Class 9 Social Science (Political Science)

Prepared by T.RAMA REDDY,SA(SS), ZPP HIGH SCHOOL, VENDRA, PEDAPUDI MANDAL

Chapter 1 – What is democracy? Why democracy?

1. Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how would
you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against
each of these.
a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote.
Ans: Undemocratic
b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.
Ans: Not sure
c) Country C: The ruling party has lost in the last three elections.
Ans: Democratic
d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Ans: Undemocratic
2. Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each
of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these.

a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of the
Chief of Army.
Ans: Undemocratic
b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.
Ans: Democratic
c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without
taking permission from its neighbouring country.
Ans: Undemocratic
d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials of
the central bank which the ministers cannot change.
Ans: Undemocratic
3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?
(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy.
(b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.
(c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people.
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
Ans: Option (d)
Democracies are more prosperous than others, is not the right argument in favour of democracy
because there are many countries like Sri Lanka, and India which opted for democracy but were not
so prosperous whereas countries which have communist and monarchy rules such as China and
Saudi Arab respectively are said to be more prosperous.
4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write out the two
separately for each statement.
a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform to
the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Ans: A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament – The democratic
element. The regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) – Undemocratic element.
b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale rigging
was reported.
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Ans: The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency – Democratic element large-
scale rigging was reported – Undemocratic element.
c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led
women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.
Ans: This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women. – Democratic element.
Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. – Undemocratic element
5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine
in a democratic country?
(a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
(b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.
(c) The government fears its defeat in the next elections.
(d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.
Ans: Option (d) is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in a
democratic country, because believing as well as practising a religion is not related to preventing
famine in a democratic country.
6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking
water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to
respond to their needs.
Which of these is not a democratic method?
(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.
(c) Organising public meetings against the government's policies.
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Ans: Option (d), which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic
method.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:
a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore,
the army should rule the country.
b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the
wise, even if they are in small numbers.
c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide
us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.
Ans: A democracy is a government, whose representatives are elected by the citizens of the country
for themselves. Army is an important part of any country, whose primary role is to protect the people
of the country. But they are not elected by the citizens of the country, so they are unable to form a
democratic government. As people are quite intelligent to some extent, so the second statement is
false.
If we bring religion into politics, then it will create serious conflicts among the citizens of the country.
Hence, the third statement is also false.
8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?
a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family
children marry where the parents tell them to.
Ans: This statement of father is undemocratic because every adult has the right to choose their life
partner. The father does not have the right to impose their choice on daughter.
b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the
classroom.

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Ans: This statement also is not under democratic setup. The student has the right to ask questions.
This is undemocratic if his right is denied.
c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.
Ans: The third statement is democratic because it is asking for a rule of law which would be in the
favour and beneficial of the employee.
9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a democracy.
Give reasons to support your decision
a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.
Ans: This is democracy as only a democratic setup allows the right to vote and also election at a
regular time period.
b) The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving a loan
was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.
Ans: A democratic country has to look after the welfare of its people. The condition of reducing
expenses on health and education is against the welfare of the people.
c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one language,
the language spoken by 52 percent of people in that country.
Ans: In democracy, education is available in all languages as its basic right. Official language can
be the language of the majority of people.
d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nation-wide
strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.
Ans: Democracy, provides the right to express, to the citizens of the country to express their opinion
in a peaceful manner. It is undemocratic behaviour.
e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have to
get permission from the government to publish any news about the government's policies
and protests.
Ans: This is undemocratic because in democracy freedom of press and media is given. If the
government owns radio and television then it will be a freedom of press violation.

Q10: In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that
country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It also
shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report
highlighted that:

 Ifan average Black family earns $ 100 then the income of average White family is $ 162. A
White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.
 In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income over $ 75,000
have voted. These people are the top 20% of the population in terms of their income. On the
other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with income less than $15,000 have voted.
They are the bottom 20% of the population in terms of their income.
 About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from the rich. This gives them opportunity
to express their opinions and concerns, which is not available to most citizens.
 As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their concerns –
coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing for them. Politicians hear
most regularly about the concerns of business persons and the rich.

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report but
using examples from India.

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Answer: There is no denying fact that poverty has a direct and deep impact a democracy. Modern
democracy is a form of government run by the rich section of society. The rich control the media
and use it for their own benefit. Influence of the rich over politics is clearly visible in the countries
like England, USA and India. In India, only rich can contest the election.
The poor people are bought and sold. The poor cannot fight elections against the rich and get
elected. As a result, the rich influence the government when it takes decisions about the policies.
The government formed by the different politicians pays much attention to the interests of the
business class and rich sections of the society.
As poor people participate less in our Parliamentary democracy, their interests viz, education,
employment, healthcare, housing problems etc are neglected. Our government has taken many
Welfare Scheme like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),
The Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Indira Awaas Yajona (IAY) etc.
But their implementation is far from satisfactory. Like USA and in India different political parties
pay more attention to the concerns of the rich who contribute most of their funds.

Intext Questions:
Q 11: I have heard a different version. Democracy is off the people, far (from) the people
and (where they) buy the people. Why don’t we accept that?
Ansr: In some cases, the democracy is off the people far (from) the people and (where they) buy
the people. It means where the democracy does not belong to the people it is not for them but far
away from them and where the democracy is not by the people but the candidates buy the votes
with money. It means ideal democracy is still distant from reality.
But we should not see these examples and be hopeless. These problems can be rectified with
passage of time with proper usage of electronic media.

Q 12: Let us take Lyngdoh Madam seriously and try to write down the exact definition of
some of the simple words that we use all the time: pen, rain and love. For example, is there
a way of defining a pen that distinguishes it clearly from a pencil, a brush, a chalk or
crayon.
 What have you learnt from this attempt?
 What does it teach us about understanding the meaning of democracy?

Ans: (i) From this conversation, I have learnt that by our simple thinking we can understand about
any matter ourselves. We have to think about its meaning and evolve a definition.
(ii) We need a definition only when we come across a difficulty in the use of a word. We need a
clear definition of democracy because there are different kinds of governments which are known
as Democracy. Abraham Lincoln said that Democracy is a rule of the people, for the people and
by the people.
We must not accept the definition, just because everyone accepts it. We do not know if this is the
best way of defining democracy, unless we think about it ourselves.

Q13: Ribiang went back home and collected some more famous quotations on democracy.
This time she did not mention the names of the people who said or wrote these. She wants
you to read these and comment on how good or useful these thoughts are:
Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

 Democracy consists of choosing your dictators after they’ve told you what you think it is you
want to hear.
 Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes
democracy necessary
 Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
 All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.
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Ans: The first and second points are about those forms of government in which the people can
elect their ruler without having options. It means they have to elect the candidates chose by the
ruling party. In the third thought, it suggests that if man is following justice, then democracy is
possible. But when the man follows injustice, then democracy is necessary there to give justice to
others. In the fourth thought, it suggests that there must be a balance between the form of
government and our need. The main purpose of democracy is what it gives to its citizens.
Democracy recognises our needs and enhances our dignity. In the last thought, there is a chance
for modifying the features and characteristics of democracy as per our needs. There is no
guarantee that mistakes cannot be made in democracy. The advantage is that there is a scope for
correction through amendments. Either the rulers have to change their decisions or the rulers can
be changed. In this way, the disadvantages of democracy can be corrected.

Q14: This cartoon was drawn when elections were held in Iraq with the presence of US and
other foreign powers. What do you think this cartoon is saying? Why is ‘democracy’ written
the way it is?

Answer: (i)The cartoon is saying that democracy is being established in Iraq with the help of the
US military power.
(ii) The word Democracy in this cartoon is written in a particular way because it shows that it is not
true democracy. It is set up by the US for its own interest, they made mockery of democracy.
Democracy is being ridiculed in this cartoon.
Q 15: Syria is a small west Asian country. The ruling Ba’ath Party and some of its small
allies are the only parties allowed in that country. Do you think this cartoon could apply to
China or Mexico? What does the crown of leaves on democracy signify?

Answer: (i) Yes, this cartoon could be applied to China, because there is one party rule in China.
A candidate needs the approval of the Chinese communist party before contesting elections in
China. So China is never a true democracy.
Mexico has a multiparty system. Nationally there are three large political parties, viz, Institutional.
Revolutionary Party (IRP), National Action Party (NAP), and Party of the Democratic Revolution
(PDR). But until 2000 every election was won by the IRP. The IRP was used many cheating
methods to win elections. So the cartoon can be applied to Mexico until 2000 election. But in 2006,
election the PRI fell to third place behind both the PAN and the PRD. Now Mexico has a coalition
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government.
(ii) Olive leaves represents peace. Crown of leaves means a circle of leaves that is worn on
somebody's head as a sign of victory. This cartoon shows that democracy has won in some of the
countries of the world in a peaceful way, but it is not accepted by all.

Q 16: This cartoon was drawn in the context of Latin America. Do you think it applies to the
Pakistani situation as well? Think of other countries where this could apply? Does this

happen sometimes in our country as well?

Ans: (i) The cartoon suggests the scene of booth capturing, an election malpractice with the gun.
This can be applicable to the Pakistan. In Pakistan, General Musharraf with the help of army
officials controlled the elected representatives.
(ii) This could be applied in Iraq, China, etc.
(iii) Booth capturing by the political hooligans happens sometimes in our country also.

Q 17: All this is so remote for me. Is democracy all about rulers and governments? Can we
talk about a democratic classroom? Or a democratic family?
Ans:
 Democracy is not only about rulers and governments. Democracy is a principle that can be
applied to any sphere of life. A democratic decision involves consultation with and consent of all
those who are affected by that decision. Democracy can be applied to any institution other than
government where decision of everyone in that institution is equally valued.
 We can have democratic classrooms where the students can ask questions without hesitation.
The teachers have a democratic temperament, so that the interaction is not a one-way traffic
but a healthy two-way interaction.
 Democracy can be seen in families also. We could have democratic families where the decisions
are not taken by any one individual and imposed on rest of the family members. All the family
members should sit down and arrive at a general concensus through peaceful discussions.

Q 18: This cartoon was titled ‘Building Democracy’ and was first published in a Latin
American publication. What do moneybags signify here? Could this cartoon be applied to
India?

Ans: (i) At the time of election, the political parties in the fray spend a lot of money to win the
election. Not only political parties, the government also spend a lot of money to conduct free and

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fair election. The cartoon suggests that we establish democracy with the help of money power.
(ii) Yes, this cartoon could be applied to India.

Q 19: This cartoon is about the Iraqi election held after Saddam Hussein’s regime was
overthrown. He is shown behind the bars. What is the cartoonist saying here? Compare the
message of this cartoon with the first cartoon in this chapter.

Ans: (i) In this cartoon, cartoonist is telling us about the equality of the right to vote and equal
value of vote given to each man. The quote said by the person jail shows that he is a dictator; he
prefers the situation when he is the only man to decide any matter by his only vote.
(ii) The main difference between the first cartoon in this chapter and this cartoon is that the first
one suggests that the US army personnel are elevating the process to form a democracy in Iraq.
But in this cartoon the message is that the democracy is already established.

Q 20: Why talk about Zimbabwe? I read similar reports from many parts of our own country.
Why don’t we discuss that?
Answer: (i) The President of Zimbabwe is the head of the state of Zimbabwe. In 1987, Robert
Mugabe becomes the president and he revises the Constitution to make himself Executive
President. President Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. Opposition
party workers are harassed, public protest and demonstration against the government are
declared illegal, both print and electronic media are controlled by the government.
The government has pressurised judges to give verdict in favour of the government. The example
of Zimbabwe shows that popular approval of the rulers is necessary in a democracy, but it is not
sufficient. A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes, simply because it has won the
election. This is the reason for which Zimbabwe is discussed here.
(ii) Our country is democratic and elections are by and large free and fair. However, sometimes we
hear reports about use of unfair means, violence and money power in elections. These tactics
(methods) are adopted by some candidates with criminal connections or criminal background.
However, such cases are decreasing day by day.
Q 21: Chinese government blocked free flow of information on the internet by placing
restrictions on popular websites like ‘Google’ and ‘Yahoo’. The image of tanks and an
unarmed student reminds the reader of another major event in recent Chinese history. Find

out about that event.

Ans: The cartoon reminds us of the Massacre in liananmen square in 1989. In April 1989,
triggered by the death of Hu Yaobang, a liberal reformer mass gathering and protests took place in

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and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing. It was largely a student run demonstration which called
for economic reform, freedom of the press and political liberalization. The Chinese government
suppressed the protest brutally and forcefully. It was criticized by the international arena.

Q 22:

Ans:
Example Feature
(i)King of Bhutan.......representative Major decision by elected leaders
(ii)Many Tamil workers.....Sri Lanka One person ,one vote ,one value
(iii)The King of Nepal.....Rallies Respect for Rights
(iv)The Indian Supreme Court .......unconstitutional Rule of Low
(iv) Political parties.....time of elections Free and fair electroal competition
Q 23: I want to be in Lyngdoh Madam’s class! That sounds like a democratic classroom.
Doesn’t it?
Ans: Yes, Lyngdoh Madam's classroom sounds like a democratic classroom. Here everybody can
speak his own mind. The students are giving their own arguments passionately. They can express
their opinions freely in front of others. Here two way interaction is allowed unlike one way traffic.

Question 14: This cartoon is from Brazil, a country that has long experience of dictatorship.
It is entitled “The Hidden Side of Dictatorship”. Which hidden sides does this cartoon
depict? Is it necessary for every dictatorship to have a hidden side? If possible, find this
out about the dictators including Pinochet in Chile, Jaruzelski in Poland, Sani Abacha in
Nigeria and Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines.

Ans: (i) The hidden side depicted by the cartoon is the brutal side to the dictator. Dictator like
Hitler ordered mass killings, to eliminate 'undesirable' persons. Like Hitler many dictators killed the
innocent people who were against their regime.
(ii) No, it is not necessary for every dictatorship to have a hidden side. Because, if the dictator
really wants to work for the betterment of people, he does not need to have a hidden side.
(iii) (a) The revolt by the army took place in Chile on 11th September 1973 under General Augusto
Pinochet in which President Salvador Allende was killed. Pinochet became the president the
country and ruled it for the next 17 years.
(b) Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was the last communist leader Poland who was the head of the
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state from 1985 to 1990. He resigned from the power after the Polish Round table Agreement in
1989 that led to democratic elections in Poland.
(c) General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military dictator and politician. He was the defacto
president of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998. His regime was tied to human rights violations and
allegations of corruption. He hanged the famous social activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. He did not allow
democratic process like elections in Nigaria. He was listed as the world's fourth most corrupt
leader in recent history.
(d) Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos was the president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986.
He implemented wide-ranging) programs of infrastructure development and economic reform.
However, his administration was marred by massive authoritarian, political repression and human
rights violations. In the 2004, Global Transparency Report, Marcos appeared in the list of the
world's corrupt leader. He was said to have amassed between $ 5 billion to $ 10 billion in his 21
years as President of Philippines.

Q 25: What would have happened if India was not a democracy? Could we have stayed
together as a single nation?
Ans: No, we would have not stayed together as a single nation if India was not a democracy. India
has multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-linguistic population. If there was no democracy then all
the people could not have followed their religion and customs with freedom and there would have
been conflicts between different religious and linguistic groups where the minorities would have
lived in fear and insecurity. But democracy provides the peaceful solutions to every problem. It
provides the best method of dealing with differences and conflicts.

Q 26: This cartoon was published in Canada just before its parliamentary elections of 2004.
Everyone, including the cartoonist, expected the Liberal party to win once again. When the
results came, the Liberal Party lost the elections. Is this cartoon an argument against
democracy or for democracy?

Ans: This cartoon is an argument for democracy. Because in democracy, the voters decide in
favour of or against the ruling party. Although the cartoonist expected the Liberal Party to win, he
criticized the Liberal Party which he could do only in a democracy form of government.

Q 27: Rajesh and Muzaffar read an article. It showed that no democracy has ever gone to
war with another democracy. Wars take place only when one of the two governments is
non-democratic. The article said that this was a great merit of democracy. After reading the
essay, Rajesh and Muzaffar had different reactions. Rajesh said that this was not a good
argument for democracy. It was just a matter of chance. It is possible that in future
democracies may have wars. Muzaffar said that it could not be a matter of chance.
Democracies take decisions in such a way that it reduces the chances of war. Which of the
two positions do you agree with and why?

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Ans: I, some how agree with Muzaffar's argument. In democracy, the decision is taken after
discussion and keeping in view the welfare of the people. So, the chances of war are minimized in
democracy, but we cannot say that it is not possible. Some wars were fought between two
democracies like India and Pakistan, e.g., 'Kargil War' when both countries were democratic
countries.

Q 28: This famous cartoon by R K Laxman comments on the celebrations of the fifty years
of independence. How many images on the wall do you recognize? Do many common
people feel the way the common man in this cartoon does?

Ans: (i) The images on the wall are the images of former Prime Ministers of India. They were Pt
Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Gulzari Lal Nanda, Morarji Desai, Choudhary Charan
Singh, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Narasimhan Rao, Devegowda
and A B Vajpayee .
(ii) Yes, the common people feel the way the common man in this cartoon does. After 50 glorious
years of Independence, the condition of the common man has changed very little. The claims and
promises of the politicians became meaningless to the common man, so he fell asleep by hearing
these again. It is a true picture of present situation of common man in a democracy like India.

Q 29: In my village the Gram Sabha never meets. Is that democratic?

Ans: The Gram Sabha should meet regularly to carry out its functions for the welfare of the people
but if the Gram Sabha does not meet that would not be democratic, it would be undemocratic.

Q 30: Find out the total number of eligible voters in your assembly constituency and your
parliamentary constituency. Find out how many people can fit into the largest stadium in
your area. Is it possible for all the voters in your parliamentary or assembly constituency to
sit together and have a meaningful discussion?
Ans: i) No of voters in my assembly constituency named Anaparthi in East Godavari district of
Andhra Pradesh state are 2,40,969
My Parliamentary constituency is Rajajmundry in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. No of
voters here is 18,96,838.
ii) Largest stadium nearby me is Arts college ground in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh
state. It's strength is around 25,000 members.
(iii) No, it is not possible. It is impossible for all the voters in my Parliamentary or Assembly
Constituency to sit together and have a meaningful discussion. The large number of voters cannot
sit together for taking a decision.

Multiple Chioce Questions

1. The word ‘Democracy’ comes from the Greek word –
(a) Democracia (b) Demokratia (c) Demos (d) Kratia
Answer: (b) Demokratia
2. The head of the government in Nepal is the:
(a) President (b) Prime Minister (c) King (d) Vice President
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Answer: (a) President
3. In which case was the real power with external powers and not with the locally elected representatives?
(a) India in Sri Lanka (b) US in Iraq (c) USSR in Communist Poland (d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)
4. How many members are elected to the National People’s Congress from all over China?
(a) 3050 (b) 3000 (c) 4000 (d) 2000
Answer: (b) 3000
5. Which party always won elections in Mexico since its independence in 1930 until 2000?
(a) Revolutionary Party (b) Mexican Revolutionary Party
(c) Institutional Revolutionary Party (d) Institutional Party
Answer: (c) Institutional Revolutionary Party
6. When did Zimbabwe attain independence and from whom?
(a) 1970, from Black minority rule (b) 1880, from White minority rule
(c) 1980, from Americans (d) 1980, from White minority rule
Answer: (d) 1980, from White minority rule
7. which of these features is/are necessary to provide the basic rights to the citizens?
(a) Citizens should be free to think (b) should be free to form associations
(c) Should be free to raise protest (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
8. What is Constitutional Law?
(a) Provisions given in the Constitution (b) Law to make Constitution
(c) Law to set up Constituent Assembly (d) none of the above
Answer: (a) Provisions given in the Constitution
9. Some of the drawbacks of democracy is
(a) Instability and delays (b) corruption and hypocrisy
(c) Politicians fighting among themselves (d) all the above
Answer: (d) all the above
10. In which period did China face one of the worst famines that have occurred in the world?
(a) 1932-36 (b) 1958-61 (c) 2001-2002 (d) 2004-2007
Answer: (b) 1958-61
11. Democracy improves the quality of decision-making because
(a) Decisions are taken by educated people (b) Decisions are taken by consultation and discussion
(c) Decisions are taken over a long period of time (d) All decisions are approved by judiciary
Answer: (b) Decisions are taken by consultation and discussion
12. The most common form that democracy takes in our time is that of
(a) Limited democracy (b) representative democracy (c) Maximum democracy (d) none of the above
Answer: (b) representative democracy

13. Which of these is an example of perfect democracy?

(a) USA (b) UK (c) India (d) None of the above
Answer: (d) None of the above

14. ‘One person, one vote’ means

(a) One person is to be voted by all (b) One person has one vote and each vote has one value
(c) A person can vote only once in his life (d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: (b) One person has one vote and each vote has one value
15. What kind of government is there in Myanmar?
(a) Government elected by the people (b) Communist government
(c) Army rule (d) Monarchy
Answer: (c) Army rule
20. Which organ of the government is required to protect the rights of the citizens?
(a) Executive (b) Legislature (c) Independent judiciary (d) Police
Answer: (c) Independent judiciary
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 Chapter 2 – Constitutional Design
1. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly
based on what you have read in this chapter.
a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should
be democratic or not after independence.
Ans: Leaders of the freedom movement had a legal agreement that the country should be a
democratic nation after independence.
b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of
the Constitution.
Ans: Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on the basic principles of
the constitution.
c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
Ans: A country that is a democracy must have a constitution.
d) The Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.

Ans: The Constitution can be amended as per the requirements of the society.
2. Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic
constitution in South Africa?
(a) Between South Africa and its neighbours
(b) Between men and women
(c) Between the white majority and the black minority
(d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority
Ans: (d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority
3. Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?

(a) Powers of the head of the state

(b) Name of the head of the state
(c) Powers of the legislature
(d) Name of the country
Ans: (b) Name of the head of the state
4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution
(a) Motilal Nehru i) President of the Constituent Assembly

(b) B.R. Ambedkar ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly

(c) Rajendra Prasad iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee

(d) Sarojini Naidu iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928

Ans:
a) Motilal Nehru iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928

b) B.R Ambedkar ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly

c) Rajendra Prasad i) President of the Constituent Assembly

d) Sarojini Naidu iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee

5. Read again the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and answer the following:
a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence?
Ans: Nehru used the expression “not wholly or in full measure” since building a nation is a huge
task according to him, which is difficult to fulfil in one’s lifetime.
12
b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
Ans: The pledge that he wanted the makers of the Indian Constitution to take, was to serve India,
the Indian people and humanity, by giving their lives.
c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from
every eye”. Who was he referring to?
Ans: He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.

6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them
by matching them correctly.

(a) Sovereign i) Government will not favour any religion

(b) Republic ii) People have the supreme right to make decisions.

(c) Fraternity iii) Head of the state is an elected person.

(d) Secular iv) People should live like brothers and sisters.
Ans:
(a) Sovereign ii) People have the supreme right to make decisions

(b) Republic iii) Head of the state is an elected person

(c) Fraternity iv) People should live like brothers and sisters

(d) Secular i) Government will not favour any religion.

7. A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political situation there. Many
political parties are opposing the rule of the king. Some of them say that the existing
constitution given by the monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected
representatives. Others are demanding a new Constituent Assembly to write a republican
constitution. Reply to your friend giving your opinions on the subject.
Ans: In my opinion, making small amendments does not shift whole power in the hands of
representatives. This does not give total responsibility to the elected representatives what will
happen in the next upcoming years. Hence, a new and well drafted constitution is the correct choice.

8. Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance
would you give to each of these factors?
a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with
representative legislative institutions under the British rule.
Ans: Democracy in India is not a gift of the British rulers. People of India had to struggle and sacrifice
their life to get freedom. Yes, experience working under the legislative constituency helped a lot
while setting up of democratic institution.
b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to
Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
Ans: Freedom struggle was important in spreading the idea of nationalism throughout the country,
and inculcating the practice of making decisions by legal agreement.
c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of
democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these
leaders.
Ans: India’s freedom struggle is the only example of a bloodless freedom struggle in
contemporary history. The leaders had the intention to give freedoms to the citizens of the country.
Our leaders had the maturity to listen to the views of others.

13
9. Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912.
‘God has made the female species delicate and fragile‘ both physically and emotionally,
pitiably incapable of self-defence. They are destined thus by God to remain in male protection
– of father, husband and son – all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, but feel
obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’.
Do you think the values expressed in this paragraph reflected the values underlying our
constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?
Ans: The values expressed in this para are totally contradictory to the values underlying our
constitution. Women here are treated as weak, but in our constitution men and women both are
treated equally. The policies made by the government also favour women to bring them into the
mainstream.

10. Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is
true or not true.
a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.
Ans: Not True
The Constitution describes in detail how the government is elected, their powers, rights of citizens
and their protection. This law is very much different from any other law.
b) The Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
Ans: True
The Constitution clearly defines the role of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary and also
it states how they should be formed and by whom.
c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the
constitution.
Ans: True
Constitutional setup limits the power of government through different institutions and also talks about
the rights of citizens.
d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values
Ans: Not True
The Constitution contains values that the institutions have to promote. A very good example is the
Preamble to the Constitution which states that justice, liberty, equality and fraternity need to be
promoted. Secularism needs to be followed, and socialism and democracy have to be the basis of
the government in the country.

Intext Questions
Question 11. What would have happened in South Africa of the black majority had decided to
take revenge on the whites for all their oppression and exploitation?
Answer: If the blacks had not forgiven the whites for all their oppression and exploitation and
decided to take revenge upon them, there would have been bloodshed everywhere. It could have
led to a division of the country and we would not have seen a united and peaceful South Africa
that exists now. Fortunately, the black community followed the policy of non-violence in their
freedom struggle.
Question 12. (i) Make a poster on the life and struggle of Nelson Mandela. (Self Drawing)
(ii) If available, read some portions of his auto-biography, The Long Walk to Freedom, in the
classroom.
Answer: (ii) Nelson Mandela
1) Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July, 1918.

14
2) He is a militant anti-apartheid activist and co-founder of ‘Umkhonto We Sizwe’ the armed wing
of the African National Congress (ANC).
3) In 1962, he was arrested and went on to serve 27 years in prison.
4) He released on 11th February, 1990 and led the party in the multi-party negotiations that led to
the country’s first multi-racial elections.
5) On 10th May, 1994, he became the first black President of South Africa. He retired in 1999 and
decided not to stand for a second term.
6) In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Madiba.
7) He has received more than 250 awards including Nobel Peace Prize (1993).
Long Walk to freedom
1) In is an auto-biographical work written by Nelson Mandela. It was published in 1995.
2) The book profiles his early life coming of age, education and 27 year in prison.
3) He described political and social aspects of apartheid in South Africa and his belief that the
struggle continues against apartheid in South Africa.
Question 13. The image Raptures the spirit at South Africa today. South Africans call
themselves a ʼrainbow nation’. Can you guess why?

Answer : South Africans call themselves a ‘rainbow

nation’. Because there are Whites, Black, Coloured people and Indians in South Africa who have
different skin colours. But they are living and working together as one people unified like the
colours of a rainbow. They have forgotten the racist brutal, repressive past. Now the
transformation of South Africa is truly shared by all its people.

Question 14. Does the story of South African struggle for freedom remind you of the Indian
national movement?
Make a list of similarities and dissimilarities between the two on the following points
a) Relationship between different communities
b) Nature of colonialism
c) Leadership: Gandhi/Mandela
d) Party that led the struggle: African National Congress/Indian National Congress
e) Method of struggle
Answer: Yes, the story of South African struggle for freedom reminds me of the Indian National
Movement.
1. Nature of Colonialism
Similarities Dissimilarities

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the trading

Unlike India, a large number of whites had settled in
companies from Europe occupied South Africa forcibly
South Africa and became the local rulers.
in the same way that they had occupied India.

2) Relationship between Different Communities

15
 Similarities Dissimilarities

The relationship between different religions and regional

The white rulers treated all non-whites
as inferiors in both the countries’. The
whites regarded Indians and Africans
inferior uncivilised people.
communities in India was cordial. They all believed themselves to be
Indians. But in South Africa, different communities like the whites,
blacks, coloured people and
Indians did not have cordial relations
-and respect for each other.

3. Leadership : Gandhi/Mandela

Similarities Dissimilarities

Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life

Both were apostles of truth and non-
imprisonment, though Gandhiji was also put behind the bars several
violence
times, but he was not sentenced to life imprisonment.

4. Party that led the struggle ANC/INC

Similarities Dissimilarities

Similarities, both the African National The purpose of both the parties was different. ANC was
Congress (ANC) and the Indian National fighting against apartheid and the segregation policies of
Congress organisations working national level. the racial African Government, where as the INC was
(INC) were umbrella. fighting against the British rule in India.

5. Method of Struggle

Similarities Dissimilarities

But, in South Africa, there was only one group, that of the
Both the South African struggle and Indian moderates, who adopted peaceful means against the government
National Movement followed the same policy, whereas in India besides the moderates, there were also the
i.e., the policy of non-violence. extremists, who used violent: methods
to attain their goal freedom.

Question 15. This is not fair! What was the point in having a Constituent Assembly in India
if all the basics were already decided?
Answer : We can not say that there was no point in having a Constituent Assembly to discuss
and frame a Constitution if the basics had already been decided. The basics were relating right to
freedom, universal adult franchise, rights of minorities which are the basis of any democratic
society.
These basics were the guiding principles which were further developed and expanded to establish
a welfare state. In a democracy, it is the Constituent Assembly which makes the Constitutions with
the help of the basics. So, the Constituent Assembly in India was established, even if all the basics
were already decided.
Question 16. Read the information about the makers of the Indian Constitution given in the side
columns here. You don’t need to memorise this information. Just give examples from these to
support the following statements
1. The Assembly had many members who were not with the Congress.
2. The Assembly represented members from different social groups.
3. Members of the Assembly believed in different ideologies.
Answer : 1. Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1875-1950), Jaipal Singh (1903-70). Bhimrao Ramji
Ambedkar (1891-1956), Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (1901-53).
2. Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel – Leader of Peasants Satyagraha.
Abul Kalam Azad – Theologian, Scholar of Arabic.
Jaipal Singh -President of Adivasi Mahasabha.
16
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Social revolutionary thinker and agitator against caste divisions and
caste-based inequalities.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Active in the Hindu Mahasabha.
3. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963), HC Mukherjee (1887-1956) , Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964),
Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949), Somnath Lahiri (1901-1984), Baldev Singh (1901-1961).
Question 17. Read the three quotations above carefully.

I shall strive for a constitution which will release India from all thralldom and patronage… I shall
work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they
have an effective voice; an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people;
an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an
India for the curse of untouchability or the curse of the intoxicating drinks and drugs.
Women will enjoy the same rights as men …
I shall be satisfied with nothing else.
On the 26th of January 1950, we are going to enter a life of contradictions. In politics we will
have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be
recognising the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and
economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and economic structure, continue to deny the
principle of one man one value. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradiction? How
long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life? If we continue to deny it
for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril.
Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our
pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour,
when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but
rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul
of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the
pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of
humanity.
Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this assembly, a sovereign
body representing the sovereign people of India. Before the birth of freedom we have endured all
the pains of labour and our hearts are heavy with the memory of this sorrow. Some of those pains
continue even now. Nevertheless, the past is over and it is the future that beckons to us now.
That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfil the pledges
we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of
the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality
of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear
from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our
work will not be over.
(i) Can you identify one idea that is common to all these three quotations?
Answer: The one idea that is common to all these three quotations Is the ending of inequality in
Indian society.
(ii) What are the differences in their ways of expressing that common idea?
Answer : In the first quotation, Gandhiji strived for an India in which there should be no higher or
lower class of people and all communities should live in perfect harmony.
In the second quotation, BR Ambedkar said,”We are going to enter a life of contradictions. In
politics, we will have equality but in social and economic life, we will have inequality.’
In the third quotation, Jawaharlal Nehru said about the ending of inequality, “the service of India
means the ending of poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.”
Question 18. Compare the Preambles to the Constitutions of the United States of America,
India and South Africa.
17
(i) Make a list of ideas that are common to all these three.
Answer : (a) Each of these Preambles starts with, “We, the people.” It means the source of all
authority to govern these countries are the people of these countries.
(b) In all these three, the idea of justice is embodied.
(ii) Note down at least one of the major differences among them.
Answer : In the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, there is a statement for the
formation of union, which is not there in the Preambles to the Indian and South African
Constitutions.
(iii) Which of the three makes a reference to the past?
Answer:The Preamble to the Constitution of South Africa makes a reference to the past.
(iv) Which of these does not invoke God?
Answer : The Preamble to the Constitutions of the United States and India do not invoke God.
Both the Preamble suggest that Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. There is no
official religion.

Multiple Chioce Questions

1. When did the Indian constitution come into force?
(a) 26th Nov, 1949 (b) 15th August, 1947 (c) 26th Jan, 1950 (d) 26th Jan, 1930
Answer: (c) 26th Jan, 1950
2. In the constituent assembly, the first captain of the Indian hockey team also had a role.
(a) Baldev Singh (b) Somnath Lahiri (c) Jaipal Singh (d) K.M. Munshi
Answer: (a) Baldev Singh
3. When was the Constitution of India adopted?
(a) 26th Nov, 1949 (b) 26th Jan, 1949 (c) 26th Jan, 1950 (d) 26th Nov, 1950
Answer: (a) 26th Nov, 1949
4. Which of these positions is correct in relation to the ‘Sovereign’ status of India?
(a) USA can decide India’s foreign policy
(b) USSR can support the CPI (M) in setting up its government here
(c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
(d) Pakistan can control India’s Armed Forces
Answer: (c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
5. Which of these positions is correct in relation to the ‘Sovereign’ status of India?
(a) USA can decide India’s foreign policy
(b) USSR can support the CPI (M) in setting up its government here
(c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
(d) Pakistan can control India’s Armed Forces
Answer: (c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
6. The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. What is it called?
(a) Preface (b) Preamble (c) Introduction (d) Article
Answer: (b) Preamble
7. How many amendments were considered before adopting the Constitution?
(a) Around 500 (b) Around 2000 (c) Around 1550 (d) Around 1000
Answer: (b) Around 2000

18
8. Who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (d) Abul Kalam Azad
Answer: (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
9. Which of these features were accepted by all the Indian leaders much before they sat down to
make the Constitution?
(a) Universal adult franchise (b) Right to freedom
(c) Protection of the rights of minorities (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
10. Which of these inspired our leaders while framing the Constitution?
(a) Ideals of the French Revolution (b) Parliamentary democracy in Britain
(c) Bill of Rights in US (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
11. During negotiations for making the Constitution, the whites agreed to
(a) The principle of majority rule (b) One person one vote
(c) Accept some basic rights for the poor and the workers (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
12. When did South Africa become a democratic country?
(a) 26 April, 1995 (b) 26 April, 1994 (c) 24 March, 1994 (d) 27 April, 1996
Answer: (b) 26 April, 1994
13. Which of these did not form a part of the changed attitude of South African government?
(a) Discriminatory laws were repealed (b) Ban on political parties and media was lifted
(c) Nelson Mandela was freed from imprisonment (d) More discriminatory laws were passed
Answer: (d) More discriminatory laws were passed
14. Why did the white regime decide to change its policies?
(a) Increase in protests and struggles (b) Government realised that repression was becoming difficult
(c) Rise of sympathetic attitude in government for the blacks (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
15. In which way did the system of apartheid discriminate among the South Africans?
(a) Restricted social contacts between the races (b) Segregation of public facilities
(c) Created race-specific job categories (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
16.Congress session of 1931 was held at:
(a) Karachi (b) Lucknow (c) Kanpur (d) Madras, now Chennai
Answer: (a) Karachi
17. In which year did Motilal Nehru and others draft a constitution for India?
(a) 1931 (b) 1928 (c) 1929 (d) 1932
Answer: (b) 1928
18. The Constituent Assembly met for how many days?
(a) 114 (b) 280 (c) 365 (d) 150
Answer: (a) 114
19
19. Who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian constitution ?
(a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) C. Rajgopalachari (d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
20. Which of the following days is celebrated to mark the enforcement of the constitution?
(a) Republic Day (b) Independence Day
(c) Gandhi Jayanti (d) Constitution Enforcement Day
Answer: (a) Republic Day
21. Which of these countries is/are examples of a Republic?
(a) USA (b) India (c) South Africa (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
22. The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. What is it called?
(a) Preface (b) Preamble (c) Introduction (d) Article
Answer: (b) Preamble
23. Who among these leaders was a bitter critic of Mahatma Gandhi?
(a) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (b) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
24. When did the Assembly adopt the Constitution?
(a) 26 November, 1949 (b) 26 December, 1949
(c) 26 January, 1950 (d) 26 January, 1949
Answer: (a) 26 November, 1949
25. Where was the 1931 session of Indian National Congress held?
(a) Nagpur (b) Karachi (c) Calcutta (d) Delhi
Answer: (b) Karachi
26. When did Motilal Nehru draft a Constitution for India?
(a) 1927 (b) 1926 (c) 1929 (d) 1928
Answer: (d) 1928
27. What did the black population want in the new Constitution?
(a) A black President (b) Substantial social and economic rights
(c) Whites should be turned out of the country (d) Apartheid for the whites
Answer: (b) Substantial social and economic rights
28. Name the autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
(a) The Long Walk to Freedom(b) South Africa Wins Freedom(c) Walk to Freedom(d) Our Freedom
Answer: (a) The Long Walk to Freedom
29. With the end of apartheid, who became the first President of South African Republic?
(a) F.W. de Klerk (b) P.W. Botha (c) Nelson Mandela (d) None of these
Answer: (c) Nelson Mandela
30. On what charges was Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment?
(a) For treason(b) For breaking the laws(c) For corruption charges (d) For possessing illegal property
Answer: (a) For treason
20
 Chapter 3 – Electoral Politics
1. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
a. Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government.
b. People select the representative of their choice in an election.
c. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
d. People can indicate which policies they prefer.
Ans: Option (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.

2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?

a. India has the largest number of voters in the world.

b. India’s Election Commission is very powerful.
c. In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.
d. In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.
Ans: Option (a) India has the largest number of voters in the world.
3. Match the following:
a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date There is a fair representation of all sections of
i
because our society

Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their
b ii
STs so that representative

All candidates must have a fair chance of

c Everyone has one and only one vote so that iii
competing in elections

Party in power is not allowed to use government Some people may have moved away from the
d iv
vehicles because area where they voted last

Ans:
a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to Some people may have moved away from the
iv
date because area where they voted last

Some constituencies are reserved for SCs All candidates must have a fair chance of
b iii
and STs so that competing in elections

Everyone has one and only one vote so Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their
c ii
that representative

Party in power is not allowed to use There is a fair representation of all sections of
d i
government vehicles because our society

4. List all the different election related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them
in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. Some of these
activities are given below:
releasing election manifestos; counting of votes; making of voters’ list; election campaign;
declaration of election results; casting of votes; ordering of re-poll; announcing election
schedule; filing nomination.
Ans: Making of voters’ list → Announcing election schedule → Releasing election manifesto →
Election campaign → Filing nomination → Casting of votes → Ordering of re- poll → Counting of
votes → Declaration of election results.

21
5. Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly
constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages
of election:
a. Election campaign
Ans: Surekha needs to focus on various duties such as, ensuring that candidates do not give bribe
or threaten voters, excess amount of money is not crossed by a candidate in terms of expenditure,
candidates do not appeal for a vote based on the religion or caste, they do not use worship place
for campaign or use any government resources.
b. Polling day
Ans: She will have to cross check the voters’ list and check ID proof of the voters; booth capturing
does not take place. Ensuring that Free and fair election should be conducted.
c. Counting day
Ans: She will have to look, whether the counting is done, representatives of all parties are present
at counting so that malpractices are avoided.
6. The table below gives the proportion of different communities among the candidates who
won elections to the US Congress. Compare these to the proportion of these communities in
the population of the US.
Based on this, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress? If yes, why
and for which communities? If no, why not?

House of representatives Populations of US

(proportion of community in %) (proportion of community in %)

Blacks 8 13

Hispanics 5 13

Whites 86 70

Ans: According to the percentage in the US population, Blacks and Hispanics needs be given
reservation into the US Congress. The Blacks are having a lesser number of states, that is, 8% in
the House of representatives compared to their population, that is 13%. Hispanics need reservation
more because the number of their members in the House of Representatives is less than 5%
compared to their population, that is, 13.3%. Whites do not need any reservation since they have
more seats, that is, 86% in the House of representative compared to their population, that is 70%.
7. Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give
two facts to support your position for each of these.
a. The Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair
elections in the country.
Ans: The Election Commission of India is powerful enough to conduct free and fair elections:
 It punishes any candidate or party that violates the code of conduct.
 In Elections, Government officials work under the Election Commission and not the
government.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
Ans: There is a high level of popular participation in the elections:
 Voters have significantly raised over the past few years.
 Activities related to election over the past years have seen a greater amount of participation
from the people.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
Ans: It is certainly not very easy for any party which is in power to win an election:
 The partie which is currently ruling, loses elections routinely.
22
  Candidates who are ready to spend a greater amount of money lose elections.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Ans: Reforms are necessary in order to make our elections free and fair completely:
 To make sure that independent and small parties don't suffer in elections.
 To make sure that candidates that are having criminal records do not apply in election.

8. Chinappa was convicted for torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of
practicing untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections.
Does this decision go against the principles of democratic elections?
Ans: A person who is convicted for a crime by the court, has no right to be a part of the society,
hence they have no right to participate in the election. No, this decision will not go against the
principles of democratic elections.
9. Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there
anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would
you suggest in each case?
a. During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased
the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more
than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.
Ans: Here, representatives of each and every candidate should be present to make sure that the
votes are counted in a fair way.
b. Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for
former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters
of Indian origin.
Ans: The election commission should set up an enquiry into the case and discontinue the candidate
or party involved in distributing such pamphlets.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its
own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many
controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no
one could change those decisions.
Ans: There should be only one election commission which should be free from political pressure
and it needs to be responsible for conducting any kind of elections in the nation.
10. Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in
each case is. What should be done to correct the situation?
a. Following the announcement of elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid
to reopen the closed sugar mill.
Ans: After the announcement of the election, it is illegal to announce policy decisions according to
the Code of Conduct. The minister should be taken to task by the Election Commission.
b. Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given due attention
in Door darshan and All India Radio.
Ans: The election commission should ensure that all political parties are given equal opportunity to
appear on Door-darshan and All India Radio. The Election Commission ensures to take action
against the misuse of this media.
c. An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain the
names of 20 lakh fake voters.
Ans: The presence of the fake voters means that the elections were already pre-planned by the
authorities who prepared the electoral rolls. The election commission must supervise
the preparation of fresh electoral rolls.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters
of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.
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Ans: By using hoodlums, the political party is trying to terrorize its rivals. The election commission
should order for arrest of the hoodlums and debar the party from the elections.
11. Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and
repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these
statements?
a. Women always vote the way men tell them to. So, what is the point of giving them the right
to vote?
Ans: This statement is false, since the policy of secret ballot makes sure that an individual can vote
for whoever he/she wants. Women are fully capable of taking their own decisions and selecting the
candidate they like.
b. Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not
by competition.
Ans: Competition can work as both a deterrent and motivator for the political candidates. A risk and
fear of losing the election and a motivation for winning the elections works in favour of people.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
Ans: Educational qualification is not necessary and required to understand the people’s needs.
Therefore, there is no need for politicians to complete their graduation.

Intext Questions
Question 12. Do most leaders fulfill their election promises?
Answer During elections most of the leaders make many big promises to the people (voters) to
win their support and vote. However, after the elections, the political leaders forget their promises
and most of them do not fulfill their election promises.
Question 13.

The time is after midnight. An expectant crowd sitting for the past five hours in a chowk of the town is waiting for its
leader to come. The organisers assure and reassure the crowd that he would be here any moment. The crowd
stands up whenever a passing vehicle comes that way. It arouses hopes that he has come.
The leader is Mr. Devi Lal, chief of the Haryana Sangharsh Samiti, who was to address a meeting in Karnal on
Thursday night. The 76-year-old leader, is a very busy man these days. His day starts at 8 a.m. and ends after 11
p.m…. he had already addressed nine election meetings since morning… been constantly addressing public
meetings for the past 23 months and preparing for this election.

Jagdeep and Navpreet read this story and drew the following conclusions. Can you say which of
these are right or wrong (or if the information given in the story is inadequate to call them right or
wrong)
(i) Elections can lead to changes in the policy of the government
(ii) The Governor invited Devi Lal to become the Chief Minister because he was impressed with
his speeches.
(iii) People are unhappy with every rulling party and vote against it in the next election.
(iv) The party that wins the election forms the government.
(v) The election led to a lot of economic development in Haryana
(vi) The Congress Chief Minister need not have resigned after his party lost elections.
Answer: (i) Right (ii) Wrong (iii) Wrong (iv) Inadequate information (v) Wrong
(vi) Inadequate information
Question 14. We have seen why democracies need to have elections. But why do rulers in
non-democratic countries need to hold elections?

24
 Answer: Rulers in non-democratic countries need to hold elections because they want to show
the world that they are not unpopular and they have the support of the people of the country, and
so that their image improves in the eyes of the world.
Secondly, they want to show that their government and position has been achieved legally and
according to the constitutional provisions.
Question 15. Ah! So elections are like exams where politicians and parties know if they have
passed or failed. But who are the examiners?

Ans: The examiners in this case are the voters, who give them marks in the form of votes.
Question 16: Read these two cartoons carefully.
(a) Write the message of each of them in your own words.
Answer: (a) The cartoon shown on the left given the message
1. That the knowledge, ideas, planning and promises of a candidate are useless if he/she does
not have enough votes to win. Voting power is only with the common man, who is the decisive
factor for an election.
2. The cartoon shown on the right gives the message that during an election campaign a
candidate makes plenty of promises but he is unable to fulfil all of them. As a result, electorates
chase him to fulfil his promises.
Question 17. Why is the boundary of the Gulbarga Lok Sabha Constituency not the same
as the district boundary of Gulbarga?

Answer: The boundary of the Gulbarga Lok Sabha Constituency is not the same as the district
boundary of Gulbarga because

25
 1. The entire state of Karnataka is divided into equal Lok Sabha constituencies on the basis of
population.
2. The total area of Gulbarga district is 16,224 sq km and it is the largest district in Karnataka. The
population of Gulbarga district is 25,64,892 (census 2011). The whole Gulbarga district’s
population is more than that allotted for each Lok Sabha constituency in the state. That is why
both the boundaries are not the same.
Question 18. How many Assembly constituencies are there in the Gulbarga Lok Sabha
constituency?
Answer: There are 8 Assembly constituencies in the Gulbarga Lok Sabha Constituency.
Question 19. Like in Panchayats should we not have at least one-third seats in the
Parliament and Assemblies reserved for women?
Answer: One-third of the seats are reserved for women in the Panchayats, but unfortunately
even today representation of women in the State Assemblies and Parliament is very low. The
women constitute 50 per cent of our society, so, we need to reserve at least one-third seats in the
Assemblies and the Parliament for women. This help them to uplift their status in society.

See the map above and answer the following questions

(ii) Which states have more than 30 Lok Sabha constituencies?
Answer: The states which have more than 30 Lok Sabha constituencies are Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
(iii) Why do some states have such a large number of constituencies?
Answer: Some states have large number of constituencies because of their population. Here,
voters are in large numbers.
(iv) Why are some constituencies small in area while others are very big?
Answer: The coverage of each constituency is fixed of the basis of number of the voters. The area
does not matter. If a smaller area has equal number of voters as a big area, both will be treated as
constituencies.
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(v) Are the constituencies reserved for the SCs and STs evenly spread all over the entire
country or are there more in some areas?
Answer: The constituencies are reserved for the SCs and STs on the basis of the distribution of
their population. So, the constituencies reserved for the SCs and STs are not evenly spread all
over the entire country, but are more in some areas.
Question 20. Why are the candidates required to give a detailed statement of their
property?
Answer Candidates are required to give a detailed statement of their property at the time of
election because the Election Commission is trying to control the misuse of money power in
elections. The candidate has to give information about his assets movable and immovable, debts
to financial institutions, tax status, income and wealth. Secondly with this information the voters
will be able to know more about the candidates and make their own choices.

Question 21. Match the following features of our electoral system with the principles they reflect

Principles Features of Election System

Universal adult Franchise Each constituency has roughly the same population

Representation of weaker sections Everyone who is 18 years of age or older has a right to vote

Open political competition Anyone can form a party or contest elections

One vote one value Reservation of seats for the SCs and the STs
Answer
Principles Features of Election System

(i) Universal adult Franchise Everyone who is 18 years of age or older has a right to vote

(ii) Representation of weaker sections Reservation of seats for the SCs and the STs

(iii)Open political competition Anyone can form a party or contest elections

(iv) One vote one value Each constituency has roughly the same population

Question 22. Election result in Gulbarga

Let us go back to our example of Gulbarga. In 2004, a total of 11 candidates contested elections in
that constituency. The total eligible voters were 14.39 lakhs. Of these 8.28 lakh voters had cast
their votes. The candidate of the Congress party, Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi secured about 3.12 lakh
votes. This was only about 38% of the total votes polled. But since he had secured more votes
than anyone else, he was declared elected a Member of Parliament from Gulbarga Lok Sabha
constituency.

(i) What is the percentage of voters who had actually cast their votes?
Answer: 57.54 per cent of total voters cast their own votes.
(ii) To win an election is it necessary for a person to secure more than half the votes polled?

27
 Answer: To win an election, it is not necessary for a person to secure more than half the votes
polled, because the candidate who secures the highest number of votes from a constituency is
declared elected.
Question 23. Why are party agents present in the polling booth and the counting centre?
Answer: Party agents are present in the polling booth to ensure that the voting takes place in a
fair way and the rival candidates are not able to adopt any unfair practices. They are also present
in the counting centres to ensure that the counting is done properly without any unfair means.
Question 24. Identify the fair and the unfair electoral practices among the following
(i) A minister flags off a new train in his constituency a week before polling day.
(ii) A candidate promises that she will get a new train for her constituency if she is elected.
(iii) Supporters of a candidate take the voters to a temple and make them take an oath that they
will vote for him.
(iv) The supporters of a candidate distribute blankets in slums in return for a promise for vote.
Answer (i) Unfair electoral practice (ii) Fair electoral practice
(iii) Unfair electoral practice (iv) Unfair electoral practice
Question 25. Why does the Election Commission have so much power. Is this good for
democracy?
Answer: The Election Commission in India is very powerful so that it is able to perform its
functions in a proper manner and efficiently.
Yes, this is good for democracy. Because only a powerful and independent Election Commission
can ensure free and fair elections by preventing malpractices and unfair means in the elections.
Question 26.

Read these headlines carefully and identify which powers are used by the Election Commission in
each instance to ensure free and fair elections.
(i) Election Commission issues notification constituting 14th Lok Sabha.
Answer: Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of
elections, from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results.
(ii) Election Commission tightens norms for poll expenses.
Answer: Election Commission regulates campaigns to ensure that every political party or
candidate gets a fair and equal chance to complete. It also ensures that no party or candidate can
spend more than 25 lakhs for election in a Lok Sabha constituency and 10 lakhs for election in an
Assembly constituency.
(iii) Election Commission to visit Gujarat again, review poll arrangements.

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 Answer: During the election period, the Election Commission can order the government to follow
some guide lines, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to
win elections, or to transfer some government officials.
(iv) High Court asks Election Commission to bar ‘Criminal’ netas.
Answer: Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of
elections.
(v) Election Commission shoots down Home Minister advice on poll reforms.
Answer: Election Commission enjoys the kind of independence that the judiciary enjoys. It is not
supposed to work on the advice of the Home Minister. During the election period, the Election
commission can order the government to follow some guidelines, to prevent use and misuse of the
governmental power to enhance its chances to win elections, or to transfer some government
officials.
(vi) Photo I cards not mandatory in Bihar polls.
Answer: Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of elections and control of
elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results. It also includes the
powers relating to the identification of the voters.
(vii) Election Commission accepts new Haryana DGP.
Answer: During the election period, the Election Commission can order the government to follow
some guidelines, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to win
elections, or to transfer some government officials.
(viii) Election Commission will seek power to censure political ads.
Answer: Election Commission implements the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or
party that violates it.
(ix) Election Commission says no immediate plan to ban Exist Polls.
Answer: Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections
from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results. It also includes power regarding
the control of the Exist Polls.
(x) Election Commission orders repoll in 398 more booths.
Answer: Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections
from the announcement of elections and order to repoll to the declaration of results.
(xi) Election Commission to keep closer eye on hidden poll costs.
Answer: It implements election laws and the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or party
that violates it. Thus, every party or candidate can get a fair and equal chance to compete.

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Question 27. The leader is coming out of a press conference, “What was need to say that
we have distributed tickets only amongst suitable and winnable family relations?” Do you
think that family politics is confined to only a few states or parties?
Answer Family politics on Dynastic politics is not a new phenomenon in Indian politics, but it has
become an increasingly wide reaching one in recent times. It is more or less found in each and
every state and party in India. Almost every political party in India has leaders whose sons and
daughters have entered politics, most of them without much political experience.
Question 28.

Titled Electoral Campaigns’, this cartoon was drawn in the Latin American context. Does this apply
to India and to other democracies in the world?
Answer: Yes, this cartoon can be applicable to India and other democracies of the world. Now-a-
days, candidates who spend a lot of money on ‘buying votes’ often win the election. Although the
Election Commission has specified the amount of money to be spent for both
Parliamentary and Assembly elections, but there is always excessive use of money by the rich
candidates and big parties. This cartoon suggests the misuse of money power in Parliamentary
democracy.
Question 29.

(i) Is this an accurate picture of what happens to the voter before and after elections?
(ii) Must this always happen in a democracy?
(iii) Can you think of examples when this did not happen?
Answer (i) Yes, this is an accurate picture of what happens to the voter before and after election.
(ii) No, not always, but most of the time it happens in a democracy.Before election, the candidate
tries to appease the voters by false promises. After the election, the elected leader forgets the
demands of the common man.
(iii) No. I cannot think of examples when this did not happen.
Question 30. Here are some facts on Indian elections. Comment on each of these to say whether
they reflect the strength or the weakness of our electoral system
(i) The Lok Sabha has always had less than 10 per cent women members.
(ii) The Election Commission often refuses to accept the government’s advice about when the
elections should be held.
(iii) The current Lok Sabha has more than 145 members whose assets are more than 1 crore.

30
 (iv) After losing an election the Chief Minister said. ” I respect the people verdict”.
Answer (i) It is the weakness of our electoral system which sends only 10 per cent women
members to the Lok Sabha while the population of women is nearly 50 per cent of the total
population.
(ii) It is the strength of our electoral system which has given the power to the Election Commission
to refuse or to accept the advice of the ruling party about the election dates.
(iii) This is the weakness of our electoral system which does not give equal chance to both poor
and rich. Those candidates who are rich, have a better chance of winning than the poor in our
country.
(iv) This is the strength of our electoral system which enjoys the faith of both the defeated and
winning candidates. Barring very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually
accepted as ‘people’s verdict’ by the defeated party.

Multiple Chioce Questions

1. A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and candidates during elections
is called:
(a) Constituency (b) Rigging (c) Code of conduct (d) Turnout
Answer: (c) Code of conduct

2. What is the Electoral Roll?

(a) The list of those who are eligible to vote
(b) The list of those who are contesting election
(c) The list of those who are not eligible to vote
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) The list of those who are eligible to vote

3. Who is responsible for free and fair elections in India?

(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Election Commissioner (d) Council of Ministers
Answer: (c) Election Commissioner

4. Who is responsible for free and fair elections in India?

(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Election Commissioner (d) Council of Ministers
Answer: (c) Election Commissioner

5. Which of the following has the largest Lok Sabha constituency in India?
(a) Maharashtra (b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Himachal Pradesh (d) Bihar
Answer: (b) Uttar Pradesh

6.What is the tenure of the Lok Sabha?

(a) 9 years (b) 4 years (c) 5 years (d) 6 years
Answer: (c) 5 years

7. ‘‘Save Democracy’’ slogan was given by which of the following political party in 1977 Lok Sabha
elections?
(a) Congress Party (b) Janata Party (b) Telugu Desam Party (d) Left Front
Answer: (b) Janata Party

8. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

(a) All citizens above the age of 21 can vote in an election
(b) Every citizen has the right to vote regardless of caste religion or gender
(c) Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied the right to vote in rare situations
(d) It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all eligible voters put in the voters list.

31
Answer: (a) All citizens above the age of 21 can vote in an election

9. An electoral malpractice in which a person assumes the identity of another for unlawful
pusposes is:
(a) Incumbent (b) Rigging (c) Impersonation (d) Turnact
Answer: (c) Impersonation

10. Which candidate is declared elected?

(a) One who secures the highest number of votes from a constituency
(b) One who secures two-third majority
(c) One who secures 1/4 of the total votes cast
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) One who secures the highest number of votes from a constituency

11. What is a set of norms and guidelines, which is to be followed by political parties and
contesting candidates during the election time, called?
(a) Discipline Roll (b) Code of Conduct (c) Conduct rules (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (b) Code of Conduct

12. What are the details the candidates have to give in the legal declaration before contesting the
elections?
(a) Serious criminal cases pending against them
(b) Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family
(c) Educational qualification of the candidate
(d) All the above
Answer: (c) Educational qualification of the candidate

13. Constituencies called ‘wards’ are made for the election to

(a) Parliament (b) State Legislative Assembly
(c) State Legislative Council (d) Panchayats and municipal bodies
Answer: (d) Panchayats and municipal bodies

14. What is an election held for only one constituency to fill the vacancy caused due to the death
or resignation of a member called?
(a) By-election (b) Mid-term election (c) General election (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) By-election

15. What is meant by the term ‘constituency’?

(a) Place where the copy of constitution is kept
(b) A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha
(c) A body of voters (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha

16. What was the promise Devi Lal made to the farmers and small businessmen?
(a) He would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen
(b) He would lessen the rate of interest on their loans
(c) He would modernise agriculture
(d) He would provide free seeds and pesticides to them
Answer: (a) He would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen

17. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
(a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government
(b) People elect the representatives of their choice in an election
(c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary
(d) Elections enable people to indicate which policies they prefer
32
Answer: (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary

18. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections is false?
(a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government
(b) People select the representatives of their choice in an election
(c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary
(d) People can indicate which policies they prefer
Answer: (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary

19. Which is the new reform introduced in the electoral process by the Election Commission?
(a) Indelible ink (b) Electronic voting machine (c) Polling booths (d) Voters’ list
Answer: (b) Electronic voting machine

20. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

(a) The Chief Justice of India (b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The President of India (d) The people of India
Answer: (c) The President of India

21. Which one of the following provisions fails to ensure fair and equal chance to compete to
candidates and political parties?
(a) No party or candidate can bribe or threaten voters
(b) No party or candidate is bound by the model code of conduct
(c) No party of candidates can use government resources for election campaign
(d) Nobody can appeal to voters in the name of caste or religion

Answer: (b) No party or candidate is bound by the model code of conduct

22. Reserved Constituencies ensures:

(a) Right to equality (b) Proper representation to all religious groups
(c) Proper representation to the weaker sections of society (d) None of these
Answer: (c) Proper representation to the weaker sections of society

23. Which of the following statements is against the democratic process of elections?
(a) Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections
(b) Elections must be held regularly immediately after the term is over
(c) The right to vote should be given to the selected people only
(d) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner

Answer: (c) The right to vote should be given to the selected people only

24. In our country, elections are conducted by an independent and powerful body which isknown as:
(a) Election Commission (b) Parliament (c) Judiciary (d) Lok Sabha
Answer: (a) Election Commission

25. Which among the following is not correct?

(a) The Election Commission conducts all elections for the Parliament and Assemblies
(b) The Election Commission directs and controls the preparation of electoral roll
(c) The Election Commission cannot fix the election dates
(d) The Election Commission does scrutiny of nomination papers

Answer: (c) The Election Commission cannot fix the election dates

26. Which of the following is not allowed while carrying out election campaign?
(a) Giving money to voters to cast vote for candidates (b) Using TV channels
(c) Door to door canvassing (d) Contacting voters on phone

33
Answer: (a) Giving money to voters to cast vote for candidates

27. In India, who votes in a larger proportion in the elections?

(a) Poor and illiterate (b) Rich and privileged (c) Educated people (d) Women
Answer: (a) Poor and illiterate

28. Name the body which conducts the elections in India.

(a) Supreme Court (b) Parliament (c) Cabinet (d) Election Commission
Answer: (d) Election Commission

29. Which of the options given below are applicable to the principle of Universal Adult Franchise?
(a) Only rich and educated can vote (b) Only men can vote
(c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote (d) Only employed people can vote
Answer: (c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote

30. Which of the options given below are applicable to the principle of Universal Adult Franchise?
(a) Only rich and educated can vote (b) Only men can vote
(c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote (d) Only employed people can vote
Answer: (c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote

31. In India, elections for which of these bodies are held after every five years?
(a) Rajya Sabha (b) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (c) Vidhan Parishad (d) Only Lok Sabha
Answer: (b) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha

32. Which of these is not a condition of a democratic election?

(a) Everyone is allowed to vote
(b) There are political parties to contest elections
(c) The candidate not preferred by people gets elected
(d) Elections are held at regular intervals
Answer: (c) The candidate not preferred by people gets elected

33. Which of these choices are made by voters in elections to a representative democracy?
(a) Voters can choose who will make laws for them
(b) They can choose who will form the government
(c) They can choose the party whose policies will guide the government
(d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above

34. Who led the ‘Nyaya Yudh’?

(a) Chaudhary Charan Singh (b) Chaudhary Devi Lal (c) Ajit Singh (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Chaudhary Devi Lal

34
 Chapter 4 – Working of Institutions
1. If you are elected as the President of India which of the following decision can you take on
your own?
(a) Select the person you like as Prime Minister.
(b) Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in Lok Sabha.
(c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the Houses.
(d) Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.
Ans: (c) Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both the houses

2. Who among the following is a part of the political executive?

(a) District Collector (b) Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs
(c) Home Minister (d) Director General of Police
Ans: (c) Home Minister
3. Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false?
(a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court
(b) Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Constitution
(c) Judiciary is independent of the Executive
(d) Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated
Ans: (a) Every law passed by the Parliament needs approval of the Supreme Court.

4. Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country?
(a) The Supreme Court (b) The President (c) The Prime Minister (d) The Parliament
Ans: (d) The Parliament
5. Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released:
A new policy is being made to increase the jute
a i Ministry of Defence
exports from the country.

Telephone services will be made more accessible Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Public
b ii
to rural areas. Distribution.

The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public

c iii Ministry of Health.
Distribution System will go down.

d A pulse polio campaign will be launched. iv Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The allowances of the soldiers posted on high Ministry of Communications and

e v
altitudes will be increased. Information Technology.
Ans:

A new policy is being made to increase the jute

a Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
exports from the country. iv

Telephone services will be made more accessible to Ministry of Communications and

b v
rural areas. Information Technology.

The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Public
c ii
Distribution System will go down. Distribution.

d A pulse polio campaign will be launched. iii Ministry of Health

The allowances of the soldiers posted on high

e i Ministry of Defence
altitudes will be increased.

35
6. Of all the institutions that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the
powers on each of the following matters.
(a) Decision on allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigation etc.
and different welfare activities for the citizens
Ans (a): Lok Sabha (The Finance Ministry)
(b) Considers the recommendation of a Committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange
Ans (b): The Parliament
(c) Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments
Ans (c): The Supreme Court
(d) Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake.
Ans (d): The Executive

7. Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most
appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.
(a) In a Parliamentary democracy only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become
the Prime Minister.
(b) Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers even before the expiry
of their term.
(c) Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President there is no need for it.
(d) Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve lot of expenditure on election.
Ans: In a Parliamentary democracy, the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can only
become the Prime Minister, in order to make sure that the Prime Minister secures a majority support.
This will help to prevent him/her from being either a dictator or a puppet, because he/she has to
work along with a council of ministers.

8. Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day
and making big changes in the state. Imran said this is what the country needs. Rizwan said
this kind of a personal rule without institutions is dangerous. Shankar said all this is a
fantasy. No minister can do anything in one day. What would be your reaction to such a film?
Ans: This is not a realistic film. A single man cannot do anything all alone. A personal rule without
institutions is dangerous. He has to follow various procedures and guidelines written in the
constitution.

9. A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act
as leaders of two political parties. She gave them an option: Each one could choose to have
a majority either in the mock Lok Sabha or in the mock Rajya Sabha. If this choice was given
to you, which one would you choose and why?
Ans: I would like to choose a majority in the Lok Sabha as it has more power compared to Rajya
Sabha. Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the citizen of India. The leader of political party
who has majority in Lok Sabha is appointed as prime minister.

10. After reading the example of the reservation order, three students had different reactions
about the role of the judiciary. Which view, according to you, is a correct reading of the role
of judiciary?
(a) Srinivas argues that since the Supreme Court agreed with the government, it is not independent.
(b) Anjaiah says that judiciary is independent because it could have given a verdict against the
government order. The Supreme Court did direct the government to modify it.
(c) Vijaya thinks that the judiciary is neither independent nor conformist, but acts as a mediator
between opposing parties. The court struck a good balance between those who supported and those
who opposed the order.
Ans: Option b) In my view, Anjaiah is correct, according to the role of the judiciary.
36
Intext Questions
Question 11. Is every office memorandum a major political decision? If not, what made this one
different?
Answer: Every office memorandum is not a major political decision. Most of them are routine in
nature. This office memorandum relating to reservation for the Socially and Economically
Backward Classes (SEBC) in government services was different because it affected all the
sections of society, the SEBC’s in a positive way and the other classes in a negative way. This
reservation issue was a major source of controversy for several years and led to many agitations
and court cases.

Question 12 .(i) Which points, other than the ones mentioned above, do you recall about these
institutions from the previous class? Discuss in class.
(ii) Can you think of a major decision made by your State Government? How were the Governor,
the Council of Ministers the State Assembly and the courts involved in that decision?

Answer :(ii) An example of a major decision is given here. There have been many others. A
major decision taken by the Uttar Pradesh State Government in 2008 was not to allow the
Reliance Group to open their retail shops selling vegetables and fruits in the states, as it would
harm the interests of the small traders selling these items. This order was approved by the Council
of Ministers and the order was promulgated by the Governor. Since it did not involve finances, it
was not raised in the State Assembly. The courts were in no way involved, as it did not have any
Constitutional implications.

Question 13. Reservation debate was such an important issue during 1990-91 that advertisers
used this theme to sell their products. Can you spot some references to political events and
debates in these Amul Butter hoardings?

Answer: The upper hoarding mentions , ” No reservation for this quota….

Amul the riot taste”. This refers to the riots which took place when the reservation quota was made
into a law. Similarly, the lower hoarding says, “Reserved for this outstanding Butter Classic” which
again refers to the reservation issue.

Question 14. Now I can see clearly. That is why they talk of Mandalisation of politics. Don’t they?
Answer: In the LoK Sabha elections of 1989, the Janata Dal Party in its election manifesto
promised that if voted to power it would implement the Mandal Commission Report. With this
announcement Mandalisation of politics took place and voting was influenced by the Mandal
Commission Report.

Question 15. Who did what in this case of reservations for backward classes?
Supreme Court Made formal announcement about this decision

37
Cabinet Implemented the decision by issuing an order

President Took the decision to give 27 % job reservations

Government Officials Upheld reservations as valid

Answer :
Supreme Court Upheld reservations as valid

Cabinet Took the decision to give 27 % job reservations

President Made formal announcement about this decision

Government Officials Implemented the decision by issuing an order

Question 16. Which institutions are at work in the running of your school? Would it be better of
one person alone took all the decisions regarding management of your school?
Answer: The Principal’s office, the school’s administrative office the different departments like
sports department, medical room, library and teachers can be considered the institutions of the
school which perform different functions.
No, it would not be good if one person takes all the decisions regarding the management of our
school because a large number of activities are going on all the time. It is not possible for one
person to take proper decisions on all issues. Even if one person does take these decisions, he or
she might not be able to take a proper decision as it might be taken in haste or without
understanding its implications.

Question 17. What is the point of having so much debate and discussion in the Parliament when
we know that the view of the ruling party is going to prevail.
Answer: Though, the view of the ruling party prevails in Parliament, even then we should have
debates and discussions because this helps to brine out the positive and negative points of the
issue under consideration. The positive aspects might be adopted by the ruling party, and similarly
negative aspects could be omitted even if the entire bill is not changed.
Also it is not certain that the ruling party is not open to ideas, and discussions might influence the
ruling party to adopt new ideas.

Question 18. When the Parliament is in session, there is a special programme everyday on
Doordarshan about the proceedings in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Watch the proceedings or
read about them in the newspapers and note the following
(a) Powers of the two Houses of Parliament.
(b) Role of the Speaker.
(c) Role of the Opposition.

Answer: (a) Powers of the Two Houses of Parliament Details are given in the Constitution.
However, we should know that the Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the voters and so
are the final voice in the passing of any laws. The Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected or
nominated and they function mostly in an advisory capacity. But the consent of both Houses is
required for passing any Bill, making a law, or making amendments to the Constitution.
(b) Role of the Speaker (Lok Sabha) The Speaker’s main functions
1) Regulate the proceedings of the House.
2) Maintain discipline in the House.
3) Supervise Parliamentary Committees.
4) Perform administrative duties like receiving documents, receiving petitions, etc which are
addressed to the House.
5) Exercise powers under the anti-defection law.
38
6) Exercise other powers as given in the Constitution.

(c) Role of the Opposition The major function of the opposition is to act as a check on the ruling
party so that any faults of theirs are exposed and any mistakes made by the ruling party are
corrected. They can even bring a no-confidence motion against the government if it is seen to be
not functioning properly.

Question 19. The race to become minister is not new. Here is a cartoon depicting ministerial
aspirants waiting to get a berth in Nehru’s Cabinet after the 1962 elections. Why do you think
political leaders are so keen to become ministers?

Answer: Political leaders are keen to become ministers for the following reasons
(a) They want to fulfil the promises made to the electorate at the time of elections. In this way, at
the time of the next election, they will be in a favourable position to win again.
(b) Becoming a minister gives them many additional powers which they would not have if they
were only MPs.
(c) They can fulfil their ambitions and also help many of their family members, associates and
friends by sanctioning various schemes which give benefit to them.

Question 20. (a) List the names of five Cabinet Ministers and their ministries each at the Union
level and in your state.
(b) Meet the Mayor or Municipal Chairperson of your town or the President of Zila Parishad of
your district and ask him or her about how the city, town or district is administered.

Answer: Names of five Cabinet Ministers and their ministries at the Union level are given below
Name Ministeries

Manmohan Singh Atomic Energy, Space, Personnel, Planning and Public Grievances and Pensions

A.K. Antony Defence

Sharad Pawar Agriculture

P.Chidambaram Finance

Sushil kumar Shinde Home affairs

Names of five Cabinet Ministers and their ministries at the state level in Uttar Pradesh are given
below:

Name Ministries

39
Akhilesh Yadav Those which have not been allotted to other ministers

Mohammad Azam Khan Urban Development, Parliamentary Affairs, Minority Affairs, Urban Poverty Alleviation

Shivpal Yadav Public Works and Irrigation

Ahmed Hasan Health and Family Welfare and Women and Child Welfare

Dr Waqar Ahmed Shah Health and Family Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Labour

Question 21. This cartoon depicts a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in
the early 1970s, at the peak of her popularity. Do you think similar cartoons could be drawn about
other Prime Ministers who followed her?

Answer : No, I do not think that similar cartoons could be drawn about any other Prime Minister
afterwards. She was a dominant personality and overshadowed everybody else in the Cabinet.

Question 22. Why does the book refer to the President as ‘she? Have we ever had a woman
President in our country?

Answer : The book refers to the President as she to show that the highest office in India can also
be occupied by a woman.
Yes, we have had a woman President in our country. Pratibha Patil has been the only
woman President of our country.

Question 23. Did you protest when the book referred to the Prime Minister as he? Have we not
had a woman Prime Minister? Why should we assume that all the important positions are held by
men?
Answer No, I did not protest, when the book referred to the Prime Minister as he because at
present we have a male person as a Prime Minister. When we are referring to the post in general
we can use her/him simultaneously to show that the said post can be occupied by either males or
females.
Yes, we should not assume that all important positions are held by men, women too occupy
high positions but that is an exception and not the rule, generally speaking in most of the cases
important positions are indeed occupied by men. There is a need to increase the participation of
women in politics by providing them at least 1/3rd reservation in the State Assemblies and
Parliament.

Question 24. What is better for a democracy: a Prime Minister who can do whatever he wishes or
a Prime Minister who needs to consult other leaders and parties?

Answer Both the extreme cases, one in which the Prime Minister can do whatever he wishes and
the second case in which the Prime Minister has to consult other leaders and parties are not totally
correct. If a Prime Minister is free to do as he wishes, there is a possibility that he might develop
authoritarian or dictatorial tendencies.
40
On the other hand, if all the time he has to consult other leaders and parties it would hamper
working of the Prime Minister and the government’s functioning. Therefore, he should have
freedom of taking decisions but be should also seek the consultation of other leaders and parties
on important issues.

Question 25. Eliamma, Annakutti and Marymol read the section on the President. Each of them
had a question. Can you help them in answering these questions?

(a) Eliamma Minister disagree about some policy? Does the view of the Prime Minister always
prevail?
(b) Annakutti I find it funny that the President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. I
doubt if the President can even lift a heavy gun. What is the point in making the President the
Commander?
(c) Marymol I would say, what is the point in having a President at all if all the real powers are
with the Prime Minister?

Answer: (a) Answer to Eliamma The Prime Minister’s view prevails. However, if the President
does not agree to some Bill sent for approval, she is empowered to send it back for
reconsideration to the Parliament, giving the reasons for doing so. Now, if the Parliament approves
it once again, the President cannot stop the Bill. She will now have to approve it.

(b) Answer to Annakutti The Supreme Commander is the one, who gives the orders to fight a
war. A commander is not always required to use firearms; only she should have the wisdom
(usually after consultation with the senior members of the government and armed forces) to issue
the necessary orders.

(c) Answer to Marymol The President is a symbol of the power of the country. The President is
required to take decisions on appointing the Prime Minister, who must have majority support. The
President has many other functions like appointing Governors of States representing India as
Head of State, etc.

Question 25. It is quite common in the USA for judges to be nominated on the basis of well-known
political opinions and affiliations. This fictitious advertisement appeared in the USA in 2005 when
President Bush was considering various candidates for nomination to the Supreme Court.

(a) What does cartoon say about the independence of the judiciary?
(b) Why do such cartoons not appear in our country?
(c) Does this demonstrate the independence of our judiciary?
Answer: (a) It shows that in the USA, the Judiciary is not considered to be independent, in the
eyes of the people. It voices the feeling that justices of the Supreme Court there are appointed on
their being supportive of the President. Their qualifications and experience are not so much
important for their appointment to the US Supreme Court.
41
(b) Such cartoons do not appear in India because
1) The appointment of justices to the Supreme Court is by a specified procedure which is
transparent and does not favour anybody having sympathies with the government.
2) Indian judiciary is considered to be among one of the most independent judiciaries in the world.
3) Judges normally do not speak in favour of or against any politician either of the ruling party or
the opposition.
(c) Yes, this definitely demonstrates that our judiciary is independent.

Question 26. Why are people allowed to go to courts against the government’s decisions?
Answer: Sometimes, the actions of the government or a law passed by the government might
hurt the public interest or might be against the spirit of the Constitution. In such cases, citizens
have the right to go to court to get justice. Such cases are called Public Interest Litigations. (PILS)
• In case of violation of Fundamental Rights by the government, the citizen can go to the courts for
justice.
• The Right to Constitutional Remedies provides that if the Fundamental Rights are violated, the
citizen can go to court to seek a remedy.
Question 27. Give one reason each to argue that Indian judiciary is independent with respect to
(a) Appointment of judges. (b) Removal of judges. (c) Powers of the judiciary.

Answer 2 (a) Appointment of Judges The judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are
appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and in Consultation with
the Chief Justice of India. In actual practice, the senior judges of the Supreme Court select new
judges for the Supreme Court as well as for the High Courts. Here seniority and merit are the main
considerations with hardly any scope for manipulation by anybody.

(b) Removal of Judges The procedure of removal of judges of the Supreme Court and High
Courts is very difficult to actually carry out.They can be removed only on the basis of an
impeachment motion passed by two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament separately. So
removal of judges cannot be Done arbitrarily.

(c) Powers of the Judiciary The powers are clearly spelt out in the Constitution and they cannot
be diluted by Parliament or by any Presidential order. So no politician can reduce or increase their
powers. The Supreme Court has the power to declare illegal any law made by Parliament if it goes
against the Constitution.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The president of India is elected by
(a) Direct Election by citizens 18 years of age (b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College
(c) The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College
2. Which of these options is/are correct regarding the powers of the Prime Minister?
(a) He chairs the Cabinet meetings (b) He distributes work to the different departments
(c) He can dismiss ministers (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
3. Which organ of the government has the power to interpret the Constitution?
(a) Supreme Court (b) District Court (c) High Court (d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: (a) Supreme Court
4. Who among the following is a part of the political executive?
(a) Home Minister (b) District Collector
(c) Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (d) Director General of Police

42
Answer: (a) Home Minister
5. Whom does the President appoint as the Prime Minister?
(a) Anyone he likes (b) Leader of the majority party
(c) MP who has secured the largest number of votes (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Leader of the majority party
6. What is a Public Interest Litigation?
(a) Filing a case in the court in the interest of the public
(b) Reviewing of Supreme Court judgements
(c) Procedure of removal of a judge
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Filing a case in the court in the interest of the public
7. Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts?
(a) President, according to his own wishes
(b) President, on the advice of the PM
(c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of India
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of India
8. Which of these disputes can the Supreme Court take?
(a) Between citizens of the country (b) Between citizens and the government
(c) Between two or more state governments (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
9. Two features of Indian judicial system are:
(a) Independent Judiciary (b) Integrated Judiciary (c) Dependent Judiciary (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
10. For how long can the Rajya Sabha delay a Money Bill?
(a) 15 days (b) 1 month (c) 3 months (d) 14 days
Answer: (d) 14 days
11. Which of these are correct so far as powers of the Parliament are concerned, apart from
making laws?
(a) Exercising control over the government (b) Controlling finance of the country
(c) Serving as the highest forum of discussion and debate (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above
12. Why did people react strongly to the Mandal Commission Report?
(a) It left out many backward communities (b) It affected thousands of job opportunities
(c) Some high castes wanted to be included in it (d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: (b) It affected thousands of job opportunities
13. When was the Second Backward Class Commission appointed?
(a) 1989 (b) 1979 (c) 1999 (d) 2001
Answer: (b) 1979
14. President of India is:
(a) Head of the Government (b) Head of the State
(c) Head of the parliament (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Head of the State
15. Which of the following statements is not true?
(a) The Judiciary safeguards the laws (b) The Legislature implements the laws
(c) The political executives are more powerful than the permanent executives
(d) The permanent executives comprises the civil servants

43
Answer: (b) The Legislature implements the laws
16. What is the government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties called?
(a) Cooperation government (b) Coalition government
(c) Consensus government (d) Cooperative government
Answer: (b) Coalition government
17. What is the tenure of office of the Prime Minister?
(a) 5 years (b) 6 years (c) As long as he wants (d) He does not have a fixed tenure
Answer: (d) He does not have a fixed tenure
18. Why does the political executive have more powers than the permanent executive?
(a) Because hardly any expertise is required in taking policy decisions
(b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people
(c) Political leaders are more educated
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people
19. What are the two types of ‘Executives’ in India?
(a) Political Executive (b) Permanent Executive (c) Judicial Executive (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
20. What does the Supreme Court say over the Parliament’s power of amendment of the
Constitution?
(a) Parliament can amend the entire Constitution
(b) Parliament can amend only the basic structure of the Constitution
(c) Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution (d) None of the above
Answer: (c) Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution
21. What is the power of the Supreme Court to judge the constitutional validity of a law passed by
the Parliament or an action of the Executive called?
(a) Judicial Revision (b) Judicial Review (c) Judicial Consent (d) Judicial Permission
Answer: (b) Judicial Review
22. How can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed?
(a) By the Supreme Court itself (b) By the Parliament through impeachment
(c) By the President alone (d) By the Police
Answer: (b) By the Parliament through impeachment
23. Apart from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who else constitutes the Parliament?
(a) Prime Minister (b) Chief Minister (c) Governor (d) President
Answer: (d) President
24. What do the Civil Servants do?
(a) They take important policy decisions (b) They implement the ministers’ decisions
(c) They settle the disputes (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) They implement the ministers’ decisions
25. What is meant by ‘Office Memorandum’?
(a) Order issued by the Government of India (b) Memoirs of the leaders of the past
(c) Important defence documents (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Order issued by the Government of India
26. What is ‘Parliament’?
(a) Assembly of elected representatives at the national level(b) A body consisting of appointed ministers
(c) Body comprising judges (d) Assembly of only appointed members
Answer: (a) Assembly of elected representatives at the national level

44
 Chapter 5 – Democratic Rights
1. Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a fundamental right?
(a) Workers from Bihar go to the Punjab to work on the farms
(b) Christian missions set up a chain of missionary schools
(c) Men and women government employees get the same salary
(d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
Ans: (d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
2. Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
(a) Freedom to criticize the government
(b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
(c) Freedom to start a movement to change the government
(d) Freedom to oppose the central values of the Constitution
Ans: (b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
3. Which of the following rights is available under the Indian Constitution?
(a) Right to work
(b) Right to adequate livelihood
(c) Right to protect one’s culture
(d) Right to privacy
Ans: (c) Right to protect one’s culture
4. Name the Fundamental Right under which each of the following rights falls:
(a) Freedom to propagate one’s religion
Ans: Right to Freedom of Religion
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all persons in India.
(b) Right to life
Ans: Right to freedom
“No person shall be deprived of his life or his personal liberty except according to a procedure
established by law,” according to Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which is a Fundamental Right.

(c) Abolition of untouchability

Ans: Right to equality
Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability and its practice in any form is forbidden.
(d) Ban on bonded labour
Ans: Right against exploitation
Rights against exploitation is a Fundamental Right which ensures the ban on bonded labor or forced
labor.
5. Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more
valid? Give reasons for your preference.
(a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
(b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy.
(c) Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy.
Ans: (a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
Every democratic country recognizes the rights of its citizens. Every country that gives its citizens
rights is not a democracy, but it is necessary for a democracy to give its citizens rights.

6. Are these restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer.
(a) Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of
security

45
Ans: This is justified. All citizens have the right to freedom, which allows them to go freely
everywhere in the country. However, some regions are prohibited for security concerns, as the
freedom of movement of every citizen could endanger India's security. This is done to guarantee
that the risk of loss of life and property is kept to a minimum.

(b) Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local
population.
Ans: In some circumstances, this is justified in order to preserve the cultural or ethnic character of
the local population.
(c) The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the
next elections.
Ans: This cannot be justified because it is against the freedom of speech and expression of the
author. Every person in the country has a right to freedom of speech and expression.

7. Manoj went to a college to apply for admission into an MBA course. The clerk refused to
take his application and said “You, the son of a sweeper, wish to be a manager! Has anyone
done this job in your community? Go to the municipality office and apply for a sweeper’s
position”. Which of Manoj’s fundamental rights are being violated in this instance? Spell
these out in a letter from Manoj to the district collector.
Ans: ‘Right to Equality’ and ‘Right to Freedom’ are being violated in Manoj’s case.
To.
The District Collector,
Kakinada District
Sub: Redressal required of violation of my Right to Equality for admission to a College
Dear Mam,
I wish to inform you that my admission for pursuing a course leading to the MBA degree in ABC
college in your district has been refused because the clerk of the college said, “You are the son of
a sweeper. Nobody from your community has done such a course,” This is totally unjust and a
violation of my right to Equality. I am fully qualified to apply for the course, having already
completed my graduation.
You are requested to look into this problem and talk to the authorities of the concerned college to
accept my application.
Thank you,
Sincerely yours,
Sd/-
(Manoj)
8. When Madhurima went to the property registration office, the Registrar told her, “You can’t
write your name as Madhurima Banerjee d/o A. K. Banerjee. You are married, so you must
give your husband’s name. Your husband’s surname is Rao. So your name should be
changed to Madhurima Rao.” She did not agree. She said “If my husband’s name has not
changed after marriage, why should mine?” In your opinion who is right in this dispute? And
why?
Ans: Madhurima is right. She has the right to use her Maiden surname or her husbands surname.
She cannot be forced to change her name. She enjoys the right to equality.

9. Thousands of tribals and other forest dwellers gathered at Piparia in Hoshangabad

district in Madhya Pradesh to protest against their proposed displacement from the
Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.

They argue that such a displacement is an attack on their livelihood and beliefs.
Government claims that their displacement is essential for the development of the area and

46
for protection of wildlife. Write a petition on behalf of the forest dwellers to the NHRC, a
response from the government and a report of die NHRC on this matter.

Answer:- Letter from the Tribals to NHRC

To,

The Chairman,
National Human Right Commission,
Delhi,India
Date:______________
Subject: Displacement of Tribals
Respected Sir/Ma'am,

I want to draw your attention to plight of forest dwellers in Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife
Sanctuary and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The government wants to display these people.
The proposal of the government is a violation of human rights of the forest dwellers. It is asking
away their right to livelihood and to follow their beliefs. There has been alternative suggestion by
the government with regard to future of the forest dwellers. We urge you please look into the
matter and provide the required help to this people.
Thank you Sir/Ma'am.
Regards,
[_________your name]
Priparia, Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh
_______________________________

Response from the Government

◕The government had given a warning to the people two years ago.
◕ There has been an alarming rise in poaching, cutting of trees and killing of wildlife.
◕ Environment pollution has also increased.
◕ It is government duty to protect the endangered species.
◕ Offered jobs to them.
__________________________________

NHRC's Report
◕Both sides have a point.
◕The tribals have tradition, practice and decades of residance behind them. It is there world and life.
◕Sudden uprooting belief and emotionally disturbed turn them into vagabonds and force them into
jobs occupations which they have never followed.
◕The government is right in its concern for the wildlife. It is its duty to save certain species from
becoming extinct. Poachers are having a field day, and every day the environment is threatened.

10. Draw a web interconnecting different rights discussed in this chapter. For example right to
freedom of movement is connected to the freedom of occupation. One reason for this is that
freedom of movement enables a person to go to place of work within one’s village or city or

47
to another village, city or state. Similarly this right can be used for pilgrimage, connected with
freedom to follow one’s religion. Draw a circle for each right and mark arrows that show
connection between or among different rights. For each arrow, give an example that shows
the linkage.
Answer:

The arrow labels details are given below

1. In case somebody is not allowed to work in a particular job even though selected, he can
approach the court for restoring this right.
2. If somebody is not allowed access to a public place because of his caste, he can approach the
court for restoring this right.
3. If a person is accused for a crime, he can engage a lawyer to defend him.
4. Freedom to work anywhere in the country.
5. Establishing an educational institution for a minority community.
6. Somebody going for a pilgrimage.
7. We can conduct a peaceful demonstration in a group against some government policies which
affect us adversely.

Intext Questions

Question 11. If you were a Serb, would you support what Milosevic did in Kosovo? Do you think
this project of establishing Serb Dominance was good for the Serbs?

Answer: If I were a Serb, I would not support what Milosevic did in Kosovo because what he did
was very narrow minded and discriminatory towards the Albanians. No, this method of establishing
Serb dominance was not good for the Serbs because this action of Milosevic led to conflict and
hostility between the Serbs and the Albanians.
The Albanians were massacred by the army of their own country. Ultimately, Milosevic lost power
and was tried by the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity.

Question 12. For each of the three cases of life without rights mention an example from India.
These could include the following
• Newspaper reports on custodial violence.
• Newspaper reports on force-feeding of prisoners who go on hunger strikes.
• Ethnic massacre in any part of our country.
• Reports regarding unequal treatment of women.
List the similarities and differences between the earlier case and the Indian example. It is not
necessary that for each of these cases you must find an exact Indian parallel.
Answer:(i) Indian example compared to ‘Prison in Guantanamo Bay’: A news report in ‘The
Hindu’ newspaper dated 20th October, 2006:

CBI to Probe Custodial Violence Case

48
According to the petitioner, there was a petty quarrel between her children and her neighbour’s
children on 5th February, 2004, for which the latter preferred a complaint with the police.
Due to coercion from the complainant’s relative, who worked at the Tamil Nadu House in New
Delhi, the police summoned the petitioner and her husband, S Annakodi, to the police station on
the next day. Mr Annakodi was brutally beaten up by a sub-inspector there. He was produced
before the Judicial Magistrate and let out on bail the same day.
Immediately, his wife took him to a private clinic where the doctor advised her to admit him in the
General Hospital. As Ms Muniyammal did not have enough money she took her husband back
home where he died at 2 am on 8th February.

Similarity
There is custodial violence in both cases.
Differences
(a) The violence in the Indian case is in the Police Station, whereas in the first case it was in
prison.
(b) In the Indian case, the person was visiting the police station on a summons, whereas in the
earlier case the prisoners had been illegally detained in prison.
(ii) Indian example compared to ‘Citizens’ Rights in Saudi Arabia’:
A news report in ‘The Times of India’ newspaper dated 6th August, 2012. Gender discrimination,
say women candidates.
Bhopal The number of women candidates who were not called for interview despite scoring
higher marks than male candidates was 109; the CM added and also tabled in the assembly the
list of all such women candidates along with details of scores, ranks and addresses. “It’s a typical
case where men have benefitted from reservation meant for women”, says one of the candidates
Sunita Jain, who hails from Ratlam.
She had complained to the national women’s commission, state women’s commission and made
representation at all levels, pointing out that keeping higher cut-off marks for women candidates
and lower cut-off marks for men amounted to gender discrimination.
Similarity None
Difference In the Saudi Arabia case, women are subject to restrictions and also their testimony
has half the value of men’s testimony. In the Indian case, women were discriminated against by
keeping higher cut-off marks for them compared to the men.

(iii) Indian example compared to ‘Ethnic massacre in Kosovo’: A news report from Reuters dated
29th August, 2012:
Indian politician found guilty of murder for her role in bloody massacre.
A former Indian state minister was found guilty on Wednesday of murder in one of the country’s
worst religious riots, the highest-profile conviction in a case that casts a shadow over the country
10 years on.
Human-rights groups say about 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, were hacked, beaten or burned to
death in Gujarat state after a suspected Muslim mob burned alive 59 Hindu activists and pilgrims
inside a train in February, 2002.
Similarity In both cases, the minority people were massacred.
Difference In the case of Kosovo, it was organised by the government and executed by their
soldiers. In the Indian case, it was done by a mob, which was instigated by some people who were
in the government.

Question 13. What are the examples of elected governments not protecting or even attacking the
rights of their own citizens? Why do they do that?
Answer: Examples of elected governments not protecting or even attacking the rights of their
own citizens are.
1) Ethnic massacre of Albanians in Kosovo.
2) Policy of apartheid in South Africa.
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3) Rule of PRI party in Mexico.
4) Rule of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
These rulers wanted to hold power and keep the people under their control so that they would not
oppose them and they could rule without problems.

Question 14. Everyone knows that the rich can have better lawyers in the courts. What is the
point in talking about equality before law?

Answer: It is true that the rich can have better lawyers in the courts but the law is same for
everyone. Being rich or having good lawyers does not mean that equality of law also changes,
Whether a person is rich or poor, the law remains the same for all citizens The judiciary follows the
rule of law for all without discrimination.

Question 15. Go to the playground of the school or any stadium and watch a 400 metre race on
any track. Why are the competitors in the outer lane placed ahead of those in the inner lane at the
starting point of the race? What would happen if all the competitors start the race form the same
line? Which of these two would be an equal and fair race? Apply this example to a competition for
jobs.
Observe any big public building. Is there a ramp for physically handicapped? Are there any other
facilities that make it possible for physically handicapped to use the building in the same way as
any one else? Should these special facilities be provided, if it leads to extra expenditure on the
building? Do these special provisions go against the principle of equality?

Answer :(i) Since the outer lane has a bigger circumference than the inner lane, more than 400
metre distance will be covered in one round of the track. So competitors in the outer lane are
placed ahead, so that they are given an equal opportunity compared to the person in the inner
lane. If all the competitors start at the same line, the outer track competitors will have to run a
longer distance, which will not be fair.So in the first case, it will be a fair race. Similarly, in a
competition for jobs, if the Scheduled Castes are given reservations, they can compete on an
equal basis, because they are educationally and culturally backward, although they may be fit for
the job for which they have applied.
(ii) In many public buildings like hospitals and big offices, there are such ramps. Some airports
have special toilets for the physically handicapped. These special provisions do not go against the
right to equality, as handicapped persons also have the same rights as normal citizens and the
government must provide for them accordingly.

Question 16. Should the freedom of expression be extended to those who are spreading wrong
and narrow minded ideas? Should they be allowed to confuse the public?

Answer No, the freedom of expression should not be extended to those who are spreading wrong
and narrow minded ideas, since it is harmful for society and democracy.
No they should not be allowed to confuse the public because it would be wrong to do so.
Spreading wrong information for personal gains is wrong.

Question 17. Are these cases instances of violation of the right to freedom? If yes, which
constitutional provision does each violate?
(i) The Government of India banned Salman Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses on the ground
that it was disrespectful to Prophet Mohammed and was likely to hurt the feelings of the Muslim
community.
(ii) Every film has to be approved by the Censor Board of the Government before it can be shown
to the public. But there is no such restriction if the same story is published in a book or a
magazine.
(iii) The government is considering a proposal that there will be industrial zones or sectors of the
economy where workers will not be allowed to form unions or go on strike.
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(iv) City administration has imposed a ban on use of public microphones after 10 PM in view of the
approaching secondary school examinations.

Answer:(i) Yes, this violates the right to freedom of thought and expression.
(ii) Yes, this violates the right to freedom of thought and expression.
(iii) Yes, this violates the right to freedom to form associations and unions.
(iv) No, this is not a violation of the right to freedom because the Constitution guarantees freedom
to a group of people as long as that freedom does not affect or hamper any other freedom of
anyone else. Also the ban is imposed in the larger interests of the people.

Question 18 .On the basis of these news reports write a letter to the editor or a petition to a court
highlighting the violation of the against exploitation.

A petition was filed in the Madras High Court. The petitioner said a large number children aged
between seven and 12 were taken from villages in Saleem district sold at auctions at Olur Nagar
in Kerala’s Thrissur district. The petitioner requested the courts to order the government to
check these facts. (March 2005)

Children, from the age of five were employed in the iron or mines in the Hospet, Sand and the
Ikal areas in Karnataka. Children were forced to carry out digging, breaking stones, loading,
dumping, transporting and processing of iron ore with no safe equipment, fixed wages and
working hours. They handled a high-level of toxic waste and were exposed to mine dust, which
was above the permissible level. The school dropout rate in the region was very high. (May
2005)
The latest annual survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation found that the
number of female child labourers was growing both in rural and urban areas.The survey
revealed there were 41 female child labourers per thousand worker population in rural areas as
against the previous figure of 34 per thousand. The figure for male child had remained at 31.
(April 2005)
Answer:
Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir,
This is to bring to the notice of all concerned that many children are being exploited and forced to
work for food and shelter. Instances which have come to my knowledge are (i) A large
number of village children between the ages of 7 to 12 years of Salem district in Tamil Nadu have
been sold in Kerala to work as child labour.
(ii) Many children in Karnataka, even down to the age of 5 years, have been employed in digging,
breaking stones, loading and processing iron ore in the mines there. The work is very hazardous
and they are not using any safety measures.
(iii) Female child labour is also being utilized in many places. In fact, the number of female child
labourers has increased in recent times, both in urban as well as rural areas.
By this letter, I wish to bring these facts to the notice of the Government, so that they can take
suitable action against the people who are violating the Right against Exploitation of these
children. I hope that my plea will create a proper response from the government to bring these
malpractices to an end.
Yours etc
Sd/-

Question 19. The Constitution does not give people their religion. Then how can it give people the
right to practice their religion?
Answer It is true that the Constitution does not give the people their religion. However, it does not
prevent the Constitution from giving the people the right to practice their religion, because the

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Constitution contains principles that are meant for the welfare of the citizens. The Constitution
therefore provides conditions to the citizens under which they can follow
and practice their religion with freedom.

Question 20. Read these news reports and identify the right that is being debated in each of these
cases
(i) An emergency session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) rejected the
proposal to form a separate body to manage the affairs of Sikh shrines in Haryana. It warned the
government that the Sikh community would not tolerate any interference in their religious affairs
(June 2005).
(ii) The Allahabad High Court quashed the Central law which gave Aligarh Muslim University its
minority status, and held illegal the reservation of seats for Muslims in its postgraduate medical
courses (January 2006).
(iii) The Rajasthan Government has decided to enact an anti-conversion law. Christian leaders
have said that the Bill would aggravate the sense of insecurity and fear in the minds of minorities
(March 2005).

Answer :(i) Here it is the Right to Freedom of Religion.

(ii) Here it is the Right to Equality.
(iii) Here it is the Right to Freedom of Religion.

Question 21. Can the President of India stop you from approaching the Supreme Court to secure
your Fundamental Rights?

Answer No, the President of India cannot stop me from approaching the Supreme Court to secure
my Fundamental Rights because the Fundamental Rights have been enshrined in our
Constitution. This means that our Constitution provides and protects these rights and they cannot
be taken away or violated by any person or government action or law, which also includes the
President of India.
The Right to Constitutional Remedies is a Fundamental Right, according to which we have the
right to approach the Supreme Court in case of violation of rights by any person or government
law. So, nobody can stop us from going to court to secure our Fundamental Rights.

Question 22. National Human Rights Commission

Do you notice references to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the news collage
on this page? These references reflect the growing awareness of human rights and struggles for
human dignity. Many cases of human rights violations in diverse fields, for instance, Gujarat riots,
are being brought to the public notice from across India. Human rights organisations and the
media often criticise government agencies for not seriously pursuing these cases or catching the
culprits. Someone had to intervene on behalf of the victims. This is where the National Human
Rights Commission stepped in. This is an independent commission set up by law in 1993. Like
judiciary, the Commission is independent of the government. The Commission is appointed by the
President and includes retired judges, officers and eminent citizens. Yet it does not have the
burden of deciding court cases. So, it can focus on helping the victims secure their human rights.
These include all the rights granted to the citizens by the Constitution. For NHRC human rights
also include the rights mentioned in the UN sponsored international treaties that India has signed.
The NHRC cannot by itself punish the guilty. That is the responsibility of courts. The NHRC is
there to make independent and credible inquiry into any case of violation of human rights. It also
inquiries into any case of abetment of such violation or negligence in controlling it by any
government officer and takes other general steps to promote human rights in the country. The
commission presents its findings and recommendations to the government or intervene in the
court on behalf of the victims. It has wide ranging powers to carry out its inquiry. Like any court it
can summon witnesses, question any government official, demand any official paper, visit any
prison for inspection or send its own team for on-the spot inquiry. Any citizen of India can write a
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letter to this address to complain against the violation of human rights: National Human Rights
Commission, Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi 110001. There is no fee or any formal
procedure to approach the NHRC. Like NHRC, there are State Human Rights Commissions in 16
states of the country.
Are these rights only for adults? Which of these rights are available to children?

Answer: No, these (Fundamental Rights) are not only for the adults, they are available to all the
citizens of the country without any discrimination. Right against exploitation is specially devoted to
children because it protects the children from exploitation.
Democratic Rights
1) This right prohibits child labour.
2) No one can employ a child below the age of fourteen to work in any factory or mine or in any
other hazardous work such as railways and ports.
3) Using this right as a basis, many laws have been made to prohibit children from working in
industries such as beedi making firecrackers, matches, printing and dyeing.

Multiple choice Questions

1. Civil Rights are given to the individual by:
(a) Nature (b) God (c) The State (d) The people
Answer: (c) The State

2. Which one of the following fundamental rights is called the heart and soul of Indian constitution?
(a) Right to equality (b) Right to constitutional remedies
(c) Right to freedom (d) Right to freedom of religion
Answer: (b) Right to constitutional remedies

3. Which of the following rights is not available under the fundamental rights?
(a) Right to Equality (b) Right to Freedom (b) Right to protect one’s culture (d) Right to property.
Answer: (d) Right to property.

4. Which among the following cannot be challenged in a court?

(a) Directive principles of state policy (b) Fundamental Rights
(c) Freedom to choose any profession or business (d) Right to move freely to any part of the country.
Answer: (b) Fundamental Rights

5. Laws have been made to prohibit childern from working in which of these industries?
(a) Beedi making (b) Fire crackers and matches
(c) Printing and dyeing (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above

6. One of the forms of exploitation as mentioned in the constitution is ‘traffic’. What does it mean?
(a) Transport system (b) Buying and selling of human beings
(c) Buying and selling of goods (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Buying and selling of human beings

7. How many Fundamental Rights does the Indian constitution provide?

(a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 5 (d) 8
Answer: (b) 6

8. When was the NHRC set up?

(a) 1998 (b) 1996 (c) 1993 (d) 2001
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Answer: (c) 1993

9. Which of these is not seen as a standard of human rights by the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
(a) Right to social security and insurance (b) Right to health
(c) Right to accumulate wealth (d) Right to adequate standard of living
Answer: (c) Right to accumulate wealth

10. What did Dr. Ambedkar refer to the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’ as?
(a) The brain of our Constitution (b) The heart and soul of our Constitution
(c) The heart of our Constitution (d) The soul of our Constitution
Answer: (b) The heart and soul of our Constitution

11. Which of these is/are the new rights guaranteed by the constitution of South Africa for its
citizens?
(a) Right to privacy (b) Right to an environment that is not harmful to the people’s health
(c) Right to have access to adequate housing (d) All the above

Answer: (d) All the above

12. Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more valid?
(a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens
(b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy
(c) Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy
(d) All the above
Answer: (b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy

13. What can be done in case of infringement of the rights in a democracy?

(a) Citizens are helpless; they cannot do anything (b) They can approach courts to protect their rights
(c) They can ask their representatives to do the needful (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) They can approach courts to protect their rights

14. What is the position of women in Saudi Arabia?

(a) Women are given all the rights (b) Women are given equal status with men
(c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions (d) They are offered high positions
Answer: (c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions

15. Of which country was Kosovo a province before its split?

(a) USSR (b) Yugoslavia (c) South Africa (d) Germany
Answer: (b) Yugoslavia

16. Which body exposed to the world that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were being tortured in
ways that violated the US laws?
(a) United Nations (b) International Court of Justice
(c) Amnesty International (d) Supreme Court of USA
Answer: (c) Amnesty International

17. Who called the right to constitutional remedies as the heart and soul of the constitution?
(a) J.L. Nehru (b) B. R. Ambedkar (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (b) B. R. Ambedkar

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18. Which one of the following rights is available to the citizens of India and not to the citizens of
Saudi Arabia?
(a) The country is ruled by a hereditary king (b) Citizens cannot form political parties
(c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions (d) Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion
Answer: (d) Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion

19. Cultural and Educational Rights are safeguarded mainly for :

(a) Women (b) minorities (c) children (d) Men
Answer: (b) minorities

20. Which of the following freedom is not available to an Indian citizen?

(a) Freedom to start a movement ot change the government
(b) Freedom to oppose the government
(c) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
(d) None of these
Answer: (c) Freedom to participate in armed revolution

21. What is meant by ‘begar’?

(a) Practice of begging (b) Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages
(c) Practice of encouraging workers to work at normal wages (d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (b) Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages

22. What does the Constitution say about the practice of untouchability?
(a) It stands abolished (b) Its practice in any form is punishable by law
(c) Since it is an age-old custom, it should be respected (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)

23. Which of these is false regarding the Freedom of Speech and Expression?
(a) Everyone has a right to think differently (b) One may disagree with a policy of the government
(c) One can use it to incite people against the government
(d) One is free to criticise the government
Answer: (c) One can use it to incite people against the government

24. What does ‘Right to Equality’ say about the public jobs?
(a) Jobs will be provided to all by the government
(b) Jobs will be reserved for the more meritorious students
(c) All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment
(d) None of the above

Answer: (c) All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment

25. What is meant by the term ‘writ’?

(a) Written laws (b) A formal document containing an order of the court to the government
(c) Basic features of the Constitution (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) A formal document containing an order of the court to the government

26. Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a Fundamental Right?

(a) Workers from Bihar go to Punjab to work on the farms
(b) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
(c) Christian mission sets up a chain of missionary schools
(d) Religion is not taken into consideration during admission in schools
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Answer: (b) Parents’ property is inherited by their children

27. The right to seek the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights is called :
(a) Right against Exploitation (b) Right to Freedom
(c) Right to Constitutional Remedies (d) Cultural and Educational Rights
Answer: (c) Right to Constitutional Remedies

28. The government is responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all the children
up to the age of :
(a) 16 years (b) 12 years (c) 18 years (d) 14 years
Answer: (d) 14 years

29. What was the result of the intervention of other countries to stop the killings of Albanians?
(a) Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity
(b) The other countries were punished by UNO for interfering in another country
(c) Led to further army action by Milosevic
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity

30. What is meant by ‘rights’?

(a) One’s demand to get everything without sharing with others
(b) Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government
(c) Not possessing any freedoms
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government

31. How was the massacre of Albanians finally stopped?

(a) The UN ordered for Milosevic’s arrest (b) Several countries intervened to stop the massacre
(c) The Serbs turned against Milosevic (d) Milosevic reformed himself

Answer: (b) Several countries intervened to stop the massacre

32. What was the reason given by America for imprisoning people at Guantanamo Bay?
(a) They had been caught spying.
(b) They were planning to kill the US President.
(c) They were planning to set up a Communist government in USA.
(d) America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York on 11th
September, 2001.
Answer: (d) America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York on 11th

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