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.
b. Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
c. A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
d. Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
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.
b. Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
c. A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
d. Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
Explanation:
a. After India gained independence, freedom movement leaders agreed that it would be a democracy country.
b. The members of India's founding parliament shared the same opinions regarding the fundamental tenants of the Constitution.
c. A Constitution is a requirement for a free nation.
d. A legal document can be changed over time and in response to public demands.
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
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
Explanation:
The correct option is (d) between the coloured minority and the black majority
Reason - Since the 1950s, blacks, Indians, and coloured people in South Africa have resisted and challenged the apartheid system.
They initiated protests and protest marches.
The main umbrella group in the fight against discrimination was the Continental Congress of the African National Congress. (ANC).
Whites additionally joined the ANC to fight against Apartheid and take part in the battle.
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
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
Explanation:
The correct option is (b) Name of the head of the state.
Reason- - Because it changes frequently, a democratic constitution does not specify who the leader of state. The legislative branch's authority can be outlined in a democracy constitution. The official name of the country is established by legislation.
4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:
Motilal Nehru
President of the Constituent Assembly
B.R. Ambedkar
Member of the Constituent Assembly
Rajendra Prasad
Chairman of the Drafting Committee
Sarojini Naidu
Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:
| Motilal Nehru | President of the Constituent Assembly |
| B.R. Ambedkar | Member of the Constituent Assembly |
| Rajendra Prasad | Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| Sarojini Naidu | Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 |
Explanation:
| Motilal Nehru | Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 |
| B.R. Ambedkar | Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| Rajendra Prasad | President of the Constituent Assembly |
| Sarojini Naidu | Member of the Constituent Assembly |
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?
b. What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
c. “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
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?
b. What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
c. “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
Explanation:
a. Jawahar Lal Nehru used the expression "not entirely or in full measure" in his address "Tryst with Destiny" because he thought that creating a nation was a difficult job that wouldn't be finished in a day. He therefore desired the process of building a country to be gradual.
b. Nehru urged those who drafted the constitution of the country to make a commitment to serving the nation and her people as well as the greater good of mankind.
c. The patriarch of our country, Mahatma Gandhi, was the subject of Nehru's comment.
6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and its meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.
6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and its meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.
Explanation:
7. How did your school celebrate Constitution Day on November 26th? Prepare a brief report.
7. How did your school celebrate Constitution Day on November 26th? Prepare a brief report.
Explanation:
On this day, that is no such opulent party. But diverse places observe the day in different ways:
* On this day, all students in every classroom read the opening paragraph of the constitution.
* On the topic of the Indian constitution, there are both online and physical quizzes and essay contests.
* In each school, lectures are given that highlight important aspects of the law.
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.
b. Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
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.
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.
b. Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
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.
Explanation:
a. During fight for independence from the British, democracy was decided to be the core principle of our country. Yes, thanks to the Indian Committees Act, Indians began taking part in the councils. As a result of their experiences, independent India's legislative structures were made possible.
b. Even though the freedom fight opposed colonial exploitation, democracy benefited from it because laws were made with consent rather than by forcing anything on anyone.
c. With the aid of techniques like "Satyagraha" and "Ahimsa," our freedom fight was waged without using force. These battles were fought in an effort to liberate India from British rule and grant Indians the liberty that they earned.
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 para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?
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 para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?
Explanation:
Ideals that underlie our Constitution are not the same as those that are expressed in the aforementioned paragraph. No matter their gender, caste, sex, location of birth, or religion, all of our citizens are guaranteed basic rights under our constitution. Through a number of Acts, women are granted the same rights as males under our constitution.
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.
b. Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
c. Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.
d. A constitution is about institutions, not about values
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.
b. Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
c. Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.
d. A constitution is about institutions, not about values
Explanation:
a. False - The constitution is the country's highest law. It is the basis of a free organisation. All other regulations are based on the guidelines established by the constitution. As a result, all constitutional provisions have equal or possibly even greater authority than any other national legislation.
b. True - The constitution is the highest form of law in the nation. It serves as the framework for a free society. The guidelines set by the constitution serve as the foundation for all other laws. As a consequence, all constitutional provisions are more powerful than any other national laws, perhaps even more so.
c. True - Given that the Indian Constitution grants each and every individual a set of fundamental rights.
d. False - as the Constitution upholds principles that guide all organisations. The ideals of liberty, fairness, fraternity, and equality are stated in our preamble. A constitution concerns the establishment of institutions that foster various ideals.
