following concepts.
(1) Right based approach
Answer:
- India adopted democracy after independence. Each government which came to power took efforts to make the democratisation process more profound.
- In the initial stages, these governments considered citizens as ‘beneficiaries’.
- After the year 2000, the approach towards citizens changed. Democratic reforms were considered as ‘rights’ of citizens.
- Hence, the Right to Information, Education and Food Security was granted not as beneficiaries but as rights of the citizens. This approach is known as Rights Based Approach.
(2) Right to information
Answer:
- In order to bring transparency in the administration and make it accountable, Indian citizens are given Right to Information.
- Right to Information helped in promoting harmony between government and people and empowered the citizens.
- It brought transparency in administration, made the government realise that they are answerable to people.
- It has helped to reduce the element of secrecy which surrounded the functioning of the government. It made the government open and transparent.
(3) Women representation in the Loksabha.
Answer:
- The Constitution of India empowers women by granting them equal status with men and equal political rights.
- 22 women were elected in the Lok Sabha elections held in 1951-52. Their number increased to 66 in 2014 elections.
- Reservation has been increased to 50% in local self-governing institutions in Maharashtra and in many other states.
- If the number of women representative increased in Lok Sabha, it will help in reducing incidents of violence against women and increase their involvement in the decision-making process.
Question 4.
Answer in brief.
(1) What are the effects of reducing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years?
Answer:
- Earlier the Indian Constitution had fixed the voting age of 21 years.
- The voting age was lowered to 18 years.
- The young voters secured the right to vote and the increased number of voters was unparalleled. ‘
- They got the right to decide how their representative should be. ,
- Moreover, it provided to the unrepresented youth an opportunity to become part of political process being literate and politically conscious.
- It increased the scope of democracy by including the youth of the country thus making it the largest democracy in the world.
(2) What is meant by establishment of social justice?
Answer:
Establishing social justice means:
- To eliminate the practices and beliefs which are responsible for injustice towards a person or a community and which hampers collective progress of society should be eliminated.
- Government policies should be all inclusive which means it should aim at accommodating different sections of society.
- There should not be any discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, gender, language, property, region or place of birth.
- All should get equal opportunities for development.
(3) Which decision of the Court has resulted in protection of honour and dignity of women?
Answer:
- The apex court has given several judgments which have helped in protection of honour and prestige of women.
- Court gave judgement on Right to alimony as well as Right to equal remuneration.
- Women have an equal share in the property of husband and father. This gave them financial security. Dowry prohibition Act was a measure for women empowerment.
- The Act against sexual harrassment. Domestic Violence Prohibition Act are also very important in the direction of women empowerment.
- All these acts emphasised the need to protect women and protect their self-esteem and dignity rejecting the traditional forms of domination and authoritarianism.
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