CIVICS : CH-2
[Link] IS A CONSTITUATION ?
ANS : A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country can
agree upon as the basis of the way in which they want the country to be governed.
[Link] IS RIGHT TO EQUALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIAN CONSTITUATION ?
ANS : Right to Equality: All persons are equal before the law. This means that all persons shall be
equally protected by the laws of the country. It also states that no citizen can be discriminated
against on the basis of their religion, caste or sex. Every person has access to all public places
including playgrounds, hotels, shops etc. The State cannot discriminate against anyone in matters of
employment. The practice of untouchability has also been abolished.
[Link] ARE THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE MINORITIES PROTECTED IN A DEMOCRATIC
SOCIETY ?
ANS : The Constitution, also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority. As Dr Ambedkar
has said about these Fundamental Rights, their object is two-fold. The first objective is that every
citizen must be in a position to claim those rights. And secondly, these rights must be binding upon
every authority that has got the power to make laws.
[Link] WHAT PURPOSE WAS THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY FORMED IN INDIA ?
ANS : These members of the Constituent Assembly had a huge task before them. The country was
made up of several different communities who spoke different languages, belonged to different
religions, and had distinct cultures. Also, when the Constitution was being written, India was going
through considerable turmoil. The partition of the country into India and Pakistan was imminent,
some of the Princely States remained undecided about their future, and the socio-economic
condition of the vast mass of people appeared dismal. All of these issues played on the minds of the
members of the Constituent Assembly as they drafted the Constitution. They rose to the occasion
and gave this country a visionary document that reflects a respect for maintaining diversity while
preserving national unity. The final document also reflects their concern for eradicating poverty
through socio-economic reforms as well as emphasising the crucial role the people can play in
choosing their representatives.
[Link] FEDERLISM.
ANS : This refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the country.
[Link] DOES THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS ENSURE ?
ANS : In order to prevent the misuse of power by any one branch of government, the Constitution
says that each of these organs should exercise different powers. Through this, each organ acts as a
check on the other organs of government and this ensures the balance of power between all three.
7. WHAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ?
ANS : The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution include:
1. Right to Equality: All persons are equal before the law. This means that all persons shall be equally
protected by the laws of the country. It also states that no citizen can be discriminated against on
the basis of their religion, caste or sex. Every person has access to all public places including
playgrounds, hotels, shops etc. The State cannot discriminate against anyone in matters of
employment. The practice of untouchability has also been abolished.
2. Right to Freedom: This includes the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to form
associations, the right to move freely and reside in any part of the country, and the right to practise
any profession, occupation or business.
3. Right against Exploitation: The Constitution prohibits human trafficking, forced labour, and
employment of children under 14 years of age.
4. Right to Freedom of Religion: Religious freedom is provided to all citizens. Every person has the
right to practise, profess and propagate the religion of their choice.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights: The Constitution states that all minorities, religious or linguistic,
can set up their own educational institutions in order to preserve and develop their own culture.
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies: This allows citizens to move the court if they believe that any of
their Fundamental Rights have been violated by the State.
[Link] DO YOU MEAN BY A SECULAR STATE ?
ANS : : A secular state is one in which the state does not officially promote any one religion as the
state religion.
[Link] IS UNIVERSAL ADULT FRANCHISE ?
ANS : the people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives. Also, every citizen of the
country, irrespective of his/her social background, can also contest in elections.
10. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
ANS : The Constitution serves several purposes. First, it lays out certain ideals that form the basis of
the kind of country that we as citizens aspire to live in. Or, put another way, a Constitution tells us
what the fundamental nature of our society is. A country is usually made up of different
communities of people who share certain beliefs but may not necessarily agree on all issues. A
Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country can agree upon
as the basis of the way in which they want the country to be governed.
