Congratulation Why and How
Congratulation Why and How
Congratulation Why and How
Political Science
Chapter 1
Constitution: Why and How?
Question 2. Which of the following is a good reason to conclude that the authority of the
constitution is higher than that of the parliament?
(а) The constitution was framed before the parliament came into being.
(b) The constitution makers were more eminent leaders than the members of the parliament.
(c) The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers.
(d) The constitution cannot be amended by the parliament.
Answer:
(c) The constitution specifies how parliament is to be formed and what are its powers.
Question 3. State whether the following statements about a constitution are True or False:
(a) Constitutions are written documents about formation and power of the government.
(b) Constitutions exist and are required only in democratic countries.
(c) Constitution is a legal document that does not deal with ideals and values.
(d) A constitution gives its citizens a new identity.
Answer:
(a) False
(b) False
(c) False
(d) True
Question 4. State whether the following inferences about the making of the Indian Constitution
are Correct or Incorrect. Give reasons to support your answer.
(a) The Constituent Assembly did not represent the Indian people since it was not elected by all
citizens.
(b) Constitution making did not involve any major decision since there was a general consensus
among the leaders at that time about its basic framework.
(c) There was little originality in the Constitution, for much of it was borrowed from other
countries.
Answer:
(a) It is incorrect to say that Constituent Assembly did not represent Indian people
because:
• Although the members of Constituent Assembly were not elected by Universal suffrage,
but there was a serious attempt to make the Assembly a representative body.
• The Constituent Assembly represented the members of all religions, social and economic
groups to accommodate all shades of opinion within it.
• The Assembly had 26 members even from scheduled castes.
• Objective the Resolution containing principles was moved by Nehru in 1946 brought by
the nationalist movement.
• Constituent Assembly could not have functioned without any background consensus on
main principles.
• Our constitution does not have only rules and procedures but a moral commitment also to
establish a government to fulfill the promises made to peoples.
Question 5. Give two examples each to support the following conclusions about the Indian
Constitution:
(a) The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded people’s respect.
(b) The Constitution has distributed power in such a way as to make it difficult to
subvert it.
(c) The Constitution is the locus of people’s hopes and aspirations.
Answer:
(a) The following two factors are responsible:
• The members of Constituent Assembly were elected by indirect election by the members
of Provincial Legislative Assemblies to be established in 1935. Assembly reflected each of
the communities, provinces, princely states through an appropriate formula. Even 28
members belonged to scheduled castes.
• The members of Constituent Assembly went through long debates and discussions for 166
days spread over two years eleven months.
(b) The following two factors can be summed up for the same:
• Our Constitution has made institutional arrangements of government on the basis of check
and balance approach. If one of the institutions goes beyond its limitations, the other
checks it.
• The procedure for amendments is well elaborated for different articles of the Constitution.
(c) The following factors are responsible for the same because:
• The Constitution has provided some Fundamental Rights along with protected provisions,
judiciary has powers to protect them.
• The Constitution of India has incorporated some ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’
which are not justiciable but a moral duty of government. The governments also given
some effects to these in the form of fixed minimum wages, formation of Panchayati Raj
Institutions, employment guarantee scheme and mid-day meal schemes, etc. to be the
hopes and aspirations of the people.
Question 6. Why is it necessary for a country to have a clear demarcation of powers and
responsibilities in the constitution? What would happen in the absence of such a demarcation?
Answer:
It is necessary for a country to have a clear demarcation of powers and responsibilities
in the constitution because:
• The federal set up would get strained and there would be crisis in center as well as states.
• There would be a problem to the citizens and laws will be proved to be unjust and unfair.
Question 7. Why is it necessary for a constitution to place limitations on the rulers? Can there be
a constitution that gives no power at all to the citizens?
Answer:
It is necessary for a constitution to place limitations on the rulers:
• These units are fundamental in the sense that the rulers may not trespass them.
• Citizens have been specified certain fundamental rights in Constitution to limit powers of
rulers.
• Citizens have been granted some basic rights of liberties also, ibebright to freedom of
speech and expressions, freedom to form trade union and associations, etc. which cannot
be checked by the government.
• Only during the national emergency or in national interest, these rights may be withdrawn
during some specific periods.
• It is necessary for a constitution to place limitations on the rulers otherwise they may turn
to be a dictator and may overlook the people’s interest constitution guards and controls the
rulers.
Question 8. The Japanese Constitution was made when the US occupation army was still in
control of Japan after its defeat in the Second World War. The Japanese constitution could not
have had any provision that the US government did not like. Do you see any problem in this way
of making the constitution? In which way was the Indian experience different from this?
Answer:
The Japanese Constitution could not have had any provision that the US government did not like,
after the defeat of Japan in Second World War (1939-1945), due to fact that Constitution seeks to
perform the functions and look after the interest of the rulers or authorities in the country who
has occupied it. But, in a democratic country, a constitution expresses the fundamental identity
of people as in India.
Indian experience was different from the experience of Japan in the following manner:
• The Indian Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly which was elected to
aspire India to be a society free of any sort of discrimination among people.
• The framers of Indian Constitution worked for leading a life of social dignity and social
respect along with minimum material well-being and education to an individual.
• Indian Constitution enabled the government to fulfill the aspirations of society, to make it
more better.
• Indian Constitution has inculcated the federal spirit with the distribution of powers
between the different levels of government as well as bicameral legislatures and
independent judiciary have also been set up.
• The Constituent Assembly framed Constitution after a long debates and discussions to
provide political, social and legal equalities to the people.
Question 9. Raj at asked his teacher this question: “The constitution is a fifty year old and
therefore outdated book. No one took my consent for implementing it. It is written in such tough
language that I cannot understand it. Tell me why should I obey this document?” If you were the
teacher, how would you answer Rajat?
Answer:
Had I been the teacher I would answer Rajat:
• Indian Constitution is a blend of flexibility and rigidity. Hence, despite being fifty years
old, it is not outdated as it has been amended a number of times whenever required to be
modified from time to time.
• The Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of an elected representatives
from every section of society.
• Though Constituent Assembly was dominated by Congress which occupied 82% of the
seats in Assembly, but it has representation from every class, religion and communities,
regions to accommodate all shades of opinion within it.
• Though it is not possible to consult each and every individual in framing of Constitution,
hence, the provisions were made to elect representatives from every section to reflect the
people from all these.
Question 10. In a discussion on the experience of the working of our Constitution, three speakers
took three different positions:
(a) Harbans: The Indian Constitution has succeeded in giving us a framework of democratic
government.
(b) Neha: The Constitution made solemn promises of ensuring liberty, equality and fraternity.
Since this has not happened, the Constitution has failed.
(c) Nazima: The Constitution has not failed us. We have failed the Constitution.
Do you agree with any of these positions? If yes, why? If not, what is your own position?
Answer:
In the above mentioned conversation of three people focused whether the working of our
Constitution is fruitful or not:
(a)
• Indian Constitution is a document consisting the supreme and fundamental laws of country
about powers, functions and structures of the government.
• Constitution also shows that how the organs of government are interrelated with each other
as well as the relationship between the government and its citizens.
• In the Preamble of Constitution, India has been declared A Sovereign, Socialist, Secular,
Democratic Republic to provide social, economic and political justice to all the citizens
along with introduction of universal adult franchise also. But in practice Indian democracy
is suffering from various social and economic evils which have proved a curse.
(b)
Hence, we agree with the position of Neha that the goals which were supposed to be achieved
through Constitution, has not still been achieved due to above mentioned facts, so we can say
that the Constitution has failed to fulfill the needs of the individuals.
(c)
• We have failed the Constitution because we have not applied our sincere efforts towards
citizens’ welfare properly.
• Corruption has taken place in public and private sector both, this is not only due to
representatives but the citizens are not vigilant and dutiful also.
• The citizens are also supposed to be active in public affairs and to support other citizens in
the exercise of the rights and discharge of obligations.
• The citizens should get themselves educated to curb social and economic inequality to
implement the Constitution. Hence, it can be concluded that Constitution has not failed us
but we have failed the Constitution due to our negligence towards our rights and duties
Question 3. What is the nature of India as per the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
India is a Sovereign, Secular, Socialist, Democratic and Republic state.
Question 4. Mention the function of Constitution which set some limits on our government but
on the other hand it favors the citizens.
Answer:
The Constitution sets some limits on what a government can impose on its citizens. These limits
are fundamental in the sense that government may never trespass them.
Question 5. What is the need and importance of a Constitution?
Answer:
• Democratic denotes to choose democracy as a way of life and run the administration
through democratic institutions like legislatures, executive, free and fair judiciary, etc.
• ‘Democratic’ word in Preamble refers to social and economic democracy except political
democracy.
• Political Justice: Political justice refers to equal political rights to be enjoyed by all the
citizens of country where every citizen has right to elect the representatives as well as the
right to be elected as representatives.
• Economic Justice: It refers to every citizen to get the equal opportunities to earn one’s
livelihood as well as equal payment for equal work.
• The word ‘Secular’ was put in the Preamble to Constitution through the 42nd Amendment.
• ‘Secular’ refers that the state has no religion of its own but shows due respect to all
religions.
• The state observes complete neutrality in religious matters.
• The 45th Amendment carries equal respect and recognition to all religions.
• No discrimination in India has ever been made against any individual belonging to
different communities, religions, castes, etc.
Question 11. What do you understand by the terms liberty, equality and fraternity in the
Preamble to Constitution?
Answer:
Liberty: It is stated in the Preamble as a goal that the people should have liberty of thought,
expression, belief and faith, jfeftthe state should remove the obstacles for the individuals to enjoy
freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
Equality: The Preamble to the Constitution always emphasizes to remove any sort of
discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, colour, caste, etc. by making the provisions:
Fraternity: Fraternity refers to brotherhood means equality of all citizens and their integrity.
Everybody in society should be provided with the basic right to food, housing and clothing
without any discrimination. Every citizen of the state is to be regarded as the part of the decision-
making process.
Question 12.
What is the main difference between the position of the head of state in India and that of the
USA?
Or
How can you justify that India is a Republic?
Answer:
India is a Republic because the head of the state is the President who is elected by the Electoral
College of the Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly for a fixed period of five years.
The difference between the position of the President of India and the USA is that in the USA, the
President is the head of the presidential form of democratic government (real head of executive)
whereas in India, President is the head of the parliamentary government, i.e. Prime Minister and
his Cabinet is real executive and the President is the nominal head of the state.
Question 13. What is the Constitution? How can we say that the Constitution is a living
document?
Answer:
A Constitution is a written set of rules and regulations to run the government of a country. It also
defines the positions of three organs of the Government, i.e. the executive, the legislature and the
judiciary along with maintaining relations between the Government and the citizens.
A Constitution is a living document because:
• The ultimate source of political and constitutional authority in India is vested with the
people.
• Elections are held on regular intervals on the basis of adult franchise.
• Equality is the basic principle of a democratic form of government.
• Citizens of India enjoy the justifiable fundamental rights.
• Rule of Law is an essential feature of Indian Democratic State.
India as a Republic:
Question 16. Indian Constitution contains some provisions for social justice. Examine.
Answer:
In India, social justice is lacking due to the fact that persons who enjoy greater wealth and
property, have power and others are deprived.
Provisions made in Indian Constitution to end social injustice in India:
• The Indian Constitution has declared the practice of untouchability, a punishable offence.
• The state will provide equal opportunities to all citizens of India.
• No one can be discriminated from using public facilities on the ground of caste, religion,
language, etc.
• India works on welfare state’s philosophy to the welfare of people and upliftment of
weaker sections.
• Constitution has given special privileges to SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s and even to women and
minorities.
• Framers of the Constitution expressed their vision for a new society and polity.
• Despite the differences of opinion, the framers reached a consensus to be reflected in the
Constitution.
• Indian Constitution was attempted to reach a goal of building a new social order on the
basis of democracy, equality, and justice.
• It also projected fundamental rights and civil liberties of Indian citizens alongwith
fundamental duties and directive principles of state policy.
• Indian Constitution is based on a liberal-welfare-democratic society to be reflected in the
Preamble.
• Thus the philosophy of the Constitution finds its expression in the Preamble of the Indian
Constitution.
Passage 1.
Read the passage (NCERT Textbook, page 18) given below carefully and answer the questions
that follow:
“… I have realised as nobody else could have, with what zeal and devotion the members of the
Drafting Committee and especially its Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar in spite of his indifferent health,
have worked. We could never make a decision which was or could be ever so right as when we
put him on the Drafting Committee and made him its Chairman. He has^not only justified his
selection but has added lustre to the work which he has done. In. this ‘ connection, it would be
invidious to make any distinction as among the other members of the Committee. I know they
have all worked with the same zeal and devotion as its Chairman, and they deserve the thanks of
the country.”
Questions:
1. Who was the Chairman of Drafting Committee?
2. What made the Constituent Assembly of India unique?
3. How long the Constitution of India took in framing?
4. Who was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly?
Answers:
1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
2. Constituent Assembly of India included the members from all shades of opinion who did not
simply advance their interest but gave principled reasons to other members.
Passage 2.
Read the passage (NCERT Textbook, page 21) given below carefully and answer the questions
that follow:
“One likes to ask whether there can be anything new in a Constitution framed at this hour in the
history of the world… The only new things, if there can be any, in a Constitution framed so late
in the day are the variations made to remove the faults and to accommodate it to the needs of the
country.”
Questions:
1. Whose words have been referred to here?
2. What was the main new thing according to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the process of framing
the Indian Constitution?
Answers:
1. Here, the words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have been referred to.
2. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the only new thing in the new Constitution framed so late in
the day are the variations made to remove the failures and accommodate it to the needs of India.
Long Answer Type Questions
• Indian Constitution is written set of rules and regulations and it is the lengthiest
Constitution in the world containing 395 articles, 12 schedules and a book of more than
250 pages.
• Indian Constitution has provided to Indian citizens fundamental rights and to establish a
welfare state, directive principles of state policy have also been generated.
• By the 42nd Amendment in 1976, some (ten) fundamental duties have also been added up
in the Constitution.
• Indian Constitution is federal in structure but unitary in spirit.
• The Indian Constitution is a blend of flexibility and rigidity, i.e. some of the Articles in
Constitution can be amended by simple-majority but some require 2/3 majority of the
parliament and voting in each house as well as to be ratified by at least half of the state
legislatures.
Question 4.
Mention the sources of the Indian Constitution along with the feature taken from these sources.
Answer:
The Government of India Act, 1935:
About two-thirds of the Indian Constitution is derived from the Government of India Act, 1935
• Provincial autonomy
• Parliamentary system
• Federal count
• Federal system
British Constitution:
Irish Constitution:
French Constitution:
• Principles of liberty
• Principles of equality and fraternity
Canadian Constitution:
German Constitution:
• Emergency provisions
• Indian President’s powers to impose external or internal emergencies.
Picture-Based Questions
1. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 5) given below and answer the questions that
follow:
Question:
Does this always happen in any constitution-making?
Answer:
No, this does not happen in all Constitution-making if the representatives in Constituent
Assembly are elected either directly or indirectly from all sections of society, the attempt of
framing the Constitution would be successful.
2. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 7) given below and answer the questions that
follow:
Questions:
(i) Can you identify what these different groups stand for?
(ii) Who do you think prevailed in this balancing act?
Answers:
(i) The cartoon refers to different religions, cultures, castes and regions having different
preferences, i.e. liberal nationalists and radical nationalists.
(ii) Both the songs ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ were accepted as national heritage.
The first is our national anthem and the second is our national song. All the Indians show respect
and sing both the songs. Despite so many diversities of languages customs, cultures, festivals the
whole country has the same respect for national song and the tricolour. They balance the
diversity of India.
3. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 9) given below and answer the questions that
follow:
Questions:
(i)What do these different people stand for?
(ii) Compare the conflict depicted here with that depicted in earlier cartoons for the European
Union and India.
Answers:
(i) The cartoon refers to three different ethnic groups in Iraq, i.e. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurdis. The
above groups stand for their own philosophies, ideologies and interests.
(ii) The Iraqi people expect to frame a new Constitution and to be accepted by all ethnic groups
of Iraq. In the European Union, the attempt of the people failed but in India, the same attempt got
success.
4. Read the cartoon (NCERT Textbook, page 14) given below and answer the questions that
follow:
Questions:
(i) Why does the cartoonist describe the new Iraqi Constitution as the castle of cards?
(ii) Would this description apply to the Indian Constitution?
Answers:
(i) Because it is being prepared by pro-US. The people as well as the Constituent
Assembly of Iraq is not representing all ethnic groups of the country. Hence, the Constitution is
imposed and will be scattered as a castle of cards.
(ii) This description does not apply to the Indian Constitution because:
• Indian Constitution is not imposed on Indians, but it was framed from among different
shades of opinion after a long discussions and debates.
• It was adopted by people willfully.
• It is a living document to be amended from time to time at par aspirations of people.