Revision Notes for Class 9 Social Science

Civics Chapter 5 – Democratic Rights

Life Without Rights:

Let’s consider three examples that will help you understand what it’s like to live without rights.

1. Prison in Guantanamo Bay:

• Around 600 people were secretly taken by US forces to Guantanamo Bay, near Cuba,

Accused of being enemies linked to the 9/11 attacks. Their home governments were

Often not informed.

• Families learned about their imprisonment through the media as visits were not

Allowed. Amnesty International reported they were tortured in ways violating US laws,

Without access to fair trials or basic rights. Despite international calls for closure, the

US government refused.

2. Citizens’ Rights in Saudi Arabia:

Consider Saudi Arabia as an example where citizens’ rights are heavily restricted. The country

Is ruled by a hereditary king without elections. He controls the government, appoints judges,

And limits political parties. The media cannot criticize the king, and there’s no religious

Freedom; everyone must be Muslim. Women face many public restrictions, and their legal

Rights are limited compared to men. This situation isn’t unique to Saudi Arabia; similar

Conditions exist in other countries worldwide.

3. Ethnic massacre in Kosovo:

In Kosovo, in 1999, under Serbian leader Milosevic, ethnic Albanians faced severe persecution

Despite Serbia being a democratic nation. Many Albanians were targeted and killed by Serbian

Forces, with their homes burned down. This tragedy, condemned globally, led to international

Intervention and Milosevic’s prosecution for crimes against humanity.

Rights In A Democracy:

In a democracy, rights are the basic freedoms and protections that every citizen is entitled to.
These rights ensure fairness, equality, and freedom for all individuals within the society. They

Include things like the right to vote, freedom of speech, equality before the law, and the right

To a fair trial. These rights are essential because they empower citizens to participate in

Decision-making, express their opinions without fear, and receive fair treatment under the law.

Democracies uphold these rights to ensure that every person has a voice and can live with

Dignity and security.

What are rights?

Rights are claims individuals make over others, society, and government for a safe and happy

Life. They must be reasonable and not harm others. Social recognition and legal backing give

Rights real enforceability. Rights evolve with societal norms and can be protected through legal

Avenues when violated.

Why do we need rights in a democracy?

Rights are vital for democracy. They include the right to vote and stand for election, freedom

Of expression and political participation. Rights also protect minorities from majority

Oppression and ensure governments uphold citizen rights, even when governments may fail to

Do so. These fundamental rights are typically enshrined in constitutions to safeguard them

From governmental overreach.

Rights In The Indian Constitution:

In India, like in many other democracies, these rights are listed in the Constitution. Some rights

That are very important for our lives are called Fundamental Rights. We learned in Chapter 2

About the introduction to our Constitution. It talks about ensuring equality, freedom, and

Fairness for all citizens. Fundamental Rights make sure that this promise is kept. They are a

Crucial part of India’s Constitution, and there are six types of Fundamental Rights they are:

1. Right to Equality:

• The Constitution guarantees equality before the law, ensuring all individuals are treated

Equally regardless of their status.

• It upholds the rule of law, ensuring that no one, including political leaders, is exempt
From legal accountability.

• The Right to Equality prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or

Place of birth.

• It ensures equal access to public places and government facilities, aiming to eliminate

Discrimination based on social status or background.

2. Right to Freedom:

According to the Indian Constitution, every citizen has the right to:

• Freedom of speech and expression

• Assembly in a peaceful manner

• Form associations and unions

• Move freely throughout the country

• Reside in any part of the country, and

• Practice any profession, or carry on any occupation, trade or business.

3. Right against Exploitation:

• It means they shouldn’t be exploited.

• The Constitution specifically forbids three things:

• Trafficking of human beings, especially women, for immoral purpo• Forced labour, where workers
are made to work without proper pay, is known

As “begar.”

• Child labour prevents children under fourteen from working in dangerous jobs

Like factories and mines.

• These rules have led to laws that stop children from working in industries like making

Beedis, fireworks, matches, printing, and dyeing.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion:

• The right to freedom includes practising any religion freely.

• India is a secular state, ensuring impartiality towards all religions.

• People have the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion.
• Religious groups manage their affairs independently.

• Harmful practices and discrimination based on religion are prohibited.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights:

The Indian Constitution guarantees cultural and educational rights to minorities:

• Any group of citizens with a unique language or culture has the right to preserve it.

• Government-funded educational institutions cannot refuse admission to any citizen

Based on their religion or language.

• Minorities have the right to establish and manage educational institutions of their

Preference.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies:

• The Right to Constitutional Remedies enables citizens to go to court if their

Fundamental rights are denied.

• It ensures individuals have a legal way to seek justice for any violation of their rights.ses.

• This right guarantees that citizens can enforce their fundamental rights through judicial

Intervention.

• It plays a crucial role in upholding democracy by ensuring fairness and accountability

In governance.

How can we secure these rights:

The Right to Constitutional Remedies ensures that the other 5 Fundamental Rights are

Meaningful. When our rights are violated, we can go to court to seek a solution. That’s why Dr

Ambedkar called the Right to Constitutional Remedies the ‘heart and soul’ of our Constitution.

• Fundamental Rights are protected from actions by the Legislature, Executive, and other

Government authorities.

• No law or action can go against these Fundamental Rights.

• If any law or action by the Legislature or Executive restricts or removes any

Fundamental Right, it will not be valid.

Expanding Scope of Rights:

Broad spectrum of rights. Over time, the scope of these rights has grown, often through court

Rulings.

• Some rights, such as Freedom of the Press, Right to Information, and Right to

Education, stem from Fundamental Rights.

• Now, every Indian citizen has the right to free and compulsory education up to age 14,

Which the government must ensure.

• The Parliament has passed a law granting citizens the Right to Information.

Additionally, the Supreme Court has interpreted the right to life to include the right to

Food, expanding its meaning.