Exercises- Parliament and the Making of Laws

Exercises- Parliament and the Making of Laws Important Formulae

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Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?

Solution:

Why did our national movement support the idea that all adults have a right to vote?

The Indian national movement, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others, supported the idea of universal adult suffrage because it was seen as a key to achieving equality and justice in the country. The movement was focused on securing independence from British rule, but it also aimed at ensuring that the newly independent nation would be democratic and inclusive. The key reasons for supporting the right to vote for all adults were:

  • Equality for All: The national movement believed that every adult, regardless of their social, economic, or caste background, should have an equal voice in shaping the future of the country. Universal suffrage was seen as a way to empower marginalized groups such as women, Dalits, and the working class.
  • Democratic Principles: Leaders of the national movement were inspired by democratic ideals of self-governance. They believed that independence from British colonial rule should be followed by a government chosen by the people, for the people, through free and fair elections.
  • Opposition to British Colonialism: Under British rule, voting rights were restricted to a small, wealthy elite. By supporting universal adult suffrage, the national movement rejected the undemocratic practices of colonialism and aimed to establish a more inclusive and participatory political system.
  • Empowerment of Women and Marginalized Groups: One of the key goals of the national movement was to ensure social justice. Granting voting rights to all adults, including women and marginalized communities, was a step towards addressing historical inequalities and empowering these groups.

In this 2004 map of Parliamentary constituencies alongside, roughly identify the constituencies in your State. What is the name of the MP from your constituency? How many MPs does your state have? Why are certain constituencies coloured green while others are coloured blue?

Solution:

Identification of Parliamentary Constituencies

In this map, you can identify the Parliamentary constituencies in your state by locating the marked boundaries. To find the name of the MP from your constituency, you should refer to the local election results or the official website for your constituency. The number of MPs your state has can be determined by counting the constituencies within the state on the map.

The constituencies coloured green represent those where elections are held under a specific category, like reserved constituencies, while the blue-coloured constituencies are general categories. The colours signify different types of constituencies based on reservation or other factors, which play a role in the representation process.

3. You have read in Chapter 1 that the ‘Parliamentary form of government’ that exists in India has three tiers. This includes the Parliament (central government) and the various State Legislatures (state governments). Fill in the following table with information on the various representatives from your area: 


Which political party/parties is/are currently in power?
Who (name) is the current representative from your area?
Which political parties currently form the Opposition?
When were elections last held?
When will the next elections be held?
How many women representatives are there (from your state)?

Solution:

Which political party/parties is/are currently in power?

Answer here based on current political situation in your area.

Who (name) is the current representative from your area?

Answer here based on the current elected representative from your area.

Which political parties currently form the Opposition?

Answer here based on the current political opposition parties in your area.

When were elections last held?

Answer here based on the date of the last elections in your area.

When will the next elections be held?

Answer here based on the expected date for the next elections in your area.

How many women representatives are there (from your state)?

Answer here based on the number of women elected representatives in your state.

Re-read the storyboard on how a new law on domestic violence got passed. Describe in your own words the different ways in which women’s groups worked to make this happen.

Solution:

Women's Groups Efforts in Passing the Domestic Violence Law

Women's groups played a crucial role in advocating for the passing of the Domestic Violence Law. They used various methods to raise awareness and influence lawmakers.

Firstly, women’s groups organized rallies and protests to highlight the widespread issue of domestic violence. These public demonstrations helped bring attention to the problem and put pressure on the government to take action.

Additionally, they conducted awareness campaigns through media, both print and digital. They created and distributed pamphlets, videos, and posters that educated the public about domestic violence and its impact on women and families.

Women’s organizations also worked with legal experts to draft a law that would offer better protection and support to victims of domestic violence. These legal experts provided necessary information on how the law could be structured to be both effective and practical.

They also lobbied with lawmakers and government officials, meeting with them to discuss the need for the law. These lobbying efforts involved sharing personal stories of victims, presenting data on the rise in domestic violence cases, and explaining the importance of creating legal safeguards for women.

Furthermore, the groups built strong alliances with other civil society organizations, human rights groups, and even media outlets, ensuring that the issue received wide-ranging support. This helped build momentum for the cause.

Finally, through petitions and public campaigns, they gained significant support from the general public, which made it difficult for the lawmakers to ignore the issue, ultimately leading to the passing of the law.