What is the position of the citizens in Saudi Arabia with regard to their government?
Answer
Saudi Arabia is a country which is ruled by a hereditary king. The people have no role in electing or changing their rulers. They cannot form political parties or any other organisations.
Freedom means absence of constraints. In practical life, it means absence of interference in our affairs by others, be it the individuals or the government.
Are these restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer.
Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of security.
Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population.
The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.
Answer
Restriction ‘a’ is justified to protect the citizens from loss of life or property, but ‘b’ and ‘c’ are not justified as ‘b’ infringes on the right to freedom and ‘c’ violates the right to freedom of speech.
Every person has a right to choose, practise and propagate any religion he or she believes in. Every religious group or sect is free to manage its religious affairs.
In what way is child labour prohibited by the Indian constitution?
Answer
The constitution prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child below the age of fourteen to work in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous work, such as railways and ports.
Untouchability refers to refusal to touch people belonging to certain castes as well as any belief of social practice which looks down upon people on account of their birth with certain caste labels.
Indian secularism practises an attitude of a principle and equal distance from all religions. The state has to be neutral and impartial in dealing with all religions.
Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more valid? Give reasons for your preference.
Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy.
Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy.
Answer
Statement ‘a’ is more valid. Every country which provides rights to its citizens might not be a democracy but it is essential for a democracy to provide rights to its citizens.
Now school education has become a right for Indian citizens. The governments are responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years under this right.
A secular state is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion. The state has to be neutral and impartial in dealing with all religions.