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Constitutional Design NOTES 9

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that oppressed the black population by denying them basic rights and separating public facilities along racial lines. The Indian Constitution was drafted over several years by the elected Constituent Assembly and was informed by extensive debate. It guarantees justice, liberty, equality and dignity for all citizens and can be amended to keep up with changes in society. A constitution establishes the rules and principles for how a country is governed, balances state power with citizen rights, and expresses a vision for society.

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2K views3 pages

Constitutional Design NOTES 9

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that oppressed the black population by denying them basic rights and separating public facilities along racial lines. The Indian Constitution was drafted over several years by the elected Constituent Assembly and was informed by extensive debate. It guarantees justice, liberty, equality and dignity for all citizens and can be amended to keep up with changes in society. A constitution establishes the rules and principles for how a country is governed, balances state power with citizen rights, and expresses a vision for society.

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alagiya manavalan
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  • Question 1: Meaning of Apartheid: Explains the meaning of apartheid, its application in South Africa, and the oppressive effects on blacks.
  • Question 3: Indian Constitution Framing: Details the process involved in framing the Indian Constitution, including committee formation and the role of the Constituent Assembly.
  • Question 2: Constitution - Written Documents: Discusses the concept of a constitution as a written set of accepted laws and principles governing a country.
  • Question 5: Constituent Assembly's Role: Explains how the Constituent Assembly prepared the Constitution in a systematic and open manner.
  • Question 4: Preamble Ideals: Describes the main ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution including Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
  • Question 6: Constitutional Amendments: Discusses what constitutional amendments are and why they are necessary.
  • Question 7: Functions of a Constitution: Outlines the various functions of a constitution, including governance guidelines and citizens' rights.

Constitutional Design (CIVICS)

Question 1.
What is meant by apartheid? How was it oppressive for the
blacks?
Answer:
Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination
unique to South Africa. The white Europeans imposed this
system on South Africa. The system of apartheid divided the
people and labeled them according to their skin colour.

Many ‘whites’ had settled in South Africa and became the


local rulers. The system of public toilets, were all separate
for the whites and blacks. This, was called segregation. They
could not even visit the churches where the whites
worshiped. Blacks could not form associations or protest the
terrible treatment.

Question 2.
What do you mean by ‘Constitution’?
Answer:
The constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are
accepted by all people living together in a country.
Constitution is the supreme law that determines the
relationship among people living in a territory (called
citizens) and also the relationship between the people and
government.

Question 3.
What were the steps involved in the framing of the Indian
Constitution?
Answer:
The drafting of the document called the constitution was
done by an assembly of elected representatives called the
Constituent Assembly. Elections to the Constituent Assembly
were held in July 1946. Its first meeting was held in
December 1946. Soon after, the country was divided into
India and Pakistan. The Constituent Assembly was also
divided into the Constituent Assembly of India and that of
Pakistan. The Constituent Assembly that wrote the Indian
Constitution had 299 members. The Assembly adopted the
Constitution on 26 November, 1949 and it came into force on
26 January, 1950.
Question 4.
What are the four main ideals enshrined in the Preamble of
the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The ideals written in the Preamble of the Constitution are as
under :

 Justice: Every citizen of India will have social, economic


and political justice.
 Liberty: Every citizen will have the liberty of thought,
expression, belief, faith and worship.
 Equality: Every citizen will be provided with the equality
of status and opportunity.
 fraternity: All the citizens of India have been assured
about the dignity of individual and the unity and
integrity of the nation.

Question 5.
How did the Constituent Assembly work to prepare the
Constitution for India?
Answer:
The Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open and
consensual manner. First, some basic principles were
decided and agreed upon. Then, a Drafting Committee
chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution
for discussion. Several rounds of thorough discussion took
place, clause by clause. More than 2000 amendments were
considered. The members deliberated for 114 days spread
over 3 years. Every document presented and every word
spoken in the Constituent Assembly was recorded and
preserved. These are called ‘Constituent Assembly Debates’.

Question 6.
What are constitutional amendments?
Answer:
A constitution is not merely a statement of values and
philosophy. A constitution is mainly about embodying these
values into institutional arrangements. Indian Constitution is
a very long and detailed document. Therefore, it needs to be
amended quite regularly to keep it updated. Those who
crafted the Indian Constitution felt that it must be in
accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society.
They did not see it as a sacred, static and unalterable law. So,
they made provisions to incorporate changes from time to
time. These changes are called constitutional amendments.
Question 7.
What are the various functions of a Constitution?
Answer:
A Constitution performs several functions such as :

 It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is


necessary for different kind of people to live together.
 It specifies how the government will be constituted, and
who will have power of taking which decisions.
 It lays down limits on the powers of the government and
tells us what the rights of the citizens are.
 It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating
a good society.

Constitutional Design (CIVICS) Question 1. What is meant by apartheid? How was it oppressive for the blacks? Answer: Aparthei
Question 4. What are the four main ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution? Answer: The ideals written in
Question 7. What are the various functions of a Constitution? Answer: A Constitution performs several functions such as :  I

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