CBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 10: The Philosophy of Constitution NCERT Solutions

Yes, these laws are connected with fundamental values that underpin the Indian Constitution.

a. Underlying Value: Social Justice and Equality. This law promotes gender equality by ensuring that both daughters and sons have equal rights to family property. It directly addresses discrimination based on sex, upholding the constitutional principle of equality and social justice.

b. Underlying Value: Economic Justice and Equity. This law is based on the principle of economic justice. By implementing different sales tax rates (slabs) for various consumer items, the state aims to distribute the economic burden progressively, ensuring that essential goods are taxed less heavily than luxury items, thereby promoting fairness in economic transactions.

c. Underlying Value: Secularism. This provision is a clear manifestation of secularism. It ensures that the state remains neutral in matters of religion and does not promote or favour any particular religion in government-run educational institutions, thereby respecting the religious freedom of all citizens.

d. Underlying Value: Social Justice and Human Dignity. The prohibition of 'begar' or forced labour is a fundamental aspect of social justice. It upholds human dignity by preventing exploitation and ensuring that individuals are not compelled to work against their will, reinforcing the right against exploitation.

The option that cannot be used to complete the statement about the need for a constitution in democratic countries is:

(iii) Bring independence from colonial rule.

Reasoning: While achieving independence from colonial rule is a crucial historical event, it is not the primary function or a direct reason for a democratic country to *need* a constitution. A constitution is established *after* independence to govern the newly formed nation, to structure its government, define its powers, and protect citizens' rights. The other options (checking government power, protecting minorities, ensuring long-term vision, and facilitating peaceful social change) are all fundamental roles that a constitution plays in a democracy.

i. Relevancy of Constituent Assembly Debates:

Arguments for Relevancy Today:

• Statement (a) implies relevancy by highlighting the difficulty common people face in understanding the legal language, suggesting a need for interpretation or simplified access to these debates.
• Statement (c) explicitly argues for the relevance of the debates today, stating they provide reasons for important practices and are crucial when constitutional practices are challenged.

Argument Against Relevancy Today:

• Statement (b) argues that the debates are not relevant today because the conditions and challenges have changed significantly since the Constitution was made, making past ideas unsuitable for present times.

ii. Agreement with Positions:

There are valid points in each position, but agreement often depends on the perspective. Here are possible agreements:

Agreement with (a): One might agree with this position because the legal and technical language used in the Constituent Assembly debates can indeed be complex and inaccessible to the average citizen. Understanding the rationale behind constitutional provisions often requires expert interpretation or simplified explanations, making the debates relevant for those who need to grasp their meaning.

Disagreement with (b): This position can be disagreed with because while societal conditions change, the fundamental principles and values discussed by the Constitution makers often remain relevant. The Constitution has also been amended over time to adapt to new challenges, indicating a dynamic process rather than a complete disconnect from the past. The core philosophy often provides a foundational understanding.

Agreement with (c): This position is strongly agreeable. It emphasizes that many fundamental challenges and aspects of human society remain constant. The debates offer invaluable insights into the 'why' behind constitutional choices, which is essential for defending and upholding constitutional practices in the face of contemporary challenges and debates.

The Indian Constitution, while drawing inspiration from global ideas, has unique interpretations and applications of certain concepts compared to Western thought.

a. Understanding of Secularism:

Western Idea: Generally, Western secularism advocates for a strict separation between the state and religion. The state is often seen as having no role in religious affairs, treating religion primarily as a private matter for individuals, with no public or official recognition or support.

Indian Idea: India adopts a model of 'principled distance' or 'positive secularism'. While the state is neutral, it does not necessarily mean complete separation. The Indian state can intervene in religious affairs to reform practices or ensure equality, and it accords equal respect and status to all religions. It can also provide aid to religious communities or institutions, as seen in support for minority educational institutions.

b. Articles 370 and 371:

Western Federalism (e.g., USA): Typically characterized by constitutional symmetry, where states have similar powers and relationships with the federal government.

Indian Federalism (Articles 370 & 371): The Indian Constitution exhibits asymmetry. Article 370 (now abrogated) granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and specific provisions. Article 371 and its subsequent clauses provide special provisions for various states, particularly in the North-East, to protect their unique cultural identities, local customs, and socio-economic interests, reflecting a differentiated approach to federalism.

c. Affirmative Action:

Western Context (e.g., USA): Affirmative action programs gained prominence after the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, primarily aimed at addressing racial discrimination.

Indian Context: India constitutionally entrenched affirmative action (reservations) much earlier, primarily to address deep-rooted historical injustices based on caste. The Indian Constitution upholds the principle of social justice by implementing these programs, aiming to ensure representation and upliftment for historically disadvantaged communities, while striving to balance this with individual liberties.

d. Universal Adult Franchise:

General Principle: Universal adult franchise, the right of all adult citizens to vote regardless of property, gender, or race, is a common feature in most modern democracies, including Western nations and India. The principle itself is largely universal.

Indian Application: While the principle is shared, its adoption in India at the time of independence was a significant step, reflecting a deep commitment to democratic participation and equality for all citizens, irrespective of their social or economic background, in a newly independent nation with vast diversity and historical inequalities.