NCERT Solutions - Parliament and the Making of Laws

Page No. 45

Exercises

• People from various backgrounds joined the struggle for freedom. They were inspired by the ideas of freedom, equality and active participation in public decision making, so they felt that everyone should be able to choose their representatives.
• Under colonial rule, people often lived in fear of harsh decisions by the British administration. Many were punished for criticising the government. This experience made nationalists want a system in which ordinary people could hold rulers accountable by voting.
• Because of continuous demands by the Indian National Congress, the Government of India Act 1909 was passed, which allowed some elected representation. Even then, the British limited who could vote, so nationalists pressed for voting rights for all adults.
• The bitter experience of colonial rule and the nationwide struggle for freedom convinced nationalists that, in an independent India, all persons should be able to participate in making decisions that affect their lives.
• For these reasons, nationalists supported the idea that all adults (above 18 years of age) should have the right to vote. They saw universal adult franchise as essential for equality, justice and a truly representative government.

Ans:

Green constituencies are reserved for candidates from Scheduled Tribes because these areas have significant tribal populations; blue constituencies are reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes to ensure their representation.

Q3: 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:

Ans:

Q4: Re-read the storyboard on how a new law on domestic violence got passed. Describe in your own words the different ways in which women's groups worked to make this happen.

Ans:

Women's groups worked together in many practical ways to ensure that a law on domestic violence was passed. Here are the main approaches they used:

• Talking about the Problem: They raised public awareness by speaking in meetings, seminars and local gatherings about how serious domestic violence is and why it needed legal protection.
• Finding Information: They collected facts, personal accounts and statistics to show how widespread the problem was. This evidence helped to convince policymakers that a law was necessary.
• Speaking to Important People: They met politicians, members of Parliament and officials to explain the issues and to ask them to support a law that would protect victims.
• Marches and Protests: They organised peaceful demonstrations and rallies to show public support. Large public gatherings made the issue visible and put pressure on the government to act.
• Sharing Stories: They provided survivors with safe opportunities to tell their experiences. Personal stories made the need for change more immediate and persuasive for lawmakers and the public.
• Providing Support Services: Many groups offered legal advice, counselling and help in finding shelters. This practical support showed that a law had to be backed by services for victims.
• Working with Media and Drafting Proposals: They used newspapers, radio and television to keep the issue in the public eye and helped draft the language of the proposed law so that it addressed real problems clearly.