Extra 15 important long-answer questions with answers from the chapter "Rights" in Class 11 Political Science:
1. What are rights? Explain their importance in a democratic society.
Answer:
Rights are justified claims that individuals have against the state and society, ensuring freedom, dignity, and equality.
Importance in a Democracy:
Ensures Individual Freedom:
Rights allow people to express themselves freely.
Promotes Equality:
All citizens are treated equally regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
Protects Minorities:
Rights prevent discrimination and protect weaker sections.
Limits Government Power:
Prevents misuse of power by rulers.
Encourages Political Participation:
Citizens can vote, contest elections, and participate in governance.
Example: Fundamental Rights in India (Articles 12-35) guarantee these freedoms.
2. What are Fundamental Rights? Explain their features.
Answer:
Fundamental Rights are basic rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution to ensure justice, equality, and liberty.
Features of Fundamental Rights:
Guaranteed by the Constitution:
Enforceable by courts.
Universal in Nature:
Apply to all citizens equally.
Justiciable:
Citizens can approach courts if rights are violated.
Not Absolute:
Can be restricted for security, public order, or morality.
Defended by Judiciary:
Article
32 allows judicial protection
of these rights.
Example: Right to Equality (Article 14-18) ensures equal treatment for all.
3. Explain the different types of rights with examples.
Answer:
Rights can be classified into various types:
Natural Rights:
Life, liberty, and property (John Locke's theory).
Legal Rights:
Provided by law (e.g., Right to Property in India).
Political Rights:
Right to vote, contest elections, and participate in governance.
Civil Rights:
Right to equality, freedom, and privacy.
Economic and Social Rights:
Right to work, health, and education.
Example: Right to Education (Article 21A) ensures free education for children.
4. What is the difference between legal rights and fundamental rights?
Answer:
|
Fundamental Rights |
Legal Rights |
|---|---|
|
Guaranteed by the Constitution |
Provided by ordinary laws |
|
Protected by the judiciary |
Can be changed by the government |
|
Universal and enforceable in courts |
Limited to specific groups |
|
Example: Right to Freedom (Article 19) |
Example: Right to Property (removed in 1978) |
Example: Right to Equality (Fundamental Right) vs. Right to Vote (Legal Right).
5. Discuss the significance of the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
Answer:
The Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32) allows individuals to seek justice if their rights are violated.
Significance:
Safeguards Fundamental Rights:
Ensures legal protection against injustice.
Provides Judicial Protection:
Courts can issue writs like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, and Quo
Warranto
.
Ensures Democracy:
Prevents the misuse of power by authorities.
Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar called it the "Heart and Soul of the Constitution."
Example: Keshavananda Bharati Case (1973) upheld this right.
6. What is the Right to Equality? Explain its components.
Answer:
The Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) ensures equal treatment for all citizens.
Components:
Article 14:
Equality before law and equal protection of laws.
Article 15:
Prohibits discrimination based on caste, religion, sex, or place of birth.
Article 16:
Ensures equality in public employment.
Article 17:
Abolishes untouchability.
Article 18:
Abolishes titles (except military and academic distinctions).
Example: SC/ST reservations ensure social justice.
7. Explain the Right to Freedom and its significance.
Answer:
The Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22) provides essential liberties.
Key Freedoms (Article 19):
Freedom of Speech and Expression
Freedom to Assemble Peacefully
Freedom to Form Associations
Freedom to Move Freely
Freedom to Reside Anywhere
Freedom to Practice Any Profession
Significance:
Ensures personal liberty and democratic participation.
Protects citizens from arbitrary arrests (Article 22).
Example: Freedom of speech allows media to criticize the government.
8. What are Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)? How are they different from Fundamental Rights?
Answer:
DPSPs are guidelines for the government to ensure social and economic justice.
Differences:
|
Fundamental Rights |
DPSP |
|---|---|
|
Enforceable by courts |
Not enforceable |
|
Protects individual rights |
Aims at social welfare |
|
Negative in nature (restrain state actions) |
Positive in nature (guide state actions) |
|
Example: Right to Freedom |
Example: Free legal aid for the poor |
Example: DPSPs include equal pay for men and women (Article 39).
9. Discuss the importance of the Right to Education.
Answer:
The Right to Education (Article 21A) ensures free education for children aged 6-14 years.
Importance:
Promotes literacy and development.
Reduces social and economic inequality.
Ensures compulsory and free schooling.
Example: Implemented through the Right to Education Act (2009).
10. What is Habeas Corpus? How does it protect individual freedom?
Answer:
Habeas Corpus is a writ that prevents illegal detention.
Significance:
Ensures
personal liberty
and prevents wrongful arrests.
Allows courts to intervene in police actions.
Example: Used in the ADM Jabalpur Case (1976) during the Emergency.
11. What are the limitations of Fundamental Rights?
Answer:
Rights are not absolute and can be restricted for:
National security
(e.g., censorship during war).
Public order and morality
(e.g., banning hate speech).
Foreign relations
(e.g., limiting travel in conflict zones).
Example: Freedom of speech does not allow defamation.
12. Explain the Right against Exploitation.
Answer:
The Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 & 24) prohibits:
Human trafficking
and bonded
labour
.
Child
labour
in hazardous industries.
Example: Laws against child labour in factories.
13. What is affirmative action? Why is it important?
Answer:
Affirmative action refers to special policies to uplift marginalized communities.
Importance:
Ensures equal opportunities.
Reduces historical disadvantages.
Example: SC/ST reservations in education and jobs.
14. Discuss the relationship between rights and duties.
Answer:
Rights and duties are complementary. Enjoying rights requires fulfilling duties, like:
Right to vote → Duty to vote responsibly.
Right to free speech → Duty not to spread hate.
Example: Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) promote national integrity.
15. What is the role of the judiciary in protecting rights?
Answer:
Interprets and enforces rights.
Judicial review prevents unconstitutional laws.
Issues writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, etc.).
Example: Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) upheld Fundamental Rights.
