NCERT Solutions Class 9, Social Science, Political Science, 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
The correct option is : (d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
2. Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
(a) Freedom to criticise 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
The correct option is : (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
The correct option is : (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
(b) Right to life
(c) Abolition of untouchability
(d) Ban on bonded labour
Solution:
(a) Right to freedom of religion
(b) Right to freedom
(c) Right to equality
(d) Right against exploitation
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.
Solution:
(a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens. Every country which provides rights to its citizens might not be a democracy but it is essential for a democracy to provide rights to its citizens.
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.
(b) Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population.
(c) The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.
Solution:
(a) This is justified. Right to freedom is for all the citizens which grants to move freely anywhere in the country but due to security reasons some areas are restricted as the freedom of movement by every citizen can prove dangerous for the security of India.
(b) In certain cases this can be justified to maintain the cultural or ethnic identity of local population.
(c) This restriction can't be justified as it violates the freedom of speech and expression right.
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.
Solution:
Right to equality is violated here as according to this every citizen of India before the law whether he is from upper or lower caste or rich or poor. Right of freedom is also violated as it grants personal liberty. He or She can carry any profession or business.
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?
Solution:
In this dispute, Madhurima is right. The Registrar, by questioning and interfering in her personal affairs, is violating her right to freedom. Also, the social question of adopting the husband’s surname has roots in a religious practice which treats women as weaker and inferior. In lieu of this, forcing Madhurima to change her name is an infringement on her right to equality and right to freedom of religion.
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, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Panchmarhi 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 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 the NHRC on this matter.
Solution:
(a) The petition should be as follows :
- We the tribal and the forest people have been living in and near the forests for hundreds of years and have earned our livelihood from the forests.
- The forests are our home and place of work. It is wrong to displace us from our traditional homes. By doing so you are taking away our livelihood and traditions because we know no other work.
- We request the NHRC to take up our cause and prevent our displacement from the forest due to the setting up of the wildlife sanctuaries.
(b) The Response of the Government :
- The government, in order to protect the wildlife which is nearing extinction, has decided to set up wildlife parks and wildlife sanctuaries and provide natural habitats to the endangered species and other animals.
- For doing this, human interference has to be stopped and so the tribals and the forest dwellers are to be displaced from these areas.
- However, keeping in mind the welfare of the tribals and ensuring a future for the tribals will be rehabilitated in some other suitable place.
(c) NHRC Report :
- The National Human Rights Commission gave its report on the proposed displacement of the tribals and the forest dwellers from the wildlife parks and sanctuaries like the Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
- NHRC said that the tribals and the forest dwellers have since ages lived in the forests and also earned their livelihood from the forests.
- However, realising the importance of the forests in their lives they have taken care not to harm it or damage it in any manner.
- They have co-existed in the forests with all the flora and fauna and they have many beliefs and traditions which intact protect the forests and the animals.
- Finally, they are not a threat to the flora and the fauna and they can help to protect, preserve and conserve the forest flora and fauna so they should be allowed to live in the forests as a part of the forest.
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 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.
Solution:
