6 CITIZENSHIP

All about this chapter

What is Citizenship?
Rights and Obligations of Citizenship
Equal Rights for All the Members of a Society
Citizen and the Nation-State
Criteria for Granting Citizenship
Global Citizenship
If one resides in a certain
country, he does not automatically become a citizen of
that country. A person of a
particular nationality may visit another country and
may temporarily or for a long time stay there. He shall have protection for his
person and property in the State where he resides. He shall also have to obey the
laws of the land. Yet, he shall remain a
the citizens of the country, where
foreigner or 'an alien'. The aliens are not
they are living. Many American Citizens are living
in India. Besides citizens and aliens, there
may be a third category of people living
in some countries. These
people are forced to live as refugees or illegal migrants.
They are called 'Stateless Persons'. They are not citizens of
any country. They have
only those rights which aliens have.

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP?
T.H. Marshall in his book
and equal membership of a
'Citizenship and Social Class', defined 'Citizenship' as "full
community". By 'community', he meant political
community', i.e. State. Citizenship denotes a legal status of an individual. It bestows
upon individuals "equal rights and duties, liberties and constraints, powers and
responsibilities." Citizenship is not a mere possession of certain rights, a citizen
also owes allegiance or duties towards the State.
We talk of ourselves Indians, British and Chinese because of the
as
Nationality' that we have and the official status, rights and duties thatparticular
we have
because of it.

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Full
and EqualMembership of a Community
rage "full and equal
The membership of community" denotes an ideal condition.
a

zenship is a principle of Equality.

itizer
Therefore, race, caste, sex, property
cational factors should not determine the
ational fae
rights which citizen has. The
a
or

euance
impo
of "full membership" may be gathercd from the destiny of those
who
uffered from deprivation of political and civil rights. South Africa, today a free
untry,
count
was once a racist
regime. Blacks and Indians
were not allowed to
live in
aaoareas occupied by ruling White minority (about 15 per cent of the population).
the
r'lo Tamils in Sri Lanka have been fighting for more power for over
The
many decades.
I+ shows that all people in many countries of the world had not been enjoying equal
rights and opportunities. The end of the racist regime in South Africa must rank as
one of the remarkable events of the 20th century.
one

Rights have been Achieved through Struggle: The three different kinds of
rights-civil, political and social-developed over the past two or three centuries.
Soon after the French Revolution in 1789 the French National Assembly issued the
famous Declaration of the Rights of Man. It proclaimed that "all men are born
equal and should have equal rights." In fact, each of the rights has been achíeved
only through struggle.
During the 17th and 18th centuries people in Europe had to wage a relentless
struggle against the tyranny of kings. In the 19th century these very European nations
took complete control of the countries of Asia and Africa in order to exploit their
resources. The worst kind of oppression prevailed in countries controlled by the
European powers. The demand for Independence in countries of Asia and Africa
was in fact "a demand for full and equal citizenship rights."
Within all such societies, the urge for freedom became the search for the conditions
under which individuals could have "equal rights and equal opportunities."

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP

and social. A citizen
T.H. Marshall enumerates three kinds of rights: civil, political
but also political rights, such as the right to vote and
possesses not only civil rights,
include the right to work and the right to live the
to stand for election. Social rights
to the standards prevailing in society.
life as that of a civilized person according

Civil Rights
the first to develop. We have already seen that the civil rights
The civil rights were
freedom of thought, speech and religion, the right to move
included the right to life,
settle in any part of the country.
freely and to reside and
Constitution of India guarantees "the
Article 19 of the
Freedom of Movement: of movement is considered
India. This freedom
settle" anywhere in
right to reside and
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 South Africa's Racist Regime
In South Africa the Blacks, Indians and Coloured persons (people of mixed race)
had to struggle for decades against the policy of racial segregation (apartheid).
Segregation had long been practised by White Governments in South Africa. Three.
quarters of the total population did not have the right to vote. Under Land Acts
nearly 80 percent of the land had been reserved for the Whites. There were segregated
townships, buses, schools and churches for the use of the Blacks. Their economy
was heavily dependent on Black labour. But it was the ruling White minority who
had a privileged position. The Blacks had an opportunity to choose their own
government only in April 1994.

essential for finding more job opportunities. It has been an assumption that large
towns offer a greater diversity of employment. This would, naturally, make large
towns and cities more attractive to migrating workers, especially from rural areas.
A small group of urban people has also been migrating to towns like Hyderabad
and Bengaluru ever since Information Technology developed. The construction of
hotels and malls (shopping complexes) in Mumbai and Delhi attracted workers to
these cities from all over the country.
Problems caused by Migration: People are motivated to move out of their homes
or states in search of better jobs. But what about the pressures on resources and
amenities of overcrowded towns and states? The local people may be opposed to
the presence of outsiders in such large numbers. They are often viewed as unwelcome
visitors by the local population. Fears are expressed about 'Sons of the Soil' losing
their jobs. Slogans such as 'Mumbai for Mumbaikars' expressed the feelings of those
local people who thought that "so many of their jobs were going to people who
had come from outside Mumbai."
In this connection we should not forget that migrants have made valuable
contribution to the economy of the regions where they settle down. They lend their
skills or unskilled labour to productive enterprises. They spend their earnings on
things which they need-food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, etc. This
again increases production and will be a great boost to the economy of that particular
region. It should be remembered that the right 'to move freely throughout the
territory of India' implies the right to reside and settle in any part of the counry
Freedom of Expression and Other Civil Rights:
Freedom of speech and expressio
is regarded essential for human progress and for discovery of the truth. The rigi
as

to assemble, which is a
part of the right of free speech, is also governed by
same
principle. Citizens have also the right to form associations or unions. i
may hold a public meeting to show support for a particular government policy
to express their anger and resentment against it. That is how the democracy functions

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olitical ldentity: Political Rights
litical rights
litical rights developed
deve next. In
England this process started from the first Reform
tActinin 1832 and was completed in 1928. It was late in
1944 that the voting
nted to women in France. In the United States the rights were
Bran

en in 1920. India proclaimed that she was a "Secular right to vote was granted to
Democratic
Or Constitution grants voting
right to every person who is a Citizen of Republic."
India and
ie not less than 18
years of age. Elections are an inseparable feature of
is through elections that authority or the
democracy. It
right of the rulers to govern the country is
legitimised. Elections ensure people's participation in the exercise of
political power.
Socio-Economic Rights
T.H. Marshall correlated socio-economic rights with the
history of the modern Welfare
State. Mention may be made of the
following rights of citizens-the right to a
minimum wage, right education, health service and the
to
right
to state assistance
in cases ofunemployment, old age, sickness, etc. According to T.H. Marshall, these
rights provided a measure of social security for all those who could not flourish in
the "free market." Socio-economic rights reduced the
impact of inequalities.
Obligations of Citizenship
Rights are correlative with duties and functions, i.e. obligations. Mention may be
made of the following duties which every citizen is
expected
to perform:
1. To defend the country and render national service when called to do
upon so.
2. To pay taxes, cesses, etc.
3. To settle disputes by negotiation and by means of judicial processes, rather than
force.
4. To assist law enforcing agencies in their task of maintaining law and order.
5. To cast the vote and to exercise constant vigilance over policies and actions of
the government.
6. To observe the rules of good civic behaviour and not to create any such nuisance
as would interfere with the convenience and comfort of the neighbours.

Calling a Bandh is Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has ruled that calling a bandh (closure of business, shops.
an organisation is unconstitutional. Why? Because
factory, etc.) by a political party or
There is clearly a psychological fear
it causes great inconvenience to the public.
his Freedom of Movement. Besides, it
which will prevent a citizen from enjoying
one can be allowed to paralyse industry or commerce.
causes national loss. No

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 EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF A SOCIRTY

Citizenship is a status which bestows upon individuals "equal rights"

ts" and dutes
In fact, people have been barred from equal rights on grounds of gendodutie

class conflict. According to Giddens, rights

are not real for the
vast
ender, race and
ng
those who fall in i y
in the ity of
of
people. We must examine this issue in
the context fall
the 'poverty cycle. « trap
Pavements
The Urban Poor living in Slums or on

People from rural areas come in large numbers to towns and cities in
search
better jobs and in order to improve their standard of living. These migrants
the outskirts of cities in unhygienic conditions, without safe drinking wat
and
The slum dwellers make a sizeable number of the urban poor.Th
electricity.
be working as daily wagers and domestic servants. They may also be hawk
and
vendors selling goods for your household. Rickshaws are driven by the pDoor in all

parts of the country.

Some poor people are employed by traders and shopkeepers and are made to
work for very long hours, sometimes 12 to 14 hours a day. There is no job securit
for them and their services may be terminated at the will of the employer. As thev
do not have a permanent home address, they fail to get ration cards also. For the
same reason, most of them do not have the right to. vote.

Sufferings of the people living in unhygienic conditions in slums cannot be explained

by means of statistics. While the rich and powerful enjoy the fruits of development
process, the urban poor are victims of both
the public criticism and State neglect.
Thanks to some Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs), such issues as
poverty and slum-improvement attracted
government attention in recent times. For
instance a national policy on urban street
vendors was adopted in India in January
2004 with the objective of providing a
supportive environment for street vendors
to carry on their profession without
harassment. The policy acknowledged the
contribution of street vendors to urban life
and was designed as a major step to
improve the living conditions of the urban
poor.
Manek Chowk
Market, Ahmedabad
This market accommodates hundreds
of vegetable vendors. They were
harassed by the Municipal Corporation
of Ahmedabad. The Corporation fined
the vendors and forced them to vacate
the footpath with the help of the police
n september 1984 the Supreme Court
directed the Corporation not to evicttne
vendors, in response to a Public Interes
Litigation filed by Ela Bhatt, the Generd
e
Secretary of SEWA, along with a
other Social Activists.

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The Tribals

The
located in the
tribal are far-flungwhich are generally hilly or have a
areas
wavy surface.
wavy They follow
surface. Th occupations such as hunting and gathering of
primitive
forest produce.
Development with "a human face" has been the slogan of our
democratic politica. system. But rights of millions of tribals and forest dwellers are
because of the greed of industrial houses. An estimated 1.64 lakh
being violated
being
hertares of forest land in the three States of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
has already been diverted for mining activities. The Tribals, naturally, do not own
which they held.
much of these forests,
once

Equal rights for all members of a society do not mean "the sameness of rights."
as the urban and rural poor, the tribals, the women and the
Some persons, such
concessions.
disabled have a legitimate reason to be granted special

festivals differ
Medical The Naga languages and
Mobile Medical Clinics provide from tribe to tribe. But they all show
a
Areas in the State of
services in Tribal dresses
Chattisgarh great taste for colourful

NATION-STATE
CITIZEN AND THE
nation-states. These states have acquired
of modern states are
The vast majority historical process, extending over hundreds of
through a long
their oresent form
the European
states-France, Germany, Italy and others-passed
Most of
system there was no feeling of
vears. nationality
Under feudal
throueh the feudal system. owed loyalty only to their "feudal lords'. There were
ere

among the
people. People
had little power

kings but they

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 Changes in social, economic and religious lite of the people led to the diei.
of the feudal order and its
all of a nation rather than
replacement by nation-states. A nation-state
part of it." We talk of France as a nation of
egration
nation-state ation
"includes
Germany that belongs to the Germans and India belonging to the. the udes
strength of the nation-state is that it offers the benefits of Indians. TheFrench
great
and th-cultural coh8reat
both-cultural
political unity. People of a nation-state share a common cultural
and nan
identity. Symbols like national flag, national anthem, national
considered as expressions of national identity. And because language ete
language etc.,
people of a nation.e are
have gained the -state
right to self-government, there do exist the bonds of
and 'Nationality' in a nation-state.
Citizenshr
Citizensh
No Nation-State isCulturally Homogeneous
Cultural homogeneity, i.e., unity of race, religion and
language may be an ideal
thing, but it existed in perfect form in any of the nation-states.
never
No
culturally homogeneous. All have some kind of ethnic or cultural mix. The state is
States, for instance, is known as "a country of United
immigrants." France, the largest
country in Western Europe, has people not only of European
who came from Africa and other overseas origin but also those
territories. In fact, no nation-state is
based upon ethnic
unity. It is largely made of civic loyalties and
People of different ethnic origins and those following different obligations.
have their own private religious faiths will
thoughts and beliefs, but as Citizens of USA and France,
they are bound together by the same rights and
obligations. Citizenship is a
relationship between the 'Individual' and 'State', by virtue of which the individuals
have a broader national
identity. citizens, including the immigrants, are expected
to get assimilated into the
All
national culture.

CRITERIA FOR GRANTING CITIZENSHIP

There are kinds of citizerns in a state-(a) Natural
two
born Citizens, and (b) Naturalised
Citizens. Natural born Citizenship is based on two
the citizenship of his father/mother, principles. One, the child acquires
the time of the birth of the child were
irrespective of the fact whether the
parents at
living is some foreign state or in their own
country. This is called the principle of "Blood
principle, such as Austria, France, Italy and others. Relationship.' Many states follow this
Two, a
territority of a particular state is considered as a citizen ofperson born within the
that state, irrespective
of the fact whether his parents belonged to that state
or not. This
is called the
Drinciple of 'Place of Birth'. Britain and the United States have
been following both
the principles. This double principle may ead to the cases of 'Double
For instance, if the French couple goes to England Nationality
and there a child is born to them,
then according to the "Principle of Birtn, tne cnild would be
considered a citizen

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 nce but according to the British law of Place of Birth', the child would acquire
Oh Citizenship. In such cases the concerned persons are given an opportunity
British

celecting their 'Citizenship' on attaining maturity.

Naturalisation: Acquisition of Citizenship: Usually the fulfilment of the conditions
Residence
( ) Residence for a certain period of time, (i) Marrying a foreigner, (ii) Purchase

of Estate in a toreign state, and (0) being in Government Service in another country,
entitles an alien to the conferment of the rights of citizenship. Moreover, when
cOuntry annexes another country or an area of land, the citizens of the annexed
territory acquire the nationality of annexing country.
Citizenship under the Constitution of India: The inclusive character of the Indian
aation is clearly embodied in the Constitution of India. The Citizenship Act, 1955
contains detailed provisions with regard to the acquisition and termination of
citizenship in India. The persons domiciled and born in the territory of India at the
time of the commencement of the Constitution became Indian nationals. Persons
who migrated from Pakistan also became Indian citizens if they satisfied the required
conditions. The Citizenship Act, 1955 prescribed these ways for acquisition of
citizenship: () by Birth, (i) by Descent, (Gii) by Registration, (iv) by Naturalisation,
and (7) by Inclusion of Territory.
Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019: The Citizenship Amendment Act (2019)
amended the 1955 Citizenship Act by granting citizenship to Hindus, Buddhists,
Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and Jains who entered India from Pakistan, Bangladesh
and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014. The reason was that the six named
communities had been facing persecution in these three countries. For instance, the
Hindu population in Pakistam, 23 percent in 1947, had fallen to 3.7 percent in 2017.

Our Constitution makes no distinction between the two classes of citizens: those
States no naturalised
by Birth and those who are naturalised citizens. In the United
naturalised citizens
citizen can hold the office of the President. In India, however,
are eligible for all offices under
the Constitution, i.e., offices of the President, Vice-
Governor.
President, Prime Minister and
Ours is a "Secular Democratic Republic' that does not
Rights of a Citizen:
on grounds of race, religion, caste or sex. All citizens
discriminate against any citizen
Brahmins or adalits, Hindus or Christians, men or women)
(tribals or non-tribals,
which are as follows:
have been granted full rights
such as equality betore law, equality of opportunity in
1. Fundamental Rights, ot speech and expression and the right
matters of public
employment, freedom
of India.
to reside in any
part of the territory
to hold offices such as those of President of Indiaa,
are eligible
2. All citizens
ot the >upreme cOurt or that of the High Court.
Governor and Judges

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 3. All citizens are qualified for being Members of Parliament (MAPe1
(MPs) or
hose of
State Legislature.
Citizens' Fundamental Duties: It shall be the duty of every citizen
citizen () to
by the Constitution, (ii) protect unity
to and integrity of abide
(ii) to a aDide
India,
public property, (iv) to protect the natural environment, including foreuard
rivers, etc. and (v) to provide opportunities for education to their childrendkes, forests,feguard
lakes,
a few other dutiees. besides
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

We find that millions of people have migrated fronm one part of the world to anoth
usually for fear of being persecuted or in order to save themselves from a dan
of war. NNo person should be forced to return to a country where his life or heli langer
are threatened. At the same time, people cannot be allowed to stay 'Stateless f
an indefinite period of time. We should move forward to strengthen the
Global Citizenship.
conceptof
Arguments in Favour of Global Citizenship
Many arguments are given in support of the concept of Global Citizenship.
1. We live in Interconnected World: Because of a revolution in technology (e-mail
an

facilities, computers and aircrafts flying at supersonic speed) people and news
can reach
every corner of the world within no time. Since we watch accidents
such as earthquakes or a plane crash on the television
screens, we naturally
develop feelings of sympathy for those who suffered: People everywhere in the
world react in an identical manner to such disasters. This
gives us a picture of
Global Society, which is leading social scientists to
develop the concept of Global
Citizenship.
2. Unless States worked together they cannot overcome many Problems: The
governments are still
trying to overcome many
problems, such as poverty, hunger
and disease. Today many international organisations are providing disaster reliet
and are
attempting to check the spread of diseases like Bird flu or AIDS or
Covid-19 that disrupted lives and livelihoods
and 2021). Besides, mankind is faced with during the past two years (2020
If work
problems like violation of human rights.
is done by several Governments
the
co-operatively, we can better deal witn
pandamics or problems faced by Refugees and persons who became Stateless.
Need for an International Agreement on Migration
Sentiments associated with the nation-states are so
powerful, that the ideal of Global
Citizenship may not be realisable at this moment. but there is need for an International
Aoreement on Migration.
Such an Agreement should bind nations to
grant some
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basic s o c
Social and legal rights to all
migrants and genuine refugees. It will lead to
all-round nd development of
asylum-seekers and refugees.

Summary of the main points

what is Citizenship? TH. Marshall defined citizenship as "full and equal
af a community." Citizenship bestows upon individuals "equal rights and membership
duties".
The three different kinds of rights-civil, political and
two or three centuries.
social-developed over the
past
Rights and Obligations of Citizenship: (1) Civil Rights, such as right to life, freedom
of thought, speech and religion, and freedom of movement, (2) Political Rights, such
as the right to vote, and (3) Socio-economic Rights, such as the right to a minimum
wage and the right to education and health service.
Obligations of Citizenship: To defend the country, to pay taxes, to settle disputes
by discussion, rather than force, to cast vote and to observe the rules of good civic
behaviour.
Equal Rights for All the Members of a Society: Rights could not become something
real for the vast majority of people, such as the urban poor living in slums and the
Tribals.
Citizen and the Nation-State: A nation-state includes all of a nation rather than
part of it. But no nation-state is culturally homogeneous. USA is knowm as "a country
of immigrants." France has people not only those of European origin but also those
who came from Africa and overseas territories.
Criteria for Granting Citizenship: There are two kinds of citizens in a State-Natural
born Citizens and Naturalised Citizens. Citizenship in India can be acquired by
and by inclusion of territory.
birth, by descent, by registration, by naturalisation
of a citizen. Fundamental Duties of Citizens.
Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. Rights
have been advanced in favour of Global
Global Citizenship: Many arguments
in an Interconnected World. Unless nations worked
Citizenship. We are living
cannot overcome many problems.
together, we

EXERCISES

1 Mark each
Questions carry
A. Following exceed 20 Words each)
(Answers
should not
resides in a certain country, does he automatically become a citizen
1. (a) If someone
of that country?
A person of particular nationality
a may visit another country and may
Ans.
does not automatically become a citizen of that country.
live there. He

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 (b) Whom do you call a 'Stateless Person'?
Ans. A person who is 'Stateless' is not a citizen of any country. He
such rights as protection life and property. has onlu
B. Following Questions carry 2 Marks each
(Answers should not exceed 40 Words each)
2. (a) Whatis meant by 'Full and Equal Membership of a
Communit
context of Citizenship? ity seenin
Ans. Citizenship is a principle
of Equality. Therefore, full and
of a community' means that race, caste, sex, equal member equal membership
property and
educational factcto rs
should not determine the rights which a citizen has.
(b) Why was the Citizenship Act, 1955 amended in 2019?
Ans. It was amended to grant Citizenship to
Hindus, Buddhists. Sith.
Christians and Jains who entered India from Pakistan,
Bangladesh
ns
and
Afghanistan. These communities had been facing persecution in these three
Countries.
(c) Mention the significance of an International Agreement on Migration in view
of Global Citizenship.
Ans. Such an Agreement could bind nations to
and legal rights to
grant some basic social
migrants and genuine refugees. It will lead to all-round
development of asylum-seekers and refugees.
C. Multiple Choice Questions
3. (a) In which of the
following countries the Black populace had to wage a sustained
struggle against the White racist regime?
i) Germany (i) South Africa
(iii) France (iv) Mexico
Ans. South Africa
(b) Who among the following was the author of the celebrated work
and the Social Class'? 'Citizenship
i) John Locke
(ii) Jeremy Bentham
(ii) T.H. Marshall
(io) Harold Laski
Ans. T.H. Marshall
(c) Which among the following is known as 'a
() France
Country of Immigrants'?
(i) USA
(iii) Japan (iv) Iran
Ans. USA

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 d) In which year was the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors adopted in
India?
(i) Year 2001 (i) Year 2002
(ii) Year 2003 (io) Year 2004
Ans. The Year 2004

4 Marks each
D. Following Questions carry
exceed 100 Words each)
(Answers should not
4. Mention any two rights and any two duties of Citizens in India.

5. Why have large towns become so very attractive to migrating workers in India?
What contributions do they make to the local economy?
note on the struggle of the tribals and Dalits for full enjoyment of
6. Write a

citizenship rights in India.

to leave their own country and to become Refugees
7. What factors forced people
What are the problems faced by the Refugees or
in the neighbouring countries?
people who became Stateless.

8. How can the concept of Global Citizenship help Refugees?

Or
of Global Citizenship?
What are the arguments in favour of the concept

to 6 Marks each
E. Following Questions carry 5
150 Words each)
(Answers should not exceed
Do you agree with the view that rights have been achieved
9. What is Citizenship?
through struggle? their main
in democratic state? What are
What Rights do citizens enjoy
a
10.
or Duties as citizens?
Obligations
Do you think the urban poor
individuals equal rights.
11. Citizenship bestows upon
tribals have to face
and the
great inequalities of opportunity?
Or
have been made to grant equal
with the view that provisions
Do you agree all not possible?
equal rights by
was
but the exercise of
to all citizens,
rights

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