Civics 2

Question 1

What is meant by a secular state ?

Answer 1

A secular state treats all religions equally, without favoring or discriminating against any religion.

Question 2

Define Fundamental Rights

Answer 2

The fundamental rights are the most basic human rights which ensure the dignity and freedom of an individual

Question 3

What is meant by Fundamental Duties?

Answer 3

something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation is fundamental duties.

Question 4

How many types of fundamental rights are listed in the Indian Constitution?

Answer 4

The Indian Constitution lists six types of Fundamental Rights:

1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

Question 5

Is Sri Lanka a secular state? Support your answer with arguments.

Answer 5

No, Sri Lanka is not a secular state.
In 1956, the Sri Lankan government declared Sinhala as the official language and later adopted Buddhism as the state religion.
This shows that the government gave preference to one religion and language, alienating other communities, particularly the Tamils, whose language and religion were not recognized.
A secular state would treat all religions equally, which was not the case in Sri Lanka at that time.

Question 6

List at least four features of Indian secularism.

Answer 6

1. No State Religion: India does not have any official state religion.
2. Equal Treatment: All religions are treated equally by the state.
3. Religious Freedom: Individuals can follow and practice their religion freely.
4. Separation of Religion and State: India maintains a separation between religion and government to ensure freedom for all.

Question 7

How has the Indian Constitution sought to enforce equality in India?

Answer 7

Short Note on Implementation of the Right to Equality:

The Constitution abolished untouchability to promote equality. It made it illegal to deny individuals access to public places or resources. Additionally, the Right to Equality removed titles such as Maharaja and Rai Sahib, which were seen as contrary to the principle of equality.

Question 8

What were the inspirations behind the fundamental rights adopted by India?

Answer 8

The inspirations behind the fundamental rights adopted by India were:

1. Declaration of Rights from the French Revolution of 1789, incorporated into the Constitution of France.
2. Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the United States of America, adopted in 1791.
3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN Assembly on 10 December 1948.

Question 9

Bring out the significance of fundamental duties.

Answer 9

Significance of Fundamental Duties:

Fundamental duties promote respect for the Constitution and national symbols, encourage civic responsibility, and uphold national unity.
They guide citizens to protect cultural heritage, the environment, and public property, while fostering ethical conduct and striving for excellence.
These duties help in building a just and progressive society.

Question 10

Give reasons why India decided to adopt the policy of separation of religion and state. Is this a watertight segregation elaborate?

Answer 10

India adopted the separation of religion and state to:

1. Ensure Equality: Make sure no religion is treated better or worse than others.
2. Prevent Conflicts: Avoid issues and disputes from mixing religion with state matters.
3. Support Secularism: Keep the government neutral in religious affairs to promote harmony.
4. Protect Rights: Ensure personal freedoms are not influenced by religion.

While the separation is strong, it’s not always perfect. The state sometimes interacts with religion in personal laws and cultural practices, aiming to balance respect and secular principles.

Question 11

Right to religion reflects the secular nature of the Indian constitution.comment.

Answer 11

The Right to Religion shows the Indian Constitution’s secular nature by:

1. Allowing Freedom: Citizens can practice, profess, and spread their religion freely.
2. Ensuring Equality: The state treats all religions equally and doesn’t favor any.
3. No State Religion: India doesn’t have an official state religion, keeping a neutral stance.
4. Protecting Rights: It protects religious freedoms without letting them interfere with others’ rights.

This ensures that religion remains a personal choice, with the state staying neutral in religious matters.