Question 1.
‘The Right to Freedom is actually a cluster of several rights.’ Discuss.
Answer:
● Freedom to live in any part of India: All citizens are free to live in any part of India but State
can put restrictions keeping in mind the welfare of local people.
Freedom to practice any profession or occupation: All citizens have the right to practice
any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
● Right to Free Movement: Every citizen of India has been granted freedom to move
throughout the Indian territory.
● Freedom to Assemble Peacefully: Indian citizens have been given the right to assemble
without arms.
● Freedom of Speech and Expression: Democracy is a government by citizens. Freedom of
speech and expression works as a barometer of public opinion.
● Right to Form Associations or Unions: The Constitution guarantees the right to form
associations and unions to every citizen of India.
Question 2. .
“Saudi Arabia is not a democratic country”. Justify. Mention any two rights which are enjoyed by the
Indian citizens but not by citizens of Saudi Arabia.
Or
Compare the situation of India and Saudi Arabia in terms of right to freedom in both the countries.
Answer:
● The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people: have no role in electing or
changing
their rulers.
● The king selects the legislature as well as the executive. He appoints the judges and can
change any of their decisions.
● Citizens cannot form political parties or any political organisations.
Rights enjoyed by Indians but not by Saudi Arabians-
● There is no freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim. Non-Muslim
residents can follow their religion in private, but not in public.
● Women are subjected to many public restrictions. The testimony of one man is considered
equal to that of two women.
Question 3.
State any three rights guaranteed by the Constitution of South Africa.[CBSE 2014 March]
Answer:
● Right to privacy, so that citizens or their home cannot be searched, their phones cannot be
tapped, their communication cannot be opened.
● Right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well being.
● Right to have access to adequate housing.
Question 4.
Why do we need rights in a democracy? [CBSE March 2011,13,15]
Answer:
● Fundamental Rights provide the conditions which are essential for the development of the
inherent qualities in man and to secure his all round growth.
● These are necessary to preserve human dignity and promote social progress in an
atmosphere of freedom.
● These provide civil liberties, without which democracy cannot be even conceived.
● These are a significant check on the arbitrary use of power by the government.
● Rights protect minorities from the oppression of majority.
Question 4.
Mention the restrictions that can be imposed on various forms of freedoms granted by the
Constitution.
Answer:
● Freedom of speech and expression — reasonable restrictions can be imposed on this
freedom.
● Restriction on freedom to hold meetings, processions, rallies and demonstrations and
reasonable restriction in the interest of public order.
● Restrictions on freedom to form associations and unions in the interest of public order,
morality of sovereignty or integrity of India.
Question 5.
Mention any three rights of a detained person.
Answer:
● To be informed of the reason of arrest and detention.
● To be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.
● Right to consult a lawyer or engage a lawyer for his defence.
Question 6.
Which extreme form of social discrimination is forbidden by the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The Constitution mentions one extreme form of social discrimination, the practice of untouchability,
and clearly directs the government to put an end to it. The practice of untouchability has been
forbidden in any form. Untouchability here does not only mean refusal to touch people belonging to
certain castes.
It refers to any belief or social practice which looks down upon people on account of their birth with
certain caste labels. Such practice denies them interaction with others or access to public places as
equal citizens. So, the Constitution made untouchability a punishable offence.
Question 7.
What are the Fundamental Rights? How many Fundamental Rights are given in our Constitution?
Answer:
In India, like most other democracies in the world, the rights are mentioned in the Constitution. Some
rights which are fundamental to our life are given a special status. They are called Fundamental Rights.
Our Constitution provides us six Fundamental Rights.
These are :
● Right to Equality
● Flight to Freedom
● Right against Exploitation
● Right to Freedom of Religion
● Cultural and Educational Rights
● Right to Constitutional Remedies
Question 8.
Why is the ‘Right to Freedom’ called a cluster of several rights?
Answer:
Under the Indian Constitution, all citizens exercise several freedoms which are covered in the right to
freedom. So, every citizen has the right to all the following freedoms :
● Freedom of speech and expression
● Freedom to assemble in a peaceful manner
● Freedom to form associations and unions
● Freedom to move freely throughout the country
● Freedom to reside in any part of the country, and
● Freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
Question 9.
How can the judiciary protect the Fundamental Rights of citizens?
Answer:
The judiciary protect the Fundamental Rights of citizens on the following ways :
● It is possible that sometimes our rights may be violated by fellow citizens, private bodies
or by the government. When any of our rights are violated we can seek remedy through
courts. If it is a Fundamental Right, we can directly approach the Supreme Court or the
High Court of a state.
● Fundamental Rights are guaranteed against the actions of the Legislatures, the Executive,
and any other authorities instituted by the government. There can be no law or action that
violates the Fundamental Rights.
● If any act of the Legislature or the Executive takes away or limits any of the Fundamental
Rights, it will be invalid. We can challenge such laws of the central and state governments,
● Courts also enforce the Fundamental Flights against private individuals and bodies. The
Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to issue directions, orders or writs for the
enforcement of the Fundamental Rights.
● They can also award compensation to the victims and punishment to the violators.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
1. Right to Equality (Articles 14 – 18)
Right to equality is one of the important fundamental rights of Indian constitution that guarantees equal rights for
everyone, irrespective of religion, gender, caste, race or place of birth. It ensures equal employment
opportunities in the government and insures against discrimination by the State in matters of employment on the
basis of caste, religion, etc. This right also includes the abolition of titles as well as untouchability.
2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – 22)
Freedom is one of the most important ideals cherished by any democratic society. The Indian Constitution
guarantees freedom to citizens. The freedom right includes many rights such as:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly without arms
Freedom of association
Freedom to practise any profession
Freedom to reside in any part of the country
3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 – 24)
This right implies the prohibition of traffic in human beings, begar, and other forms of forced labour. It also implies
the prohibition of children in factories, etc. This Constitution prohibits the employment of children under 14 years
in hazardous conditions.
4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25 – 28)
This indicates the secular nature of Indian polity. There is equal respect given to all religions. There is freedom of
conscience, profession, practice and propagation of religion. The State has no official religion. Every person has
the right to freely practice his or her faith, establish and maintain religious and charitable institutions.
5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29 – 30)
These rights protect the rights of religious, cultural and linguistic minorities, by facilitating them to preserve their
heritage and culture. Educational rights are for ensuring education for everyone without any discrimination.
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (32 – 35)
The Constitution guarantees remedies if citizens’ fundamental rights are violated. The government cannot
infringe upon or curb anyone’s rights. When these rights are violated, the aggrieved party can approach the
courts. Citizens can even go directly to the Supreme Court which can issue writs for enforcing fundamental
rights.