Questions on Fundamental Rights and Duties
1. What do you mean by rights and duties? How are they interrelated?
Rights are defined as claims of an individual that are essential for the development of his or her own self and that are recognized by society or State. A duty is something that someone is expected or required to do. Rights and duties are interdependent. Life can become smoother if rights and duties go hand in hand and become complementary to each other.
Rights are what we want others to do for us whereas the duties are those acts which we should perform for others. Thus, a right comes with an obligation to show respect for the rights of others. The obligations that accompany rights are in the form of duties.
2. Which of the following statements do not conform to the Right to Equality and why?
- Reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes provided only in a case of discrimination.
- A former Union Minister facing charges of corruption is exempted from attending the Court.
- Access to public places is open to all.
- Eligibility for employment is based on religion.
(i) Because the provision for reservation is not a case of discrimination.
(ii) Because everyone is equal before law and discrimination cannot be made on any basis including the status of a person.
(iv) Because religion cannot be made the sole basis of employment in any situation.
3. Which one of the following is not a form of untouchability?
- There are separate doors for entry in a sacred place, one for Dalits and one for others.
- A Gym refused to admit Dalit clients.
- Dalits share the village hand pumps for water with others.
- A Dalit bride was not allowed to wear a bridal dress on her marriage day.
(iii) Dalits share the village hand pumps for water with others.
4. What are the freedoms provided in the Indian Constitution?
(a) Freedom of speech and expression; (b) Freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms; (c) Freedom to form Associations and Unions; (d) Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India; (e) Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India; (f) Freedom to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business
5. Which freedom has been violated in the following cases?
- The state policy did not allow the leader of a particular political party to cross its border and enter the state without any reason.
- Workers were not allowed to unite and highlight their demands.
- People forced to leave their own state and go elsewhere.
- The son of a shoemaker was not allowed to open a sweet shop in the village.
- A political party was not accorded permission to hold a public meeting.
(i) Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India
(ii) Freedom to form Associations and Unions
(iii) Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India
(iv) Freedom to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business
(v) Freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms
6. What are the provisions in the Constitution for the protection of citizens in respect of conviction for offenders, the protection of life and personal liberty and the protection against arrest and detention?
Article 20, Article 21 and Article 22 respectively
7. What is the main objective of making ‘right against exploitation,’ a fundamental right?
Traditionally, the Indian society has been hierarchical that has encouraged exploitation in many forms. Which is why, the Constitution makes provisions against exploitation.
8. What are the major cultural and educational rights guaranteed by the Constitution?
In Articles 29-30 two major provisions have been made: Protection of interests of minorities; and Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
9. Tamil, Kannad and Telugu speaking people living in Delhi are amongst the many minority communities. What can they do to conserve their distinct language and culture?
Any minority having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.
10. Which one of the following situations is not covered under the Cultural and Educational Rights:
- To conserve one’s distinct language.
- No discrimination in granting funds to the minorities.
- Right to establish institutions of their own choice.
- The Minority school must admit children belonging to the majority community.
(d) Minority school must admit children belonging to majority community
11. "The right to constitutional remedies is the most important fundamental right." Do you agree with this statement?
Encroachment or violation of Fundamental Rights in our day to day life is a matter of great concern. Which is why, our Constitution does not permit the legislature and the executive to curb these rights. It provides legal remedies for the protection of our Fundamental Rights. This is called the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
12. Which international document on Human Rights was prepared and passed by the United Nations General Assembly?
The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Human Rights in 1948 and preserved them in Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
13. List any four Fundamental Rights which are Human Rights also.
Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right to Freedom of Religion and Cultural and Educational Rights
14. If you are to take a pledge to abide by four Fundamental Duties on the Independence Day, which four duties, according to you are the most important ones and why?
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem
(b) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
(c) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women
(d) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures
These duties are focused on the central spirit of the Constitution and the goals that Indian political system tries to achieve.