Democratic Rights

I. Multiple choice question:-

1. Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to equality?

a) Article 14 c) Article 21
b) Article 19 d) Article 32

2. Which of the following is not a fundamental right?

a) Right to equality
b) Right to freedom of speech and expression
c) Right to property
d) Right to protection of life and personal liberty

3. In which year was the Right to Information Act passed in India?

a) 2002 c) 2010
b) 2005 d) 2014

4. Which organization ensures the enforcement of human rights in India?

a) United Nations
b) Amnesty International
c) National Human Rights Commission
d) Human Rights Watch

5. Which of the following is not a feature of a democratic government?

a) Universal adult franchise
b) Protection of fundamental rights
c) Centralized decision-making
d) Regular elections
6. Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and
expression?
a) Article 14 c) Article 21
b) Article 19 d) Article 32

7. Which of the following is not a form of social inequality?

a) Caste discrimination c) Linguistic diversity
b) Gender inequality d) Economic disparities

8. Which amendment to the Indian Constitution lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
years?
a) 42nd Amendment c) 61st Amendment
b) 44th Amendment d) 73rd Amendment
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9. Which right allows individuals to approach the courts for protection of their fundamental
rights?
a) Right to equality
b) Right to freedom of speech and expression
c) Right to constitutional remedies
d) Right to freedom of religion

10. Which of the following is not an example of a political right?

a) Right to vote c) Right to clean environment
b) Right to contest elections d) Right to protest peacefully

11. Which of the following is a democratic country?

a) China c) India
b) Saudi Arabia d) North Korea

12. Which of the following is a violation of democratic rights?

a) Right to education
b) Right to equal pay for equal work
c) Forced labor
d) Right to healthcare

13. Which organization is responsible for conducting elections in India?

a) Election Commission of India
b) Union Public Service Commission
c) Parliament of India
d) President of India

14. Which of the following is not a fundamental duty of an Indian citizen?

a) To vote in elections
b) To protect and improve the natural environment
c) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood
d) To follow the directions of the President

15. Which right protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of
religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
a) Right to equality
b) Right to freedom of speech and expression
c) Right against exploitation
d) Right to constitutional remedies

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II. Assertion- Reason question:-
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(D) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.

Q.1. Assertion: Democracy is a form of government in which the power is vested in a few
individuals.
Reason: Democracy is a form of government in which the power is vested in the hands of the
people.

Q.2. Assertion: Free and fair elections are an essential feature of democracy.
Reason: Elections ensure that the people can choose their representatives and hold them
accountable.

Q.3. Assertion: Democracy is not just about government of the people but also about
government for the people.

Reason: Democracy ensures that the government is responsive to the needs and aspirations
of the people.

Q.4. Assertion: Democracy is a perfect form of government.

Reason: Democracy ensures that all citizens are treated equally and have equal
opportunities.

Q.5. Assertion: Democracy is a western concept that cannot be applied in non-western

societies.
Reason: Democracy is based on universal values such as freedom, equality, and justice that
are applicable to all societies.

III. Very short answer type question:-

1. What are rights?
Answer:
Rights are reasonable claims of persons over other fellow beings over the society, and over
the government recognised by society and sanctioned by law.
2. Define Fundamental Rights.
Answer:
The Fundamental Rights are those basic conditions which are considered essential for the
overall development of a person. These are guaranteed under the Constitution.
3. ‘Some rights need to be placed higher than the government’. Give reason.
Answer:
Thought it is the duty of each democratic government to protect the citizen’s rights but
sometimes elected governments may not protect 3 or may even attack the rights of their own
citizens. That is why some rights need to be placed higher than the government, so that the
government cannot violate these.
4. Define the rule of law. Do you think the rule of law prevails in India?
Answer:
It means that the laws apply in the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. Yes,
the rule of law prevails in India. All are equal in the eyes of law.
5. Mention any one exception to the Right to Equality as a Fundamental Right. Give reasons
also.
Answer:
The State may make any special provision for women and children.
It is necessary to give special treatment to some weaker sections of the society in order to
ensure equal opportunity.
6. Mention any two freedoms provided under Right to Freedom.
Answer:

 Freedom of speech and expression.

 Assembly in a peaceful manner.
7. What is a secular state? [CBSE2014]
Answer:
A secular state is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion.
8. What is Public Interest Litigation?[CBSE 2015]
Answer:
Under the PIL, any citizen or group of citizens can approach the Supreme Court or a High
Court for the protection of public interest against a particular law or action of the
government. One can write to the judges even on a postcard. The court will take up the
matter if the judges find it in public interest.
9. What are Human Rights?
Answer:
Human Rights are those rights, which are inherent in our nature. Without these rights, we
cannot live as human beings. Human rights allow us to fully develop and use our human
qualities, intelligence, talents and conscience. They allow us to satisfy our spiritual and other
needs.
10. Mention any other two rights of the Indian citizens except the Fundamental Rights.
Answer:

 Right to freedom of press.

 Right to information.
11. Mention any two rights which the Constitution of South Africa guarantees to its citizens.
Answer:

 Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched,their phones cannot
be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
 Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
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12. Mention any two exceptions to the Right to Equality.
Answer:

 The State may make any special provision for women and children.
 The State may reserve some posts for members of backward class.
13. Mention any two limitations of freedom of speech and expression.
Answer:

 No one can use this freedom to instigate violence against others.

 No one can use it to incite people to rebel against government.
14. Mention the three evils which have been declared illegal under Right Against Exploitation.
Answer:

 Traffic in human beings.

 Forced labour or begar in any form.
 Child labour.
15. ‘India is a secular state’. Justify by giving examples.
Answer:

 People of India are free to follow any religion.

 India doesn’t have any official religion.
 Every religious group or sect is free to manage its religious affairs.
16. What are rights?

Answer: Rights are reasonable claims of person recognised by society and sanctioned by law.

17. Which Fundamental Right ensures the ban on bonded labour?

Answer: The Fundamental Right, which ensures the ban on bonded labour is ‘Right against
exploitation’.

18. What makes any political system democratic?

Answer: The availability of different Civil Rights, Political Rights and Economic Rights makes
any political system democratic.

19. If our Fundamental Rights are violated, where can we seek the remedy?

Answer: If our Fundamental Rights are violated, we seek remedy to the Supreme Court or
High Court.

20. Under which Article of the Constitution, ‘abolition of un touch ability’ lies in?

Answer: Abolition of un touch ability’ lies in Article

5 17, of Indian Constitution.
21. How many Fundamental Rights does the Indian Constitution provide?

Answer: Indian Constitution provides six Fundamental Rights.

22. What is meant by ‘Begar’?

Answer: ‘Begar’ is a practice where the worker is forced to render service to the ‘master’ free
of charge or at a nominal remuneration.

23. What is the meaning of ‘traffic in human beings’ as described in Indian Constitution?

Answer: In Indian Constitution, traffic means selling and buying of human beings, usually
women, for immoral purposes.

24. What is inspiration behind the Directive Principles of State Policy?

Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy have been inspired by the Directive Principles
given in the Constitution of Ireland and also by the principles of Gandhism.

25. What is a secular state?

Answer: In a secular state, no religion can get any privilege or favour and there is no official
religion.

26. In the Indian Constitution, the Right to Equality is granted by five articles. Which are these
articles?

Answer: The Right to Equality is granted by Articles 14 to 18.

27. Name any two political rights.

Answer: Two political rights are Right to Vote and Right to Fight Election.

28. Give any two features of Fundamental Rights.

Answer: Two important features of Fundamental Rights are that these are limited and these
can be suspended during emergency.

29. What is Amnesty International?

Answer: It is an international human rights organisation which helps the people who suffer
due to violation of human rights.

30. How are rulers of Saudi Arabia elected?

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Answer: The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people have no role in electing or
changing their rulers.

31. How do citizens exercise their rights in Saudi Arabia?

Answer: Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organisation. There is no
freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim.

32. What are rights?

Answer: Rights are claims of a person over other follow being over the society and over the
government.

33. How can we claim our right?

Answer: A right is possible when we make a claim that is equally possible for others. We
cannot have a right that harms or hurts others.

34. What are the three qualities of rights?

Answer: (i) They are reasonable claims of persons.

(ii) They are recognised by society.
(iii) They are sanctioned by law.

35. What are Fundamental Rights?

Answer: Some rights which are fundamental to our life are given a special status. They are
called Fundamental Rights.

36. Name the six Fundamental Rights provided by the Indian Constitution to Indian citizens.

Answer: (1) Right to Equality (2) Right to freedom of religion. (3) Right to freedom (4) Cultural
& Educational rights. (5) Right against exploitation. (6) Right to constitutional remedies.

37. How is Rule of Law considered the foundation of any democracy?

Answer: It means that no person is above the law. These cannot be any distinction between a
political leaders, government official and an ordinary citizen.

38. What does ‘un touch ability’ mean?

Answer: Untouchability does not only mean refusal to touch people belonging to certain
castes. It refers to any belief of social practice which looks down upon people on account of
their birth with certain caste labels.
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39. What does ‘Freedom’ mean?

Answer: Freedom means absence of constraints. In practical life it means absence of

interference in our affairs by others be it other individuals or the government.

40. What is meant by ‘traffic in human beings’?

Answer: Traffic here means selling and buying of human being, usually women for immoral
purposes.

IV. Short answer type question:-

1. Write any four features of the Right to Equality as a Fundamental Right.

Answer:

 According to this law, the government shall not deny to any person in India equality
before the law or the equal protection of the laws.
 The government shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of religion,
caste, ethnicity, sex or place of birth.
 All citizens shall have equality of opportunity in matters relating to any position in the
government.
 The principle of non-discrimination extends to social life as well.
2. Write a short note on the following fundamental rights:
(а) Right to Freedom of Religion.
(b) Cultural and Educational Rights.
Answer:
(a) Right to Freedom of Religion: Right to freedom of religion provides religious freedom to
all the citizens of India. All religions are equal before the state and no religion will be given
preference over the other. Citizens are free to practise their respective religions. Foremost
objective of this right is to sustain the principle of secularism in the country. No state-run
institution can give religious education. Religious communities can set up charitable
institutions of their own.

(b) Cultural and Educational Rights: India is multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural,
each having its own identity and characteristics. To preserve these diversities, it is natural to
grant the following Cultural and Educational Rights to the minorities and other communities.

 Right to Conserve the Language, Script and Culture Under this Right minorities have the
right to conserve their distinct language, script or culture and to join state-owned or
state-aided institutions without discriminations.
 Right to Establish Educational Institutions: Under this each minority group has a right to
establish and administer educational institutions of its choice. The State shall not
discriminate between minorities, while granting aid to their educational institutions.
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3. “Right to Constitutional Remedies is a very special right”. What is so special about this
right?
Or
Dr Ambedkar called the Right to Constitutional Remedies, “the heart and soul of our
constitution”. Give reason.
Answer:

 It is through this Right that all other Fundamental Rights are safeguarded and arbitrary
action of the state is checked.
 Under this Right, a citizen is entitled to move the Supreme Court or any High Court or
any other courts so authorised, if his/ her Fundamental Right (or Rights) is encroached
upon, abridged or snatched away by the State, an individual or a body of persons. The
courts are empowered to issue orders, directions and writs to the concerned to protect
the rights of the complainant.
4. Mention three major Constitutional provisions for the protection of women and children in
India.
Or
Write three Constitutional provisions for the protection of women and children in India.
[CBSE March 2011]
Answer:

 The Right to Equality: Under this the State can make special provisions for women and
children.
 Right Against Exploitation: Under this traffic in human beings, especially women and
children, shall be an offence punishable in accordance with the law.
 Right Against Exploita-tion: Under this no child below the age of 14 years shall be
employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous
employment.
5. Why are rights necessary for the very sustenance of a democracy?

Answer: In a democracy every citizen has to have the right to vote and the right to be elected
to government. For democratic elections to take place it is necessary that citizens should
have the right to express their opinion, form political parties and take part in political
activities.

6. In what situation should a government project the citizen’s rights?

Answer: Things may go wrong when some citizens may wish to take away the rights of
others. This usually happens when those in majority want to dominate those in minority. The
government should protect the citizen’s rights in such a situation.

7. What does ‘Rule of law’ mean?

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Answer: The constitution says that the government shall not deny to any person in India
equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. It means that the laws apply in
the same manner to all, regardless of a person’s status. This is called the ‘Rule of Law’.

8. Is it true that every citizen from the Prime Minister to a small farmer, is subjected to the
same laws?

Answer: A few years ago a Prime Minister of the country faced a court case on charges of
cheating. The court finally declared that he was not guilty. But as long as the case continued,
he had to go to the court give evidences and file papers, just like any other citizen.

9. How is right to equality exercised?

Answer: The government shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of religion,
caste, ethnicity, sex or place of birth. Every citizen shall have access to public places like
shops, restaurants, hotels and cinema halls. All citizens have equality in the matters relating
to employment also.

10. What is meant by ‘freedom of speech and expression’?

Answer: Our ideas and personality develop only when we are able to freely communicate
with others. Even if a hundred people think in one way, we should have the freedom to think
differently and express our views accordingly. Government in a democracy should give this
freedom to its citizens.

11. How do citizens of India exercise freedom to travel to any part of the country?

Answer: Citizens of India enjoy single citizenship and are free to reside and settle in any part
of the territory of India. This right allows lakhs of citizens to migrate from villages to towns
and from poorer regions of the country to prosperous regions and big cities.

12. What is ‘Begar’?

Answer:‘Begar’ is a practice where the worker is forced to render service to the ‘master’ free
of charge or at a nominal remuneration. When this practice takes place on a lifelong basis, it
is called the practice of bonded labour.

13. In what way is child labour prohibited by the Indian constitution?

Answer: The constitution prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child below the age of
fourteen to work in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous work, such as railways and
posts.

14. What is ‘Secularism’?

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Answer: Secularism is based on the idea that the state is concerned only with relations
among human beings, and not with the relation between human beings and the God. Indian
Secularism practises an attitude of a principled and equal distance from all religions.

15. What is a ‘Secular State’?

Answer: A Secular state is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion. The
state has to be neutral and impartial in dealing with all religions.

16. Why do we need Cultural and Educational rights?

Answer: It is language, culture and religion of minorities that needs special protection.
Otherwise they may get neglected or undermined under the impact of the language, religion
and culture of the majority. That is why, the constitution specifies the cultural and
educational rights of the minorities.

17. What does Right to Constitutional Remedies imply?

Answer: It is possible that sometimes our rights may be violated by fellow citizens, private
bodies or by the government. When any of our rights are violated we can seek remedy
through courts. If it is Fundamental Right we can directly approach the supreme court or the
High court of a state.

18. What is PIL?

Answer: PIL is called as Public Interest litigation. Under PIL any citizen or group of citizens can
approach the Supreme Court or a High Court for the protection of public interest against a
particular law or action of the government.

19. What does ‘Right to Education’ mean?

Answer: Now school education has become a right for Indian citizens. The governments are
responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14
years under this right.

20. What is RTI?

Answer: RTI is Right to Information. Parliament has enacted a law giving the right to
information to the citizens. This Act was made under the Fundamental Right to freedom of
thought and expression. We have a right to seek information from government offices.

21. What are Human Rights?

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Answer: Human Rights are universal moral claims that may or may not have been recognised
by law. But then rights give you a right to be treated as equal by law. Every human being who
is born anywhere has the right to live and enjoy his life and should not be tortured by any
means.

22. How were prisoners tortured by the US army in Guantanamo Bay prison?

Answer: (i) The prisoners were being tortured in ways that violated the US laws.
(ii) They were being denied the treatment that even prisoners of war must get as per the
international treaties.
(iii) Prisoners were not released even after they were officially declared ‘not guilty’.

23. Which three qualities are required for calling any claim, a right?

Answer:(i) Rights are reasonable claims of persons.

(ii) Rights are recognised by the society.
(iii) Rights are sanctioned by law.

24. Can an Indian citizen enjoy the freedom to travel in any part of the country?

Answer: (i) Citizens are free to reside and settle in any part of India.
(ii) This right allows lakhs of people to migrate from villages to towns and from poorer
regions of the country to prosperous regions and big cities.
(iii) For example, a person who belongs to Assam wants to start a business in Hyderabad. He
may not have any connections with that place or people there, he may have not seen it ever.
Yet as a citizen of India, he has the right to set up base there.

25. What procedure should a citizen follow to get proper legal justification, if he or she is
arrested?

Answer: (i) A person who is arrested and detained in custody will have to be informed of the
reasons for such arrest and detention.
(ii) A person who is arrested and detained shall be produced before the nearest magistrate
within a period of 24 hours of arrest.
(iii) Such a person has the right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defence.

26. How does a person exercise his right to freedom of religion?

Answer: (i) Every person has a right to profess, practise and propagate the religion he or she
believes in.
(ii) Every religious group or sect is free to manage its religious affairs.
(iii) A right to propagate one’s religion, however, does not mean that a person has the right
to compel another person to convert into his religion by means of force, fraud, inducement
or allurement.
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V. Long answer type question:-

1. ‘The Right to Freedom is actually a cluster of several rights.’ Discuss.[CBSE 2015]

Answer:

 Freedom to live in any part of India: All citizens are free to live in any part of India but
State can put restrictions keeping in mind the welfare of local people.
Freedom to practice any profession or occupation: All citizens have the right to practice
any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
 Right to Free Movement: Every citizen of India has been granted freedom to move
throughout the Indian territory.
 Freedom to Assemble Peace¬fully: Indian citizens have been given the right to assemble
without arms.
 Freedom of Speech and Expression: Democracy is a government by citizens. Freedom of
speech and expression works as a barometer of public opinion.
 Right to Form Associations or Unions: The Constitution guarantees the right to form
associations and unions to every citizen of India.
2. What was the Amnesty International’s report regarding the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay?
State the condition of prisoners according to the report of Amnesty International in
Guantanamo Bay.[CBSE March 2013]
Answer:
Amensty International which is an international human rights organisation, collected
information in Guantanamo Bay and reported:

 Families of prisoners, media or even UN representatives were not allowed to meet

these prisoners. The US army arrested them, interrogated them and decided whether to
keep them there or not.
 There was no trial before any magistrate in the US. Nor could these prisoners approach
courts in their own country.
 The prisoners were being tortured in ways that violated United States Laws.
 They were being denied the treatment that even prisoners of war must get as per
international treaties.
 Prisoners were not released even after they were officially declared not guilty.
3. “Saudi Arabia is not a democratic country”. Justify. Mention any two rights which are
enjoyed by the Indian citizens but not by citizens of Saudi Arabia.
Or
Compare the situation of India and Saudi Arabia in terms of right to freedom in both the
countries.
Answer:

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  The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people: have no role in electing or
changing
their rulers.
 The king selects the legislature as well as the executive. He appoints the judges and can
change any of their decisions.
 Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organisations.
Rights enjoyed by Indians but not by Saudi Arabians-

 There is no freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim. Non-Muslim

residents can follow their religion in private, but not in public.
 Women are subjected to many public restrictions. The testimony of one man is
considered equal to that of two women.
4. State any three rights guaranteed by the Constitution of South Africa.[CBSE 2014 March]
Answer:

 Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones cannot
be tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
 Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well being.
 Right to have access to adequate housing.
5. Which fundamental right is being violated under the following circumstances.
(a) A student belonging to SC category is not being allowed to use a public park.
(b) Citizens are not being allowed to hold a meeting.
(c) A women was sold to a rich landlord.
(d) You are being denied admission to a government college on the basis of your religion.
Answer:
(a) Right to Equality.
(b) Right to Freedom.
(c) Right against Exploitation
(d) Cultural and Educational Right
6. Why do we need rights in a democracy? [CBSE March 2011,13,15]
Answer:

 Fundamental Rights provide the conditions which are essential for the development of
the inherent qualities in man and to secure his all round growth.
 These are necessary to preserve human dignity and promote social progress in an
atmosphere of freedom.
 These provide civil liberties, without which democracy cannot be even conceived.
 These are a significant check on the arbitrary use of power by the government.
 Rights protect minorities from the oppression of majority.
7. Explain the Right against Exploitation.[CBSE March 2011,12,15] Or
Mention the provisions of Fundamental Right against exploitation. [CBSE March 2011 ]
Answer:

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  Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings and Forced Labour: Under this traffic in human
beings and “begar” or any other form of forced labour is prohibited. This means that
sale and purchase of women, men and children and making a person work against their
will without payment is banned.
 Prohibition of Employ-ment of Children in Factories: No child below the age of 14 years
shall be employed in a factory or mine and in other hazardous work. Thus child labour is
banned, because this is considered as an exploitation, and as such it is illegal.
8. Mention any three rights of a detained person. [CBSE March 2011 ]
Answer:

 To be informed of the reason of arrest and detention.

 To be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.
 Right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defence.
9. Mention the restrictions that can be imposed on various forms of freedoms granted by the
Constitution. [CBSE March 2011 ]
Answer:

 Freedom of speech and expression — reasonable restrictions can be imposed on this

freedom.
 Restriction on freedom to hold meetings, processions, rallies and demonstrations and
reasonable restriction in the interest of public order.
 Restrictions on freedom to form associations and unions in the interest of public order,
morality of sovereignty or integrity of India.

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