NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Sociology - The Story of Indian Democracy

Q1: Have you heard of Bal Panchayats and Mazdoor Kissan Sanghathan? If not, find out and write a note about them in about 200 words.
Ans:

• Bal Panchayat: My school follows a prefectorial system. The school has four houses, From each house, the house masters and the house children elect five prefects on the basis of their academic performance, leadership traits and their antecedents regarding contribution for the curricular and co-curricular activities of the house. The principal,teachers and 20 prefects elect head boy of the school.
• The head boy functions as a prototype of the school. He/she is responsible for discipline, school environment, curricular and co-curricular activities, social interaction particularly with the other schools and is accountable for student’s activities in the school.
• The head boy particularly coordinates with the principal, headmasters, and housemasters with the help of 20 prefects and helps in proper functioning of school buses, maintenance of assets, school fields, taking care of school property and by and large school discipline.
• Mazdoor Sanghathan: In 1920, first All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was established.
• Indian Trade Union Congress (INTUC) untraced by the congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha organised by the socialists and Bhartiya Mazdoor Sabha linked with Bhartiya Janta Party earlier Jan Sangh.
• These trade unions played a very significant role in the recruitment, wage policy, functioning, living conditions, hire and fire policy and by and large developing a political and social awareness among the workers.
• Kissan Sanghthan: India is a country of villages. Even today 75% of Indian population is living in villages and depends on agriculture.
• Earlier this population was not politically aware with their rights. They were very much traditional and attached to their customs and rituals but due to congress and communists now the kissans of India are politically very mature, are aware with their strength and providing strong base to Indian democracy.
• Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel took initiates in 1936 congress session at Lucknow and All India Kissan Sabha was established but due to caste and class conflict it could not function.
• Many Kissan organisations emerged in India after independence. The socialists established Hind Kissan Panchayat and instead the Kissan Sabha by Marxist.
• The communist party of India (Marxists) established revolutionary peasants convention in 1967. This organisation gave lead to Naxalbari movement in West Bengal.
• Due to the motivation of Shri Raj Narain and Chaudhary Char an Singh in 1978 formed the All India Kissan Kamgar Sammelan. Many politicians and farmers like Shri Mahinder Singh Tikkait tried to organise the Kissans of India but even now this peasant group of India is not a well organised pressure group.

Q2: The 73rd amendment has been monumental in bringing a voice to the people in the Villages. Discuss.
Ans: The 73rd amendment has been monumental in bringing a voice to the people in the villages because this amendment is related to the directive principles of the state policy and panchayati raj.
The amendment is based on the principle of power of the people and provides . constitutional guarantee to the Panchayats.

Main features of the Act:

• Recognition to Panchayats, as institutions of self government.
• Panchayat’s power and responsibilities to prepare a plan for economic development and social justice.
• Establishment of uniform 3 tier system of strong Panchayats at village, block and district levels for all states having a population of over 20 lakhs.
• The Act provides guidelines for the structure powers and functions, finance and elections and reservation of seats for the weaker sections of the given area.

Importance of the Act:

• It was a revolutionary step towards establishing grassroot democracy.
• All the states have passed legislation on the basis of guidelines and provision of the amendments.
• Because of this act Panchayati Raj System at grassroot level became a reality.

Q3: Write an essay on the ways that the Indian Constitution touches peoples’ everyday life, drawing upon different examples.
Ans:

• Indian constitution has given a democratic system to all of us.
• Democracy is a government for the people, of the people and by the people. It is not limited to political freedom or economic and social justice. It is also about equal rights to all respective of caste, creed, race and gender.
• Indian constitution has established Secularism. We have respect for all the religions and all the Indians have fundamental right to have faith in their own religion. Indian constitution provides equal rights to minority communities by extending friendly relationship and all sort of support system to them.
• India is a welfare state and a Sociologist patronise society. It is our duty to protect public and national property. We all have equal opportunities to make use of resources and put our best effort for economic development.
• Indian constitution provides social, political and economic justice and equality to all citizens of India. Therefore it is our duty to support the government to participate in activity of government programmes like population control, smallpox, Malaria or Pulse Polio Programmes. Food Security Bill, Right to Information (RTI), Right to Education (RTE) and efforts for women empowerment are few major efforts made by the government to strengthen Indian democracy.

Q4: What is the significance of political parties in a democracy?
Ans: 

• Political parties are crucial in a democracy as they serve several vital functions.
• They provide a platform for citizens to express their political ideologies and preferences.
• They help in the organization of government by contesting elections and forming governments.
• Political parties act as a bridge between the government and the people, representing citizens' interests and concerns.
• They facilitate debate, discussion, and decision-making in the legislature.
• Moreover, they promote political stability and continuity by offering alternative policies and candidates.

Q5: How are pressure groups formed?
Ans: Pressure groups are formed by individuals or organizations with shared interests or concerns. They come together to influence public policy and decision-making. Common factors that lead to the formation of pressure groups include:

• Common Goals: Individuals with similar goals and interests unite to have a stronger voice. 
• Issue-Based: They focus on specific issues, such as environmental protection, labor rights, or gender equality. 
• Advocacy: They engage in advocacy and lobbying to influence government policies or corporate decisions. 
• Membership: People join voluntarily, often paying membership fees. 

Q6: What is the role of interest groups in a democratic system?
Ans: Interest groups, also known as lobby groups, play a crucial role in a democratic system by representing the interests of specific segments of society. Their roles include:

• Advocacy: They advocate for policies that benefit their members or causes. 
• Information Dissemination: They provide information to policymakers, helping them make informed decisions. 
• Monitoring: They keep a watchful eye on government actions and hold officials accountable. 
• Mobilization: They mobilize public opinion and organize grassroots efforts to influence political outcomes. 
• Balancing Power: Interest groups act as a counterbalance to the power of government, ensuring that diverse voices are heard.