Despite many difficulties, there was one big advantage for the makers of the Indian Constitution which was absent in South Africa. What was it?
Answer
Unlike South Africa, the makers of the Indian Constitution did not have to create a consensus about what a democratic India should look like. Much of this consensus had evolved during the freedom struggle.
Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.
Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
Answer
Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on the basic principles of the constitution.
Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.
Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
The Constitution is the supreme law that determines the relationship among people living a territory (called citizens) and also the relationship between the people and the government.
What is an unusual achievement for the Indian Constitution?
Answer
Over the last half a century, no large social group or political party has ever questioned the legitimacy of the Constitution itself. This is an unusual achievement for our Constitution.
Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors?
Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
Answer
Freedom struggle was important in spreading the idea of nationalism in India and inculcating the practice of making decisions by consensus.
Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true.
The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law.
Answer
Not true. An ordinary law is passed by the Parliament and can be changed by it on its own will. On the other hand, the rules of the Constitution have greater authority and the Parliament has to abide by them. For amending these rules, a special procedure has to be adopted.