I. Answer the following questions.
1. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.a. Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.Mistake: Leaders of the freedom movement were clear that the country should be democratic after independence.
Correct Statement: Leaders of the freedom movement were committed to the idea of India being a democratic country after independence.
b. Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.Mistake: Members of the Constituent Assembly had different views on various provisions of the Constitution.
Correct Statement: Members of the Constituent Assembly had varied views and engaged in debates on many provisions of the Constitution.
c. A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.Mistake: Not all countries with a constitution are democracies.
Correct Statement: A country can have a constitution without being a democracy.
d. Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.Mistake: Constitutions can be amended, even if they are the supreme law of the country.
Correct Statement: The Constitution can be amended to reflect the changing needs and aspirations of society.
2. Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in South Africa?a. Between South Africa and its neighboursb. Between men and women
c. Between the white majority and the black minority
d. Between the coloured minority and the black majority
Answer: c. Between the white majority and the black minority
3. Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?a. Powers of the head of the state
b. Name of the head of the state
c. Powers of the legislature
d. Name of the country
Answer: b. Name of the head of the state
a. Motilal Nehru
b. B.R. Ambedkar
c. Rajendra Prasad
d. Sarojini Naidu
i. President of the Constituent Assembly
ii. Member of the Constituent Assembly
iii. Chairman of the Drafting Committee
iv. Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
Answers:
a - iv. Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
b - iii. Chairman of the Drafting Committee
c - i. President of the Constituent Assembly
d - ii. Member of the Constituent Assembly
a. Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence?Answer: Nehru used the expression “not wholly or in full measure” to acknowledge that while India had achieved political freedom, there were still many social and economic challenges to be addressed.
b. What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?Answer: Nehru wanted the makers of the Indian Constitution to take a pledge to serve India and her people with dedication and to work towards the upliftment and betterment of all citizens.
c. “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?Answer: He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.
6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.a. Sovereign
b. Republic
c. Fraternity
d. Secular
i. Government will not favour any religion.
ii. People have the supreme right to make decisions.
iii. Head of the state is an elected person.
iv. People should live like brothers and sisters.
Answers:
a - ii. Sovereign: People have the supreme right to make decisions.
b - iii. Republic: Head of the state is an elected person.
c - iv. Fraternity: People should live like brothers and sisters.
d - i. Secular: Government will not favour any religion.
Report:
On November 26th, our school celebrated Constitution Day with great enthusiasm and respect. The day began with a special assembly where students and teachers gathered to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The Principal delivered a speech highlighting the significance of the Constitution and the values it enshrines, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
A short skit was performed by the students, depicting the drafting process of the Constitution and the contributions of key figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Following this, there was a quiz competition on the Constitution and the fundamental rights and duties of Indian citizens.
The event also included a poster-making competition where students creatively expressed their understanding of the Constitution's guiding principles. The day concluded with a pledge to uphold the values of the Constitution in our daily lives, fostering a sense of national pride and responsibility among the students.
8. Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors?a. Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule.Importance: Moderate. While British rule did introduce representative institutions, the Indian democratic spirit and demand for self-governance were more significant in shaping India's democracy.
b. Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.Importance: High. The Freedom Struggle played a crucial role in uniting Indians against colonial rule and advocating for a democratic nation that respects the rights and freedoms of its people.
c. We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.Importance: High. The leadership of democratic-minded individuals like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others was vital in establishing and nurturing democratic values in India.
9. Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912. ‘God has made the female species delicate and fragile both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection – of father, husband and son – all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’. Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?Answer: The values expressed in this paragraph go against the constitutional values. The Indian Constitution promotes equality, justice, and non-discrimination. It guarantees equal rights and freedoms to all citizens, regardless of gender. The Constitution's commitment to gender equality is evident in provisions like the right to equality (Article 14), prohibition of discrimination (Article 15), and equal opportunities in employment (Article 16). The extract from the conduct book reflects outdated and discriminatory views that are contrary to the values of equality and empowerment enshrined in our Constitution.
10. Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true.a. The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.Answer: Not true. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All other laws derive their authority from the Constitution and must conform to it.
b. Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.Answer: True. The Constitution outlines the structure, functions, and powers of the three branches of government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.
c. Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.Answer: True. The Constitution specifies the fundamental rights of citizens and sets limits on the powers of the government to ensure that these rights are protected.
d. A constitution is about institutions, not about values.Answer: Not true. While the Constitution establishes the framework for institutions, it also embodies the core values and principles that guide the functioning of these institutions, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
