SST and History Notes XI- XII

SPL (VIII)- LESSON-6

UNDERSTANDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

( QUESTION ANSWERS)

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(NCERT QUESTIONS)

1. In a town called Peace Land, the supporters of the Fiesta football team learn that the supporters of the Jubilee football team in the nearby city about 40 km away have damaged the ground on which the Final between both teams is to be held the following day. A crowd of Fiesta fans armed with deadly weapons attacks the homes of the supporters of the Jubilee football team in the town. In the attack, 10 men are killed, 5 women are gravely hurt, many homes are destroyed and over 50 people injured.

Imagine that you and your classmates are now part of the criminal justice system. First divide the class into the following four groups of persons:

1. Police 2. Public Prosecutor 3. Defence lawyer 4. Judge

The column on the right provides a list of functions. Match these with the roles that are listed on the left. Have each group pick the functions that it needs to perform to bring justice to those who were affected by the violence of the Fiesta fans. In what order, will these functions be performed?

Now take the same situation but ask one student who is a supporter of the Fiesta Club to perform all the functions listed above. Do you think the victims would get justice if only one person performed all of the functions of the criminal justice system? Why not?

State two reasons why you believe that different persons need to play different roles as part of the criminal justice system.

Answer

The victim would not get justice if only one person performs all the functions of the criminal justice system, because he could get influenced by various prejudices. Separation of power is necessary within a judicial system too, since absolute power can lead to unfairness.

Two reasons why different people need to play different roles as part of the criminal justice system are:

1.    All the aspects of trial and investigation cannot be conducted by a single person, as it entails a diverse range of work including arresting, recording the statements of witnesses, defending the victim and accused parties, passing a fair trial and judicially correct judgement.

2.    If all the powers are vested on one person alone, it might be misused and thereby violate the laws based on just and equal decision.

A single ideology may not be the right one, as it can affect the trial and the result of the case.

                                                     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)