SST and History Notes XI- XII

                                                     SPL (VIII)- LESSON-4

UNDERSTANDING LAWS

(QUESTION ANSWERS)

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(NCERT QUESTIONS)

1. Write in your own words what you understand by the term the ‘rule of law’. In your response include a fictitious or real example of a violation of the rule of law.

Answer: The rule of law is a provision of the Indian Constitution that states that all people in independent India are equal before the law. Every law is equal for every citizen in the country. Neither the President or any other high official is above the law. The punishment for any crime committed will be the same for every person, irrespective of post or power. For example if a Clerk is punished for corruption, the same punishment needs to be given to a higher Official or Minister for committing the same crime of corruption.

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

Answer: Two reasons why historians refute to claim that the British introduced the rule of law in India are:

The colonial law was arbitrary

The Indian Nationalists played a prominent role in the development of the legal sphere in British India

                                                     SPL (VIII)- LESSON-3

WHY DO WE NEED A PARLIAMENT?

(QUESTION ANSWERS)

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(NCERT QUESTIONS)

1. Why do you think the nationalist movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?
Answer: The national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote because of the following reasons:

1.    Every responsible citizen should participate in the government.

2.    Law-making and decision-making should also be shared by the adults of the country.

2. In this 2004, map of Parliamentary constituencies, roughly identify the constituencies in your State. What is the name of the MP from your constituency? How many MPs does your state have? Why are certain constituencies coloured green while others are coloured blue?
Answer:  Write yourself

3. You have read in Chapter 1 that the ‘Parliamentary form of government’ that exists in India has three tiers. This includes the Parliament (Central Government) and the various State Legislatures (state governments).
Fill in the following table with information on the various representatives from your area:

Answer:
The answer will vary for each state.  Write yourself

SPL (VIII)- LESSON-2

UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM

(QUESTION ANSWERS)

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(NCERT QUESTIONS)

1. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Yes, the government will and should intervene because this practice is against the right to freedom to live. Moreover, it is a crime to kill or practice infanticide.

 2. List the different types of religious practices that you find in your neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing, etc. Does this indicate freedom of religious practice?
Answer: Different types of religious practice:
(i) Jagran
(ii) Kirtan
(iii) Namaj
(iv) Mass
(v) Havan
Yes, this indicates freedom of religious practice.

SPL (VIII)-LESSON-1

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

(NCERT EXERCISE)

Question 1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?

Answers:- A democratic country needs a constitution because:

A Constitution serves as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country agree.(example story-Nepal)

Ø It also define the nature of a country’s political system( example story-Nepal)

Ø The Constitution also provides safeguards against the authority who have the power.(Ex-Class room story)

Ø Constitution also ensures that a dominant group does not use its power against less powerful people.(example-Football Match Story)

 

SPL (VIII)-LESSON -8

CONFRONTING MARGINALISATION

(LESSON NOTES)

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v INTRODUCTION

Ø As we have seen some communities in the society are marginalised. They are lack behind in social, economic and political development. So, the constitution of our country provides the safeguard.

Ø But constitutional provisions are not enough. So, the government also take many steps and policies and programmes for the equality.

Ø This lesson focus on these policies and programmes.

v  CONFRONTING MARGINALISATION

Ø Confronting refers to the way in which groups and individuals challenge the existing inequalities.

Ø They have attempted to overcome their situation by adopting a range of strategies as Religious solace, armed struggle, self-improvement and education, economic uplift etc.

Ø After freedom they confronted these inequalities by the constitutional provision, rights and acts.

v DALITS

Ø The term Dalit, which means ‘broken’ is used deliberately and

actively by groups to highlight the centuries of discrimination they have experienced within the caste system. They are also referred as marginalised communities.

v FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE

Ø The Constitution provides Fundamental Rights which are available to all Indians equally, including the marginalised group. But as the marginalised groups fail to enjoy equal rights, they insist the government to enforce laws. Some of the fundamental rights which promote equality and justice are these:-

§  Article 14 provides right to equality before law.

§  Article 15 prohibits the state from discrimination against any citizens on grounds of Religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

§  Article 17 abolishes “untouchability” and makes its practice in any form a punishable offence. This means that no one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities, etc

§  Article 29 to 30 deal with cultural and educational rights of the citizens specially for minority. They have the right preserve their culture.

v LAWS AND POLICIES FOR THE MARGINALISED GROUPS

Ø There are specific laws and policies for the marginalised groups in our country.

§  The government sets up a committee or undertakes a survey and then makes an effort to promote such policies in order to give opportunities to specific groups.

§  The government tries to promote social justice by providing for free or subsidized hostels for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.

§  The Government’s reservation policy is a very significant effort to end inequity in the system.

v HOW THE RESERVATION POLICY WORK

Ø Reservation Policy in India is a process of reserving certain percentage of seats (maximum 50%) for a certain class such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes, etc. in Government educational institutions, government jobs, etc.

§  Governments across the country have their own list of SCs or Dalits, STs, and backward and most backward castes. The central government too has its list.

§  Students applying to educational institutions and those applying for posts in government are expected to furnish proof of their caste or tribe status in the form of caste and tribe certificates.

§  If a particular Dalit caste or a certain tribe is on the government list, then a candidate from that caste or tribe can avail of the benefit of reservation.

§  Governments define a set of ‘cut-off’ marks for admission or jobs. This means that not all Dalits and tribal candidates can qualify for admission or jobs but only those who have done reasonably well and secured marks above the cut-off point.

§  Besides policies, there are also specific laws to protect the rights of marginalised communities.

v THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND THE SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT-1989 

Ø NEED OF ACT

§  It came into being in 1989 to protect Dalits and Adivasis from the domination of the powerful communities.

§  This Act was framed to save from the ill treatment and humiliation of Dalits and triable groups.

§  To indicate to the government that untouchability was still being practiced and in the most hideous manner.

§  Dalit groups demanded new laws that would list the various sorts of violence against Dalits and prescribe stringent punishment for those who indulge in them.

Ø PROVISION OF THE ACT

§  The Act distinguishes several levels of crimes. Firstly, it lists modes of humiliation that are both physically horric and morally reprehensible.

§  This Act seeks to penalise anyone who assaults or uses force on any women belonging to a SC or a ST with intent to dishonour her.

§  This act defends their right to occupy land that was traditionally their.

§  The land belonging to tribal people cannot be sold to or bought by non-tribal people.

§  C K Janu an Adivasi activist has also pointed out that, in case where tribals have already been evicted and cannot go back to their lands, they must be compensated.

v MANUAL SCAVENGING:

Ø It refers to the manual practice of removing human and animal waste or excreta with the help of brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carrying it on the head to disposal grounds.

Ø They worked in subhuman conditions and face serious health hazards that affect their eyes, skin, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems.

Ø They get very low wages for the work they perform. Those working in urban municipalities earn Rs 30-40 per day and those working privately are paid much less.

Ø In 1993, the government passed the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. It prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as the construction of dry latrines.

Ø Even the manual scavenging still existed and it continued in government undertakings like the railways.

v IMPORTANT TERMS

Ø Policy: A well-planned course of action that provides direction for the future, sets goals to be achieved or lays out guidelines to be followed and acted upon.

Ø Ostracise: To socially boycott an individual and his family.

Ø Dispasses: To give up ownership or authority.

Ø Morally reprehensible: An act that violates all norms of decency and dignity that society believes in.

Ø Assertive: An individual or a group that expresses themselves and their views strongly.

 

 

 

SPL(VIII)-LESSON-7

UNDERSTANDING MARGINALISATION

LESSON NOTES

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v MARGINALISATION

Ø Marginalization refers a situation where some communities are excluded from the main stream of the society because of their language, customs or religion. Because of the marginalisation these communities are deprived from the access of the resources which caused the discrimination.

 

SLP (VIII)-LESSON-6

UNDERSTANDING OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 

(LESSON NOTES)

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v INTRODUCTION

Ø You know that Rule of law is an important part of Indian constitution. To know about the rule of law we should know about our criminal justice system. According to the Constitution, every individual charged of a crime has to be given a fair trial. There are four key players in the criminal justice system:

§  The Police,

§  The Public Prosecutor

§  The Defence Lawyer

§  The Judge.