Exercise
1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
Answer: A democratic country requires a Constitution for several reasons:
1. Expressing Basic Ideals: The Constitution articulates the fundamental values that guide our lives as citizens in the country.
2. Defining Society's Nature: It outlines the core characteristics of our society, setting a foundation for our collective identity.
3. Describing the Political System: The Constitution delineates the political system's structure, defining how the government functions.
4. Establishing Rules for Coexistence: It establishes a set of rules that enable people from diverse religions and communities to live together harmoniously.
2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal.
| 1990 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive | 2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Federal Executive |
| Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in his Majesty and the Council of Ministers | Article 75: Executive Power: The Executive Power of Nepal shall, pursuant to this Constitution and law, be vested in the Council of Ministers |
What is the difference in who exercises ‘Executive Power’ in the above two Constitutions of Nepal?
Answer: Article 35 of the 1990 Constitution of Nepal granted authority over the country's governance and management to the King and his appointed Ministers.
In contrast, Article 75 of the 2015 Constitution of Nepal specifies that the country's rules, governance, and management will be guided by the laws outlined in the Constitution itself, overseen by the Ministers.
3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
Answer: In a democracy, the citizens have the responsibility of electing their leaders. Nevertheless, there's always a potential for these leaders to misuse their authority and act inappropriately. Therefore, the constitution includes safeguards to protect the country from such abuse of power.
4. In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations.
(a) In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male.
Answer: The minority in this context consists of the 10 female teachers working at the school. It is crucial to consider the perspective of these female teachers because, even though they constitute a minority, their opinions hold significant value. Any decision made, which primarily takes into account the views of the majority, should not result in any discomfort or disadvantage for the female teachers.
(b) In a city, 5 per cent of the population are Buddhists.
Answer: In this context, the minority represents the 5 percent Buddhist population residing in the city. It is essential to show respect for their views and beliefs. Being in the minority with different religious convictions should not result in any disrespect towards them. Every decision should be made with consideration for the religious sentiments and feelings of the Buddhist population.
(c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians.
Answer: In this scenario, the minority consists of the 20 percent of non-vegetarians who dine at the factory mess. It's crucial to ensure that the food prepared in the factory mess caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians to accommodate everyone's dietary preferences.
(d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
Answer: In this situation, the minority refers to the 10 students who come from less affluent backgrounds. It is essential to consider their perspectives because they might not be able to afford the various expenses associated with the school, and they should not experience humiliation or discomfort as a result.
5. The column on the left lists some of the key features of the Indian Constitution. In the other columns, write two sentences, in your own words, on why you think this feature is important.
Answer:
| Key Feature | Significance |
| Federalism | This is important because in a diverse country like India, there are people living at various socio-economic levels, and a single level of government cannot effectively govern all of them. Therefore, establishing governments at different levels is essential. The Panchayati Raj system is responsible for local governance at the village level, the state government governs the respective states, and the Central Government oversees governance for the entire country. This multi-tiered approach helps address the unique needs and complexities of India's diverse population. |
| Separation of Powers | There are three branches of government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Each of these branches possesses distinct powers and serves specific functions. To prevent any one branch from misusing its power, the Constitution mandates that each branch exercises separate and defined powers. This separation of powers is a fundamental principle of governance to maintain a system of checks and balances. |
| Fundamental Rights | Fundamental Rights are a collection of rights provided by the Constitution to every citizen of the country. These rights encompass the Right to Freedom, Right to Equality, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and the Right to Constitutional Remedies. These rights guarantee that every citizen is entitled to equality, protection against discrimination based on factors like caste, culture, or religion, access to equal educational opportunities, and equality before the law. |
| Parliamentary Form of Government | A democratic government is characterized by citizens having the right to choose their representatives through elections. When the Constitution was being drafted, it was ensured that every citizen of the country, regardless of their caste, color, creed, or religion, would have the right to vote and elect their leaders. This concept is known as universal adult suffrage, where the right to vote is extended to all eligible adults in the country. |
6. Write down the names of the Indian States, which share borders with the following neighbouring nations:
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Bhutan
(c) Nepal
(a) Bangladesh:
- West Bengal
- Assam
- Meghalaya
- Tripura
- Mizoram
(b) Bhutan:
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Nepal:
- Bihar
- Uttarakhand
- Uttar Pradesh
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
