Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.
a Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the country should be democratic or not after independence.
- Mistake: The leaders of the freedom movement were overwhelmingly in favor of democracy.
- Correct Statement: Leaders of the freedom movement were clear and committed that India would be a democratic nation after independence.
b Members of the Constitution Assembly of India held the same views on all provisions of the Constitution.
- Mistake: There were many intense debates and differences of opinion in the Constituent Assembly.
- Correct Statement: Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held different views on many provisions of the Constitution, which were resolved through discussion and compromise.
c A country that has a constitution must be a democracy.
- Mistake: A constitution is simply a set of rules. It does not guarantee democracy.
- Correct Statement: A country that has a constitution is not necessarily a democracy; many non-democratic countries also have constitutions (e.g., former Soviet Union, North Korea).
d Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a country.
- Mistake: Constitutions include provisions for their own amendment to adapt to changing times.
- Correct Statement: A constitution can be amended according to the procedure laid down within it, but such amendments are often more difficult than passing ordinary laws.
Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making of a democratic constitution in South Africa?
a Between South Africa and its neighbours
b Between men and women
c Between the white majority and the black minority
d Between the coloured minority and the black majority
- Answer: c Between the white minority and the black majority. The central conflict of apartheid was between the white minority regime that held all power and the oppressed black majority (along with other non-white groups). The new constitution aimed to end this racial oppression and build a united, democratic South Africa.
Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not have?
a Powers of the head of the state
b Name of the head of the state
c Powers of the legislature
d Name of the country
- Answer: b Name of the head of the state. A democratic constitution defines the powers of various institutions (like the head of state and legislature) and often states the name of the country. However, it does not specify the name of a particular person who will hold the office, as that is determined by election or appointment according to the rules.
Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the Constitution:
| a. Motilal Nehru | i.President of the Constituent Assembly |
| b B.R. Ambedkar | ii Member of the Constituent Assembly |
| c Rajendra Prasad | iii Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| d Sarojini Naidu | iv Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 |
| Leader | Role | Match |
| a. Motilal Nehru | iv. Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928 (Nehru Report) | a → iv |
| b. B.R. Ambedkar | iii. Chairman of the Drafting Committee | b → iii |
| c. Rajendra Prasad | i. President of the Constituent Assembly | c → i |
| d. Sarojini Naidu | ii. Member of the Constituent Assembly | d → ii |
Read again the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and answer the following:
a Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the first sentence?
- Answer: Nehru said this because the task of nation-building and fulfilling the dreams of freedom could not be achieved completely or perfectly all at once at the stroke of midnight. It was a long journey that would continue into the future.
b What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
- Answer: He wanted them to take a pledge to dedicate themselves to the service of India and its people, and to the larger cause of humanity.
c “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
- Answer: He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi.
Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly.
a Sovereign – iii People have the supreme right to make decisions.
b Republic – iv Head of the state is an elected person.
c Fraternity – v People should live like brothers and sisters.
d Secular – ii Government will not favour any religion.
8. Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors?
- Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule.
- Importance: Moderate/Limited. While British institutions introduced some Indians to electoral procedures, these institutions were not democratic (very few could vote). The real push for full democracy came from Indians rejecting British colonial rule, not from accepting their gifts.
- Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic.
- Importance: Very High. The freedom struggle was inherently a fight for self-rule (Swaraj), justice, and equality. The experience of fighting against oppression made the leaders and people deeply value these principles, making democracy the natural choice.
- We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.
- Importance: Very High. Leaders like Nehru, Ambedkar, Patel, and others were deeply committed democrats. Their vision, wisdom, and insistence on a democratic framework, especially through the Constituent Assembly, were crucial in establishing a durable democracy.
9. Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’, published in 1912… Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional values?
- Answer: The values in the extract go completely against the constitutional values. The Constitution is based on:
- Equality (Article 14): It guarantees equality to all, men and women.
- Dignity: It assures the dignity of the individual.
- Freedom from discrimination (Article 15): It prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex.
- Secularism and Liberty: It gives individuals the freedom to choose their life.
The 1912 text portrays women as weak, dependent, and meant only to serve men. Our Constitution, in contrast, views women as equal and independent citizens with the same rights and freedoms as men.
10. 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.
- Not True. The constitution is the supreme law of the land. All other laws are made under its authority and must conform to it. If an ordinary law contradicts the constitution, the constitution wins.
- Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed.
- True. A major function of a constitution is to define the structure of government (e.g., Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) and the rules for how persons are elected or appointed to these institutions.
- Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution.
- True. Constitutions, especially in democracies, contain a bill of rights that protects citizens from arbitrary state power. They also separate powers among different organs to limit any one branch from becoming too powerful.
- A constitution is about institutions, not about values.
- Not True. A constitution is deeply about values. The institutions it creates are designed to uphold core values like justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is a clear statement of these fundamental values.