QUESTION 1: Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a fundamental right?
(d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
ANSWER 1: (d) Parents’ property is inherited by their children
QUESTION 2: Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
ANSWER 2: (b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
QUESTION 3: Which of the following rights is available under the Indian Constitution?
(c) Right to protect one’s culture
ANSWER 3: (c) Right to protect one’s culture
QUESTION 4: Name the Fundamental Right under which each of the following rights falls:
(A) Freedom to propagate one’s religion
ANSWER 4:
(A) Right to freedom of religion
(B) Right to freedom
(C) Right to equality
(D) Right to freedom
QUESTION 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.
ANSWER 5:
(a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens as the basic characterstic of being a democratic country is to focus on its citizens and work for their welfare.
QUESTION 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.
ANSWER 6:
(A) Country’s security is more important than the right to freedom of a citizen, hence this restriction is justified.
(B) Some areas may be culturally or ecologically vulnerable and hence outsiders are not
allowed to buy property in such areas. This restriction is also justified.
(C) This restriction is not justified because we have the freedom of expression.
QUESTION 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.
ANSWER 7:
The following rights are being violated.
ü Right to Equality: Everyone is equal in
the eyes of the law. No one can be
denied admissions on grounds of birth. The person is practicing “untouchability” in an indirect way,
and this is an offence in the eyes of law.
His right to opportunity is also being violated.
ü Right to Freedom: Manoj has a right to
apply for any job anywhere as long
as he is citizen of country.
These two points should be pointed out in your letter to the District Collector.
QUESTION 8:
When Madhurima went to the property registration office, the exercises
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?
ANSWER 8:
There is no law which states that a woman can own property in her married name only. The constitution gives equal right to both men and women. So if Madhurima wants to give her maiden name, though married, she has the right to do so. The Registrar is being traditional.
QUESTION 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.
ANSWER 9:
Letter from Tribals
to NHRC
Ø Government’s proposal is a violation of human
rights.
Ø It is
taking away their right to live, right to follow their beliefs.
Ø For
centuries the forests have been their means of livelihood.
Ø They have
practised their rituals here.
Ø No
alternative has been suggested to them.
Ø Nothing
has happened to the wildlife, so why this sudden interest?
Ø Displacement would cause untold misery to them, their families, children and their future.
Response from the
Government
Ø The
government had given a warning to the people two years ago.
Ø
There has been an alarming rise
in poaching, cutting of trees and killing of wildlife.
Ø Environmental
pollution has also increased.
Ø It is the government’s duty to protect the
endangered species.
Ø
The government has offered
compensation and promised rehabilitation in alternative places.
Ø Offered jobs to the men.
NHRC’s Report
ü Both
sides have a point.
The Tribals have tradition, practice and decades of residence behind them. It is their world and life.
ü
Sudden uprooting will leave them
emotionally disturbed, turn them into vagabonds and force them into jobs or
occupations which they have never followed.
ü The Government is right in its concern for wildlife. It is its duty to save certain species from becoming extinct. Poachers are having a field day, and every day the environment is threatened.
Suggestions: Transfer should be slow, not sudden. First, shelter and occupation should be provided to all the people. Education should be the primary concern. Only through education can the younger generation take to the new environment and occupation. Not one family should be rendered homeless and without means of occupation.
QUESTION 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.
ANSWER 10:
It is student’s activity, so students are advised to do yourself.