Class Notes

Class: VIII Topic: NOTES

CHAPTER-4
Subject: SOCIAL SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING LAWS

QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. Write in your own words what you understand by the term the ‘rule of law’.

ANS-I.The rule of the law means that all laws apply equally to all citizens of the country, and nobody
is
above the law.
II.Every citizen is equal before the law; irrespective of religion, caste, gender, economic status or
political power..

III.Even the President of India has to obey the rule of law

2. State two reasons why historians refute the claim that the British introduced the rule of law in
India.

ANS-I.The British laws were arbitrary in nature.

II.The Indian nationalists played a prominent role in development of the legal sphere in British India

3. Re-read the storyboard on how a new law on domestic violence got passed. Describe in your own
words the different ways in which women’s groups worked to make this happen.

 Some of the organizations started to raise the need for a new law on domestic violence.
 In 1999, Lawyers Collective, a group of lawyers, law students and activists took the initiative of
drafting the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill;
 The bill was introduced in Parliament in 2002.
 The Standing Committee submitted its recommendations to the Rajya Sabha; in 2002.
 The recommendations were also tabled in the Lok Sabha.
 Finally, the new bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2005.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

1.What are Unpopular and Controversial laws?

ANS- Laws which are passed by the Parliament by due procedure but are repressive and are
opposed by a large section of society are known as unpopular laws. Controversial laws are those
which favour one section of the society against the other.

2. Explain the Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005.

“ABSOLUTELY PREPARED AT HOME”

 • The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 was enacted to remove gender discriminatory
provisions in the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.
• The Act lays down a uniform and comprehensive system of inheritance and succession into one
Act.
• According to the Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005 sons, daughters and their mothers
can get an equal share of family property after the death of their father.

3. Why are laws required?

Ans- I.Prevent people from several unjust social practices.

II.Prohibit the practice of untouchability which was the cause of suffering for millions of
people.
III.Ensure equality among the citizens of India.
IV.Provide systems to regulate activities, to derive the maximum benefit from all types of
resources.
V.The parliament plays an important role in making laws. For this, it has to be sensitive to
the needs of the people.

4.What do you undertand by domestic Violence Act?

ANS- Domestic violence under the act includes actual abuse or the threat of abuse whether
physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic. ... The Act provides for the woman's right to reside
in the matrimonial or shared household, whether or not she has any title or rights in the household.

5.How is a new laws introduced in the Parliament?

ANS-I.Parliament of India consists of the President and two houses-Rajya Sabha and Lok sabha
II.A bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament.

III.A Bill introduced by minister is known as Government Bill and a Bill introduced by private member is known
as private member bill.
IV.The procedure for the passage of the Bills is similar in both the cases.
V.A Bill has to pass through three stages in each House of Parliament and receive presidential assent.
VI.The issue is resolved at a joint sitting of the two houses and finally act is passed.

“ABSOLUTELY PREPARED AT HOME”