CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities PDF

CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9: Here are the notes for CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 9 on Public Facilities. This chapter explains the important services and infrastructure provided by the government that are crucial for the well-being of citizens. It discusses the importance of access to clean...

CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9: Here are the notes for CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 9 on Public Facilities. This chapter explains the important services and infrastructure provided by the government that are crucial for the well-being of citizens. It discusses the importance of access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, public transport, and healthcare, highlighting how these facilities contribute to a better quality of life. The chapter also examines the challenges in ensuring equitable distribution of public facilities and the role of the government in addressing these issues. CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities Overview These notes are prepared by subject experts of Physics Wallah provide an overview of CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities. They cover the essential aspects of public facilities, such as water, sanitation, electricity, and healthcare and explain their significance in improving the quality of life for citizens. The notes also discuss the government's role in ensuring that these facilities are accessible to all, addressing issues of inequality and the challenges faced in their distribution. This overview helps students grasp the critical concepts and understand the importance of public facilities in a democratic society. CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities PDF The PDF link for CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities is available below. These notes provide a detailed understanding of the chapter highlighting the importance of essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare in ensuring a decent quality of life for all citizens. This resource is invaluable for students preparing for exams providing a clear explanations and key insights into the topic. CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities PDF CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities Below we have provided CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities- Water and the People of Chennai The water situation in Chennai varies significantly across different areas, reflecting the inequality in access to this essential resource. In Anna Nagar, residents enjoy a regular water supply, and even in times of scarcity, they can easily arrange for a water tanker. This contrasts sharply with Mylapore, where water is available only every two days, and the borewell water is brackish, forcing residents to rely on expensive water tankers for their needs. The situation worsens in areas like Madipakkam, where water is available only every four days, and in the Saidapet Slum, where 30 hutments share a single tap, receiving water for just 20 minutes twice a day. These disparities highlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing basic public facilities like water. Water as Part of the Fundamental Right to Life Water is essential for sustaining life and maintaining good health. Safe drinking water is crucial in preventing water-related diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera, which tragically claim the lives of over 1,600 Indians every day, many of whom are children under the age of five. Access to clean water is not just a basic necessity; it is also a fundamental right enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life. This right ensures that every individual, regardless of their economic status, has access to sufficient and affordable water to meet their daily needs. The courts, including both the High Courts and the Supreme Court, have affirmed that the right to safe drinking water is a fundamental right, reinforcing the principle that universal access to water is a critical aspect of human dignity and survival. Public Facilities In addition to water, other essential public facilities provided to everyone include healthcare and sanitation, which are vital for maintaining public health and hygiene. Access to electricity, public transport, and educational institutions such as schools and colleges is also crucial for the overall development and well-being of a community. A key characteristic of public facilities is their ability to serve multiple people simultaneously; once these facilities are made available, they can benefit many individuals, contributing to the collective welfare of society. The Government’s Role The government plays a crucial role in ensuring that public facilities are accessible to everyone. Unlike private companies, which operate for profit, the government is responsible for providing essential services that may not generate profit but are vital for the well-being of the population. While private entities may be involved in sectors like education and healthcare, they often charge rates that are unaffordable for many. Public facilities are tied to basic human needs, and the government must step in to guarantee these services to all citizens, as part of the Right to Life enshrined in the Constitution. Where does the government get money for public facilities? The government funds public facilities through the budget, which is presented annually in Parliament. The budget details the government's expenditures on various programs from the previous year and outlines the planned spending for the upcoming year. This budget is primarily funded by taxes collected from citizens and businesses, as well as other sources of revenue such as duties, fees, and public sector enterprises. By allocating funds through the budget, the government ensures that public facilities like water, healthcare, education, and transportation are provided to meet the needs of the population. Water Supply to Chennai: Is it Available to All? The water supply in Chennai highlights the disparity in access to public facilities, particularly affecting those who are economically disadvantaged. While public facilities like water should be available to all, the reality in Chennai shows significant shortages and uneven distribution. Municipal water supply meets only about half of the city's needs, and those living near storage points enjoy a more regular supply than those in distant colonies. The poor bear the brunt of these shortfalls, as they often lack the resources to find alternative water sources. In contrast, the middle class can mitigate water shortages by digging borewells, purchasing tanker water, or relying on bottled water for drinking. Access to safe drinking water has become more of a privilege tied to financial means rather than a universally available public facility. This situation underscores the ongoing challenge of achieving universal and equitable access to essential resources like water. In Search of Alternatives The situation in Chennai, where water shortages and unequal distribution are prevalent, is reflective of a broader issue faced by many cities across India. During summer months, the crisis often intensifies, leading to an increased reliance on private companies that sell water for profit. This privatization trend, however, raises concerns about the fairness and affordability of access to water. The Urban Water Commission recommends a daily supply of 135 liters of water per person in urban areas, but this standard is far from being met for everyone. While people in luxury hotels may consume up to 1,600 liters per day, those living in slums often struggle with less than 20 liters. This stark disparity highlights the inadequacies in the current system, where the wealthy have access to ample resources, while the poor are left with minimal provisions. Some argue that the government’s inability to meet the water demand suggests that privatization might be the solution. However, global experiences indicate otherwise. In places where water supply was privatized, such as in Bolivia, the cost of water skyrocketed, leading to widespread protests and eventually forcing governments to reclaim control of the service. In contrast, there are instances where government-run water departments have successfully managed to improve both coverage and financial viability. Cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad have shown that with proper management, public water supply systems can be effective. In Chennai, the government has also taken initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and engaging private companies for water distribution under government regulation. Ultimately, water, along with other essential public facilities, is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. Ensuring that these facilities are provided equitably to all citizens is a primary responsibility of the government. The solution to water shortages does not lie in privatization but in strengthening public systems to ensure that every citizen has access to the basic resources they need to live a dignified life. Benefits of CBSE Class 8 Civics Notes Chapter 9 Public Facilities Comprehensive Understanding: The notes provide a detailed explanation of public facilities, including their types, importance, and the role of the government helping students gain a clear understanding of the subject. Enhanced Knowledge of Government Responsibilities: Students learn about the government's role in providing and managing public facilities, which is important for understanding the principles of governance and public administration. Awareness of Public Services: The notes cover essential public services like water supply, sanitation, healthcare, education, and transportation, ensuring students are well-versed in how these services impact daily life. Insight into Challenges: Understanding the challenges faced in providing public facilities, such as funding issues and inequities, prepares students to discuss and analyze real-world problems related to public services. Exam Preparation: The notes are structured to align with the CBSE curriculum, making it easier for students to prepare for exams by focusing on key concepts and answering exam-style questions effectively. Global and Local Perspectives: The notes provide a balanced view of public facilities both in local contexts (e.g., issues in Chennai) and globally, helping students relate their learning to broader and practical scenarios. Critical Thinking: By exploring the role of private companies and the concept of universal access, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate different approaches to managing public services. Improved Retention: The structured format and clear explanations in the notes help in better retention of information, making it easier for students to recall important details during exams.  Confronting Chapter 6 Marginalisation In the previous chapter, we read about two different groups and their experiences of inequality and discrimination. Though powerless, such groups have fought, protested and struggled against being excluded or dominated by others. They have attempted to overcome their situation by adopting a range of strategies in their long history. Religious solace, armed struggle, self improvement and education, economic uplift – there appears to be no one way of doing things. In all cases, the choice of struggle has depended on the circumstances that the marginalised find themselves in. In this chapter, we will read about some of the ways in which groups and individuals challenge existing inequalities. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, women and other marginal groups argue that simply by being citizens of a democratic country, they possess equal rights that must be respected. Many among them look up to the Constitution to address their concerns. In this chapter, we will see why the Constitution of India is something that marginalised groups invoke in the course of their struggles. As part of this, we will look at how rights are translated into laws to protect groups from continued exploitation and we will also look at the government’s efforts to formulate policies to promote the access of these groups to development. Social and Political Life 74 2024-25  Confronting Marginalisation Invoking Fundamental Rights The Constitution, as you have learnt in the first chapter of this book, lays down the principles that make our society and polity democratic. They are defined in and through the list of Fundamental Rights that are an important part of the Constitution. These rights are available to all Indians equally. As far as the marginalised are concerned, they have drawn on these rights in two ways: first, by insisting on their Fundamental Rights, they have forced the government to recognise the injustice done to them. Second, they have insisted that the government enforce these laws. In some instances, the struggles of the marginalised have influenced the government to frame new laws, in keeping with the spirit of the Fundamental Rights. Article 17 of the Constitution states that untouchability has been abolished – what this means is that no one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities etc. It also means that it is wrong to practise untouchability and that this practice will not be tolerated by a democratic government. In fact, untouchability is a punishable crime now. There are other sections in the Constitution that help to strengthen the argument against untouchability – for example, Article 15 of the Constitution notes that no citizen of India shall be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (you learnt a lot about this in your Class VII textbook in the chapter On Equality in Indian Democracy). This has been used by Dalits to seek equality where it has been denied to them. 75 Chapter 6: Confronting Marginalisation 2024-25  Therefore, Dalits can ‘invoke’ or ‘draw on’ a Fundamental The poem below is written by Soyrabai, the wife of the well- Right (or Rights) in situations where they feel that they known Bhakti poet Chokhamela have been treated badly by some individual or community, from fourteenth century or even by the government. They have drawn the attention Maharashtra. They belonged to of the government of India to the Constitution, demanding the Mahar caste, which was at that the government abide by it and do justice to them. that time considered untouchable. Likewise, other minority groups have drawn on the Fundamental Rights section of our Constitution. They have A body is unclean, they say particularly drawn upon the right to freedom of religion Only the soul is untainted and cultural and educational rights. In the case of cultural and educational rights, distinct cultural and religious groups But the impurity of the body like the Muslims and Parsis have the right to be the Is born within the body guardians of the content of their culture, as well as the right …By which ritual does the body to make decisions on how best this content is to be become pure? preserved. Thus, by granting different forms of cultural Not a creature has been born except in a bloody womb. rights, the Constitution tries to ensure cultural justice to such groups. The Constitution does this so that the culture This is the glory of God, of these groups is not dominated nor wiped out by the Defilement exists within. culture of the majority community. The body is polluted from within, Be sure of it says the Mahari Chokha Laws for the Marginalised Quoted in Uma Chakravarti, Gendering Caste: Through a As you have read, the government makes laws to protect Feminist Lens, Stree, 2003, p. 99 its citizens. Yet, this is not the only way in which it takes action. There are specific laws and policies for the Soyrabai is questioning the idea marginalised in our country. There are policies or schemes of purity and arguing that since that emerge through other means like setting up a every human is born in the same committee or by undertaking a survey etc. The government manner, there is nothing that then makes an effort to promote such policies in order to makes one body less or more pure than the other. She is give opportunities to specific groups. possibly also trying to say that pollution, a key tool of the caste Promoting Social Justice system to separate or deny As part of their effort to implement the Constitution, both people access to spaces, work, state and central governments create specific schemes for knowledge and dignity, occurs implementation in tribal areas or in areas that have a high not through the nature of work done, but ‘from within’- from Dalit population. For example, the government provides for your thoughts, values and free or subsidised hostels for students of Dalit and Adivasi beliefs. communities so that they can avail of education facilities that may not be available in their localities. Social and Political Life 76 2024-25 In addition to providing certain facilities, the government also operates through laws to ensure that concrete steps are taken to end inequity in the system. One such law/policy is the reservation policy that today is both significant and highly contentious. The laws which reserve seats in education and government employment for Dalits and Adivasis are based on an important argument- that in a society like ours, where for centuries sections of the population have been denied opportunities to learn and to work in order to develop new skills or vocations, a democratic government needs to step in and assist these sections. How does the reservation policy work? Governments across India have their own list of Scheduled Castes (or Dalits), Scheduled Tribes and backward and most backward castes. The central government too has its list. Students applying to educational institutions and those applying for posts in government are expected to furnish proof of their caste or tribe status, in the form of caste and tribe certificates. (Many government and educational institutions also ask for candidates to mention their caste/tribe status.) If a particular Dalit caste or a certain tribe is on the government list, then a candidate from that caste or tribe can avail of the benefit of reservation. For admission to colleges, especially to institutes of State one reason why you professional education, such as medical colleges, governments think reservations play an important role in providing define a set of ‘cut-off’ marks. This means that not all Dalit social justice to Dalits and and tribal candidates can qualify for admission, but only those Adivasis. who have done reasonably well and secured marks above the cut-off point. Governments also offer special scholarships for these students. In your Class IX Political Science textbook, you will read more on reservations for the backward classes. List of schemes What is this How do you think it will help promote scheme about? social justice? Scholarships for students Special police stations Special schemes for girls in government schools Q 77 Chapter 6: Confronting Marginalisation 2024-25  Protecting the Rights of Dalits and Adivasis In addition to policies our country also has specific laws that guard against the discrimination and exploitation of marginalised communities. Let us read the following case- study, adapted from a real-life account, to understand how You may have read Kabir’s Dalits use the protection that laws provide. poems in your language textbooks. Kabir was a fifteenth The villagers of Jakmalgur are gearing up for a big festival. century poet and weaver who Once in five years, the local deity is honoured and priests also belonged to the Bhakti tradition. Kabir’s poetry spoke from 20 neighbouring villages come for this five-day event. about his love for the supreme The ceremony begins with a member of the Dalit community being free of ritual and priests. washing the feet of all the priests and then bathing in the It also expresses his sharp and water used for this. In Jakmalgur, the person who performed pointed criticism of those he this task belonged to Rathnam’s family. His father and saw as powerful. Kabir attacked those who attempted to define grandfather had both performed the same task before him. individuals on the basis of their Though they were never allowed to enter the temple, this religious and caste identities. ritual was viewed as a great honour bestowed on them on In his view every person had this special occasion. Now it was Rathnam’s turn. Rathnam the ability to reach the highest level of spiritual salvation and was all of 20 years, studying engineering in a nearby college. deep knowledge within He refused to perform the ritual. themselves through their own experience. His poetry brings He said that he had no faith in this practice and that his out the powerful idea of the family members were forced to perform this ritual because equality of all human beings they were Dalits. Rathnam’s refusal angered both the and their labour. He writes powerful castes in the village and some families from his about valuing the work of the own community. The powerful castes were shocked that ordinary potter, the weaver and the woman carrying the water such a young boy had the guts to refuse. They believed pot – labour that in his poetry that it was Rathnam’s education which allowed him to becomes the basis of imagine that he could start comparing himself with them. understanding the entire universe. His direct, courageous Those from Rathnam’s own caste were fearful of angering challenge inspired many and the powerful. Many worked on their fields as daily-wage even today Kabir’s poetry is labourers. If the dominant castes decided to not call them, sung and appreciated by Dalits, then what would they earn? How would they survive? They marginalised groups and those critical of social hierarchies in also declared that the wrath of the local deity would strike U.P., Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya them if they refused to give in. Rathnam argued that given Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar and that not a single Dalit had ever entered the temple, how Gujarat. could the deity be angry with them? Social and Political Life 78 2024-25 The powerful castes decided to teach Rathnam a lesson. His In your opinion does the force community was ordered to ostracise him and his family, put on Rathnam to perform this ritual violate his and everyone was told that no one should speak or do any Fundamental Rights? work for them or with them. One night some men entered their part of the village and set his hut on fire. He managed Why do you think the Dalit families were afraid of to escape with his mother. Rathnam, then went to file a angering the powerful castes? case in the local police station under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Other Dalit families still did not come out in his support as they were scared that a similar fate might await them if they spoke out. The case was picked up by the local media that led to many journalists visiting the village. Rathnam was written about as a symbol of Dalit action. The ritual was called off, but his family was forced to move out as they continued to be ostracised by the powerful castes in the village. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Rathnam sought the support of law, filing his complaint under the above Act to protest against the domination and violence of the powerful castes in his village. This Act was framed in 1989 in response to demands made by Dalits and others that the government must take seriously the ill treatment and humiliation Dalits and tribal groups face in an everyday sense. While such treatment had persisted for a long time, it had acquired a violent character in the late 1970s and 1980s. During this period, in parts of southern India, a number of assertive Dalit groups came into being and asserted their rights – they refused to perform their so-called caste duties and insisted on being treated equally; like Rathnam they refused to follow practices located in the humiliation and exploitation of Dalits. This resulted in the more powerful castes unleashing violence against them. In order to indicate to the government that untouchability was still being practised and in the most hideous manner, Dalit groups demanded new laws that would list the various sorts of violence against dalits and prescribe stringent punishment for those who indulge in them. 79 Chapter 6: Confronting Marginalisation 2024-25 Pandit, Look in your heart for Likewise, throughout the 1970s and 1980s Adivasi people knowledge successfully organised themselves and demanded equal Tell me where untouchability rights and for their land and resources to be returned to Came from, since you believe in it. them. They too had to face the anger of powerful social Mix red juice, white juice and air groups and were subject to a great deal of violence. A body bakes in a body … This is why this Act contains a very long list of crimes, We eat by touching, we wash some of which are too horrible even to contemplate. The by touching, from a touch Act does not only describe terrible crimes, but also lets the world was born. people know what dreadful deeds human beings are capable So who’s untouched, asks Kabir? of. In this sense, laws such as these seek to both punish as Only she well as influence the way we think and act. Who is free from delusion The Act distinguishes several levels of crimes. Firstly, it lists modes of humiliation that are both physically horrific In this poem, Kabir is challenging and morally reprehensible and seeks to punish those who the priest by directly questioning at him about where (i) force a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe untouchability came from. He to drink or eat any inedible or obnoxious substance; … (iii) asks the priest to look for forcibly removes clothes from the person of a member of a knowledge in his heart and not in Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe or parades him or the scriptures. Kabir goes on to her naked or with painted face or body or commits any describe how every human body is made of blood and air and has similar act which is derogatory to human dignity… spent nine months in the mother’s womb. And that everything in the Secondly, it lists actions that dispossess Dalits and Adivasis world is created by touching of their meagre resources or which force them into something whether it be a pot, a performing slave labour. Thus, the Act sets out to punish human being or a painting. anyone who (iv) wrongfully occupies or cultivates any land He takes the word untouchable owned by, or allotted to, … a member of a Scheduled Caste and gives it a very different or a Scheduled Tribe or gets the land allotted to him meaning. He claims that transferred; untouchability is the highest state of knowledge: it means not be At another level, the Act recognizes that crimes against touched by narrow limiting ideas. Therefore, Kabir finally turns the Dalit and tribal women are of a specific kind and, therefore, idea of untouchability on its seeks to penalise anyone who (xi) assaults or uses force on head- from the lowest to the any woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled highest state that a human being Tribe with intent to dishonour her … can achieve! Can you list two different provisions in the 1989 Act? Look up the glossary and write in your own words what you understand by the term ‘morally reprehensible’. Social and Political Life 80 2024-25 The Scourge of Manual Scavenging Manual scavenging refers to the practice of removing human and animal waste/excreta using brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carrying it on the head to disposal grounds some distance away. A manual scavenger is the person who does the job of carrying this filth. This job is mainly done by Dalit women and young girls. According to the Andhra Pradesh-based Safai Karamchari Andolan, an organisation working with manual scavengers, there are one lakh persons from Dalit communities who continue to be employed in this job in this country and who work in 26 lakh private and community dry latrines managed by municipalities. Manual scavengers are exposed to subhuman conditions of work and face serious health hazards. They are constantly A manual scavenger at work exposed to infections that affect their eyes, skin, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems. They get very low wages for the work they perform. Those working in urban municipalities earn ` 200 per day and those working privately are paid much less. As you have read earlier in this book, the practice of untouchability has been abolished by the Indian Constitution. However, manual scavengers in different parts of the country, the Bhangis in Gujarat, Pakhis in Andhra Pradesh and the Sikkaliars in Tamil Nadu, continue to be considered untouchable. They often live in separate settlements on the outskirts of the village and are denied access to the temple, public water facilities etc. In 1993, the government passed the Employment of Manual Members of the Safai Karamchari Andolan demolishing a dry latrine. Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. This law prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as the construction of dry latrines. In 2003, the Safai What do you understand by Karamchari Andolan and 13 other organisations and manual scavenging? individuals, including seven scavengers, filed a PIL in the Re-read the list of Supreme Court. The petitioners complained that manual Fundamental Rights provided scavenging still existed and it continued in government on page 14 and list two rights undertakings like the railways. The petitioners sought enforcement of their Fundamental Rights. The court observed that this practice violates? that the number of manual scavengers in India had increased Why did the Safai Karamchari since the 1993 law. It directed every department/ministry of the Andolan file a PIL in 2003? union government and state governments to verify the facts What did they complain about within six months. If manual scavenging was found to exist, in their petition? then the government department has to actively take up a time-bound programme for their liberation and rehabilitation. What did the Supreme Court The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and do on hearing their case in their Rehabilitation Act came into force on 6 December 2013. 2005? 81 Chapter 6: Confronting Marginalisation 2024-25  Adivasi Demands and the 1989 Act The 1989 Act is important for another reason – Adivasi activists refer to it to defend their right to occupy land that was traditionally theirs. As you read in the previous chapter Adivasis are often unwilling to move from their land and are forcibly displaced. Activists have asked that those who have forcibly encroached upon tribal lands should be punished under this law. They have also pointed to the fact that this Act merely confirms what has already been promised to tribal people in the Constitution – that land belonging to tribal people cannot be sold to or bought by non-tribal people. In cases where this has happened, the Constitution guarantees the right of tribal people to re-possess their land. C.K. Janu, an Adivasi activist, has also pointed out that one The central government passed the Scheduled of the violators of Constitutional rights guaranteed to tribal Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers people are governments in the various states of India – for it (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The is they who allow non-tribal encroachers in the form of introduction to the final Act states that this Act is meant to undo the historical injustices timber merchants, paper mills etc, to exploit tribal land, and meted out to forest dwelling populations in not to forcibly evict tribal people from their traditional forests recognising their rights to land and resources. This Act recognises their right to homestead, in the process of declaring forests as reserved or as sanctuaries. cultivable and grazing land and to non-timber She has also noted that in cases where tribals have already forest produce. The Act also points out that been evicted and cannot go back to their lands, they must be the rights of forest dwellers includes conservation of forests and bio-diversity. compensated. That is, the government must draw up plans and policies for them to live and work elsewhere. After all, governments spend large sums of money on building industrial or other projects on lands taken from tribals – so why should they be reluctant to spend even very modest amounts on rehabilitating the displaced? Conclusion As we can see, the existence of a right or a law or even a policy on paper does not mean that it exists in reality. People have had to constantly work on or make efforts to translate these into principles that guide the actions of their fellow citizens or even their leaders. The desire for equality, dignity and respect is not new. It has existed in different forms throughout our history as you have seen in this chapter. Similarly, even in a democratic society, similar processes of struggle, writing, negotiation and organising need to continue. Social and Political Life 82 2024-25  Exercises 1. List two Fundamental Rights in the Constitution that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals. Re-read the Fundamental Rights listed on page 14 to help you answer this question. 2. Re-read the story on Rathnam as well as the provisions of the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Now list one reason why you think he used this law to file a complaint. 3. Why do Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossession? Is there anything specific in the provisions of the Act that allows her to believe this? 4. The poems and the song in this Unit allow you to see the range of ways in which individuals and communities express their opinions, their anger and their sorrow. In class, do the following two exercises: (a) Bring to class a poem that discusses a social issue. Share this with your classmates. Work in small groups with two or more poems to discuss their meaning as well as what the poet is trying to communicate. (b)Identify a marginalised community in your locality. Write a poem, or song, or draw a poster etc to express your feelings as a member of this community. GLOSSARY Assertive: An assertive person or group is one that can express themselves and their views strongly. Confront: To come face to face or to challenge someone or something. In the context of this chapter, this refers to groups challenging their marginalisation. Dispossessed: To possess is to own something and to be dispossessed is to have to give up ownership or to give up authority. Ostracise: This means to exclude or banish an individual or a group. In the context of this chapter, it refers to a social boycott of an individual and his family. Morally reprehensible: This refers to an act that violates all norms of decency and dignity that a society believes in. It usually refers to a hideous and repugnant act that goes against all the values that a society has accepted. Policy: A stated course of action that provides direction for the future, sets goals to be achieved or lays out principles or guidelines to be followed and acted upon. In this chapter, we have referred to government policies. But other institutions like schools, companies, etc. also have policies. 83 Chapter 6: Confronting Marginalisation 2024-25  Presented by Smt. Sheela Sudhakar PGT Economics AECS Kaiga  Meaning of Socially Marginalised  Who are Adivasis?  Adivasis and Stereotyping  Adivasis and Development  ‘To be marginalised’ is to be forced to occupy the sides or fringes and thus not be at the centre of things.  Marginalized Populations or groups of people are socially excluded and experience inequalities in the distribution of resources and power  In simple words, judging and discriminating a person through appearance is called marginalisation MEANING; In the social environment too, groups of people or communities may have the experience of being excluded. This is known as social marginalisation. REASONS; Their marginalisation can be because they-  They speak a different language,  Follow different customs and traditions and  Belong to a different religious group from the majority community.  They may also feel marginalised because they are poor, considered to be of ‘low’ social status and viewed as being less human than others.  Thus economic, social, cultural and political factors work together to make certain groups in society feel marginalised  IMPACT; Marginalised groups are viewed with hostility and fear. Marginalised communities are not having any access to resources and opportunities This leads to sense of difference and exclusion Lack of representation and participation in governance. They experience a sense of disadvantage and powerlessness to assert their rights It results in poverty and backwardness.  Tribals are also referred to as Adivasis.  Adivasis–literally means ‘original inhabitants’, communities who lived and continue to live, in close association with forests.  They are distinctive because there is often very little hierarchy among them and this makes them radically different from communities organised around principles of jati-varna (caste) or those that were ruled by kings.  About 8% of India’s population is Adivasi Most of the country’s mining and industrial centres are located in Adivasi areas like Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Bokaro and Bhilai, among others. Adivasis are not a homogeneous population; there are over 500 various Adivasi groups in India. In Odisha alone there are 60 different tribal groups Adivasis are numerous in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and in the north- eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.  Adivasis practise a range of tribal religions that are different from Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. They worship their ancestors, village and nature spirits, the last associated with and residing in various sites in the landscape – ‘mountain-spirits’, ‘river-spirits’, ‘animal-spirits’, etc.  The village spirits-worshipped at specific sacred groves within the village boundary, the ancestral ones- worshipped at home.  Adivasis-influenced by different surrounding religions like Shakta, Buddhist, Vaishnav, Bhakti and Christianity.  Adivasi religions-influenced dominant religions of the empires around them, for example, the Jagannath cult of Odisha and Shakti and Tantric traditions in Bengal and Assam.  During the 19th century, substantial numbers of Adivasis converted to Christianity, which has emerged as a very important religion in modern Adivasi history. Adivasis have their own languages (most of them radically different from and possibly as old as Sanskrit), which have often deeply influenced the formation of ‘mainstream’ Indian languages, like Bengali. Santhali has the largest number of speakers and has a significant body of publications including magazines on the internet or in e-zines  Forests covered a major part of our country until the 19th century.  Adivasis had a deep knowledge of, access to, as well as control over most of these vast tracts at least till the middle of the nineteenth century. They were not ruled by large states and empires. Instead, often empires heavily depended on Adivasis for the crucial access to forest resources.  In the pre-colonial world, they were traditionally ranged hunter- gatherers and nomads and lived by shifting agriculture and also cultivating in one place. For the past 200 years, Adivasis have been increasingly forced – through economic changes, forest policies and political force applied by the State and private industry – to migrate to lives as workers in plantations, at construction sites, in industries and as domestic workers. For the first time in history, they do not control or have much direct access to the forest territories.  From the 1830s onwards, Adivasis from Jharkhand and adjoining areas moved in very large numbers to various plantations in India and the world – Mauritius, the Caribbean and even Australia. India’s tea industry became possible with their labour in Assam. Forestlands-cleared for timber and to get land for agriculture and industry. Adivasis-lived in areas that are rich in minerals and other natural resources, which were taken over for mining and other large industrial projects. Powerful forces collude to take over tribal land forcefully and procedures are not followed.  According to official figures, over 50% of persons displaced due to mines and mining projects are tribals. Another recent survey report by organisations working among Adivasis shows that 79% of the persons displaced from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand are tribals. Huge tracts of their lands have also gone under the waters of hundreds of dams that have been built in independent India. India has 104 national parks covering 40,501 sq km and 543 wildlife sanctuaries covering 1,18,918 sq km. These are areas where tribals originally lived but were evicted from. When they continue to stay in these forests, they are termed, encroachers In the Northeast, their lands remain highly militarised. Losing their lands and access to the forest means that tribals lose their main sources of livelihood and food. many Adivasis have migrated to cities in search of work where they are employed for very low wages in local industries or at building or construction sites. When Adivasis are displaced from their lands, they lose much more than a source of income-lose their traditions and customs – a way of living and being , 45% of tribal groups in rural areas and 35% in urban areas live below the poverty line leading to deprivation in other areas- malnourished tribal children- low Literacy rates, etc.  In support of Forest Rights Act There exists an interconnectedness between the economic and social dimensions of tribal life. Destruction in one sphere naturally impacts the other. Often this process of dispossession and displacement can be painful and violent. Unit Two Social and Political Life 28 2024-25  the Making of Laws Parliament and Teacher’s Note This is a continuation of the theme of government that has already been dealt with in the Class VI and VII textbooks. Hence, a recap of ideas is important especially those related to elections, representation and participation. These ideas can be made more clear to students through bringing in actual examples into the classroom. Newspaper and TV reports could be used to facilitate this. Chapter 3 discusses some of the functions of Parliament. The ways in which these connect to the idea of parliamentary democracy need to be emphasised. Hence it is important to explain the critical role played by citizens and allow students to air views regarding this. At times students might be cynical about the political process and your role as a teacher is not to dismiss or agree with this cynicism but rather redirect it towards what the Constitution intends. Chapter 3 is also on understanding laws. Children have little exposure to laws. Therefore, they would require more examples from a familiar context. It is through this they can figure out that laws are meant to apply in an equitable manner. The storyboard contained in Chapter 3 portrays how a new law comes into being. The focus of this storyboard is not on the processes within Parliament. In contrast, the storyboard highlights the important role that people play in transforming an urgent social issue into law. In addition to the law already highlighted, it would be good to discuss another example of a new/contemplated law so that students can relate to the role of people in bringing this about. The chapter ends with a section on unpopular laws. These refer to laws that often restrict the Fundamental Rights of certain populations. History provides us with examples of several groups that protest what they view as unjust laws. Bring in these examples into the classroom to discuss how a law can be unpopular. Allow students to research more examples in the Indian context and debate these in the classroom using the Fundamental Rights listed in Chapter 1 as their yardstick. 29 2024-25 Chapter 3 Parliament and the Making of Laws We in India pride ourselves on being a democracy. Here we will try and understand the relation between the ideas of participation in decision-making and the need for all democratic governments to have the consent of their citizens. It is these elements that together make us a democracy and this is best expressed in the institution of the Parliament. In this chapter, we will try to see how the Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision making and control the government, thus making it the most important symbol of Indian democracy and a key feature of the Constitution. Social and Political Life 30 2024-25  Parliament and the Making of Laws Why should People Decide? India, as we know, became independent on 15 August 1947. What do you think the artist Preceding this was a long and difficult struggle in which is trying to convey through many sections of society participated. People from various the image of Parliament on the previous page? backgrounds joined the struggle and they were inspired by the ideas of freedom, equality and participation in decision– making. Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions that they took. But they faced grave danger if they tried to criticise these decisions. The freedom movement changed this situation. The nationalists began to openly criticise the British government and make demands. As far back as 1885, the Indian National Congress demanded that there be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget and ask questions. The Government of India Act 1909, allowed for some elected representation. While these early legislatures under the British government were in response to the growing demands of the nationalists, they did not allow for all adults to vote nor could people participate in decision making. As you read in Chapter 1, the experience of colonial rule as well as the participation of different people in the struggle for freedom left little doubt in the minds of the nationalists that all persons in independent India would be able to participate in making decisions. With the coming of independence, we were going to be citizens of a free country. This did not mean that the government could do what it felt like, it meant that the government had to be The above photo shows a voter reading instructions on how to use an Electronic Voting sensitive to people’s needs and demands. The dreams and Machine (EVM). EVMs were used throughout aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the country for the first time in the 2004 the Constitution of independent India that laid down the general elections. The use of EVMs in 2004 saved around 1,50,000 trees which would principle of universal adult franchise, i.e. that all adult have been cut to produce about 8,000 tons of citizens of the country have the right to vote. paper for printing the ballot papers. 31 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25 Give one reason why you think People and their Representatives there should be universal adult franchise. The take-off point for a democracy is the idea of consent, i.e. Do you think there would be the desire, approval and participation of people. It is the any difference if the class decision of people that creates a democratic government and monitor was selected by the decides about its functioning. The basic idea in this kind of teacher or elected by the democracy is that the individual or the citizen is the most students? Discuss. important person and that in principle the government as well as other public institutions need to have the trust of these citizens. How does the individual give approval to the government? One way of doing so, as you read, is through elections. People would elect their representatives to the Parliament, then, one group from among these elected representatives forms the government. The Parliament, which is made up of all representatives together, controls and guides the government. In this sense people, through their chosen representatives, form the government and also control it. This photo shows election staff using an elephant to carry polling material and EVMs to polling stations located in difficult terrain. Social and Political Life 32 2024-25 The above idea of representation has been an important theme in your Class VI and VII Social and Political Life textbooks. You are familiar with how representatives are chosen at different levels of government. Let us recall these ideas by doing the following exercises. 1. Use the terms ‘constituency’ and ‘represent’ to explain who an MLA is and how the person gets elected? 2. Discuss with your teacher the difference between a State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Parliament (Lok Sabha). 3. From the list below, identify the work of a State government and that of a Central government. (a) The decision of the Indian government to maintain peaceful relations with China. (b) The decision of the Madhya Pradesh government to discontinue Board exams in Class VIII for all schools under this Board. (c) Introduction of a new train connection between Ajmer and Mysore. Q (d) Introduction of a new 1,000 rupee note. 4. Fill in the blanks with the following words. universal adult franchise; MLAs; representatives; directly Democratic governments in our times are usually referred to as representative democracies. In representative democracies, people do not participate ……...............… but, instead, choose their ….............……..through an election process. These …….......….. meet and make decisions for the entire population. These days, a government cannot call itself democratic unless it allows what is known as............................................ This means that all adult citizens in the country are allowed to vote. 5. You have read that most elected members whether in the Panchayat, or the Vidhan Sabha or the Parliament are elected for a fixed period of five years. Why do we have a system where the representatives are elected for a fixed period and not for life? 6. You have read that people participate in other ways and not just through elections to express approval or disapproval of the actions of government. Can you describe three such ways through a small skit? 33 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25 1 2 3 1. The Parliament of India (Sansad) is the supreme law-making institution. It has two Houses, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. 2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States), with a total strength of 250 members, is chaired by the Vice-President of India. 3. Lok Sabha (House of the People), with a total membership of 543, is presided over by the Speaker. The Role of the Parliament Created after 1947, the Indian Parliament is an expression of the faith that the people of India have in principles of democracy. These are participation by people in the decision- making process and government by consent. The Parliament in our system has immense powers because it is the representative of the people. Elections to the Parliament are held in a similar manner as they are for the state legislature. The Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years. The country is divided into numerous constituencies as shown in the map on page 45. Each of these constituencies elects one person to the Parliament. The candidates who contest elections usually belong to different political parties. Social and Political Life 34 2024-25 With the help of the table below, let us understand this further. Results of the 17th Lok Sabha Elections, (May 2019) Political Party No. of MPs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 303 Use the table alongside to Indian National Congress (INC) 52 answer the questions below: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 24 Who will form the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) 22 government? Why? Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) 22 Who will be present for Shiv Sena (SS) 18 discussions in the Lok Sabha? Janata Dal (United) (JD (U)) 16 Is this process similar to what Biju Janata Dal (BJD) 12 you have read about in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 10 Class VII? Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) 9 Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) 5 Samajwadi Party (SP) 5 Independents (Ind.) 4 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 4 Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI)(M)) 3 Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) 3 Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (J & KNC) 3 Telugu Desam Party (TDP) 3 All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) 2 Apna Dal (Apna Dal) 2 Communist Party of India (CPI) 2 The photograph on page 28 Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 2 shows results from the 3rd Lok Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 1 Sabha elections held in 1962. AJSU Party (AJSU) 1 Use the photograph to answer the following questions: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) 1 All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) 1 a. Which state has the highest Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(s)) 1 number of MPs in the Lok Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) 1 Sabha? Why do you think this Kerala Congress (M)(KC(M)) 1 is so? Mizo National Front (MNF) 1 b. Which state has the least Naga Peoples Front (NPF) 1 number of MPs in the Lok National People’s Party (NPP) 1 Sabha? Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (PDPP) 1 c. Which political party has Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) 1 won the most seats in all Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) 1 states? Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) 1 d. Which party do you think Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) 1 will form the government? Give Grand Total 543 reasons why. Source: http://loksabha.nic.in 35 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25  Once elected, these candidates become Members Results of the 15th Lok Sabha Elections, of Parliament or MPs. These MPs together make (May 2009) up the Parliament. Once elections to the Parliament have taken place, the Parliament needs Political Party No. of MPs to perform the following functions: National Parties A. To Select the National Government Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 21 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 116 Parliament of India consists of the President, the Rajya Communist Party of India (CPI) 4 Sabha and the Lok Sabha. After the Lok Sabha elections, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 16 a list is prepared showing how many MPs belong to (CPM) each political party. For a political party to form the Indian National Congress (INC) 206 government, they must have a majority of elected MPs. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 9 Since there are 543 elected members in Lok Sabha, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) 4 to have a majority a party should have at least half State Parties (Regional Parties) All India Anna DMK (AIADMK) 9 the number i.e. 272 members or more. The All India Forward Bloc 2 Opposition in Parliament is formed by all the All India Trinamool Congress 19 political parties that are not part of the majority Biju Janata Dal (BJD) 14 party/coalition formed. The largest amongst these Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 18 parties is called the Opposition party. Jammu & Kashmir National Conference 3 One of the most important functions of the Lok Janata Dal (Secular) 3 Janata Dal (United) 20 Sabha is to select the executive. The executive, as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha 2 you read in Chapter 1, is a group of persons who Muslim League Kerala State Committee 2 work together to implement the laws made by the Revolutionary Socialist Party 2 Parliament. This executive is often what we have Samajwadi Party (SP) 23 in mind when we use the term government. Shiromani Akali Dal 4 The Prime Minister of India is the leader of the Shiv Sena 11 Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) 2 ruling party in the Lok Sabha. From the MPs who Telugu Desam (TDP) 6 belong to her party, the Prime Minister selects Other Regional Parties 6 ministers to work with her to implement Registered Unrecognised Parties 12 decisions. These ministers then take charge of Independents 9 different areas of government functioning like health, education, finance etc. Grand Total 543 Source: www.eci.nic.in Often times in the recent past it has been difficult The above table gives you the results of the 15th for a single political party to get the majority that Lok Sabha elections held in 2009. In these is required to form the government. They then elections, the INC got a large number of seats but still not enough to emerge as the majority party in join together with different political parties who the Lok Sabha. It, thus, had to form a coalition, are interested in similar concerns to form what is the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), with other known as a coalition government. political parties who were its allies. Social and Political Life 36 2024-25 These two buildings of the Central Secretariat, the South Block and North Block were built during the 1930s. The photo on the left is of the South Block which houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs. The North Block is the photo on the right and this has the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The other ministries of the Union Government are located in various buildings in New Delhi. The Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha can also initiate legislation and a bill is required to pass through the Rajya Sabha in order to become a law. It, therefore, has an important role of reviewing and altering (if alterations are needed) the laws initiated by the Lok Sabha. The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of various states. There are 233 elected members plus 12 members nominated by the President. B. To Control, Guide and Inform the Government The Parliament, while in session, begins with a question hour. The question hour is an important mechanism through which MPs can elicit information about the working of the government. This is a very important way through which the Parliament controls the executive. By asking questions the government is alerted to its shortcomings, and also comes to know the opinion of the people through their representatives in the Parliament, i.e. the MPs. Asking questions of the government is a crucial task for every MP. The Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy. They highlight drawbacks in various policies and programmes of the government and mobilise popular support for their own policies. 37 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25  The following is an example of a question asked in Parliament. Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No: 48 Answered On: 15.12.2017 Converge of Schemes for Children Manoj Rajoria Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to converge various schemes and policies for children in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; and; (c) if not, the reasons therefor? Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development (Dr. Virendra Kumar) (a) to (c) The Ministry has developed the National Plan of Action for Children 2016 which largely draws upon the existing programmes and schemes of various Ministries/Departments. It provides a framework for convergence and co-ordination between Ministries/Departments and State/UTs Governments and encourages collective action from all stakeholders to address multi-dimensional vulnerabilities experienced by children. The National Plan of Action for Children 2016 categorizes children's rights under four key priority areas; (i) Survival, Health and Nutrition, (ii) Education and Development, (iii) Protection and (iv) Participation. It identifies key programmes, schemes and policies as well as stakeholders for the implementation of different strategies. Source: http://loksabha.nic.in The government gets valuable feedback and is kept on its toes by the questions asked by the MPs. In addition, in all In the above question, what matters dealing with finances, the Parliament’s approval is information is being sought from the Minister of Women crucial for the government. This is one of the several ways and Child Development? in which the Parliament controls, guides and informs the government. The MPs as representatives of the people have If you were a Member of Parliament (MP), list two a central role in controlling, guiding and informing questions that you would like Parliament and this is a key aspect of the functioning of to ask. Indian democracy. Social and Political Life 38 2024-25 How Do New Laws Come About? The word ‘arbitrary’ has been used earlier in this book and you’ve read The Parliament has an important role in making laws. what the word means in the Glossary There are many ways through which this takes place of Chapter 1. The word ‘sedition’ has and it is often different groups in society that raise the been included in the Glossary of this chapter. Read the Glossary need for a particular law. An important role of descriptions of both words and then Parliament is to be sensitive to the problems faced by answer the following questions: people. Let us read the following story to understand State one reason why you think the how issue of domestic violence was brought to the Sedition Act of 1870 was arbitrary? In attention of Parliament and the process adopted for what ways does the Sedition Act of this issue to become law. 1870 contradict the rule of law? Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) www.in.undp.org Domestic violence generally refers to the injury or harm or threat of injury or harm caused by an adult male, usually the husband, against his wife. Injury may be caused by physically beating up the woman or by emotionally abusing her. Abuse of the woman can also include verbal, sexual and economic abuse. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 extends the understanding of the term ‘domestic’ to include all women who ‘live or have lived together in a shared household’ with the male member who is perpetrating the violence. 39 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25  October 2006 Not just women. Violence-free homes will benefit everyone. Kusum, it’s taken Shazia, did you read today’s such a long time to get this law passed. newspapers? Isn’t it a great In fact, it began with establishing the day for women? need for a new law. Kusum and Shazia work for a women's organisation. They remember the journey of how the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act got passed. April 1991: A typical day at their office... I do not want to go to Unfortunately I need advice. My husband beats me the police. I just want the existing law up. I haven’t told anyone so far. I feel to stop the violence. is a criminal one I am being so ashamed. I can’t go on like this I just don’t want to and does not offer ill-treated by my anymore. But I have nowhere to go. these options. son and daughter- be thrown out of the in-law. They house I am living in. verbally abuse me. I have no access to my bank accounts. They may even throw me out. Throughout the 1990s, the need for a new law was In 1999, Lawyers Collective, a group of lawyers, law students and raised in different forums. activists, after nation-wide consultations took the lead in drafting the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill. This draft bill was widely circulated. We’ve heard testimonies of several women. We’ve seen that women want protection against being beaten, the right to continue The definition of The law should cover any women living in a shared household and often domestic violence living within a shared domestic space. temporary relief. We need a new civil law to should include They should be protected from being address this issue. physical, economic, evicted from the shared household. sexual and verbal and emotional abuse. What about some monetary relief? Social and Political Life 40 2024-25  Meetings were held with different organisations. The women’s movement want a new law on Domestic Violence. Finally, the Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2002 but … The Government should introduce it in parliament soon. Let’s have a press We must oppose conference … we This Bill has the Bill in its could also start an none of what present form. on-line petition. we have been suggesting. Several women’s organisations, National Commission for Women made submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. In December 2002, the Standing Esteemed members of the Parliamentary Committee submitted its Standing Committee... the present Bill must be changed. We do not agree with the definition recommendations to the Rajya Sabha and of domestic violence being proposed … these were also tabled in the Lok Sabha. The Committee’s report accepted most of The law needs to provide the demands of the women’s groups. for temporary custody of Finally a new bill, was reintroduced in children … Parliament in 2005. After being passed in both houses of Parliament, it was sent to the President for his assent. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act came into effect in 2006. At a press conference in This law is a first in recognising a This is a civil law aimed at woman’s right to a violence-free October 2006 providing relief to millions of home and provides a comprehensive definition of domestic violence. women, including wives, mothers, daughters and sisters affected by violence What is this new law? in their homes. The press conference continues... 41 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25  This law is a very significant step because it recognises... The right of women to live in a shared household... women can get a Yes, now the government protection order against any further has to ensure that this violence... Women can get monetary relief to Now begins another law is implemented and meet their expenses including medical costs. long journey … enforced. Why is this an important law? What do you understand by ‘domestic violence’? List the two rights that the new law helped achieve for women who are survivors of violence. Can you list one process that was used to make more people aware of the need for this law? From the above storyboard, can you list two different ways in which people lobbied Parliament? Often women who face violence or are abused are seen as victims. But women struggle in several different ways to survive these situations. Therefore, it is more accurate to refer to In the following poster, what them as survivors rather do you understand by the than as victims. phrase ‘Equal Relationships are Violence Free’? Social and Political Life 42 2024-25 As the above example shows, the role of citizens is crucial in helping Parliament frame different concerns that people might have into laws. From establishing the need for a new law to its being passed, at every stage of the process the voice of the citizen is a crucial element. This voice can be heard through TV reports, newspaper editorials, radio broadcasts, local meetings - all of which help in making the work that Parliament does more accessible and transparent to the people. As you have read in your Unpopular and Controversial Laws previous class and will read in your history textbooks Let us now look at the situation where the Parliament passes this year on the rule of law, laws that turn out to be very unpopular. Sometimes a law can Indian nationalists be constitutionally valid and hence legal, but it can continue to protested and criticised arbitrary and repressive be unpopular and unacceptable to people because they feel laws being enforced by the that the intention behind it is unfair and harmful. Hence, people British. History provides us might criticise this law, hold public meetings, write about it in with several examples of newspapers, report to TV news channels etc. In a democracy people and communities like ours, citizens can express their unwillingness to accept who have struggled to end repressive laws framed by the Parliament. When a large number unjust laws. In your Class VII book, you read of how of people begin to feel that a wrong law has been passed, then Rosa Parks, an African- there is pressure on the Parliament to change this. American woman, refused to give up her seat on a For example, various municipal laws on the use of space within bus to a white man on 1 municipal limits often make hawking and street vending illegal. December 1955. She was No one will dispute the necessity for some rules to keep the protesting the law on public space open so that people can walk on the pavements segregation that divided up all public spaces, including easily. However, one also cannot deny that hawkers and the streets, between the vendors provide essential services cheaply and efficiently to whites and the African- the millions living in a large city. This is their means of Americans. Her refusal was livelihood. Hence, if the law favours one group and disregards a key event that marked the other it will be controversial and lead to conflict. People the start of the Civil Rights who think that the law is not fair can approach the court to Movement, which led to the Civil Rights Act in decide on the issue. The court has the power to modify or 1964, which prohibited cancel laws if it finds that they don’t adhere to the Constitution. discrimination on the basis of race, religion or national Do you remember the photo essay on the women’s movement origin in the U.S.A. in the Class VII book? The photos there showed the different The above photo shows ways in which citizens can protest, campaign and show solidarity. Rosa Parks seated in a bus. The pictures given on the next page point to another way in which people protest unjust laws. 43 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25 Read the newspapers/watch news on TV for a week and find out if there are any unpopular laws that people in India or around the world are currently protesting. We need to remember that our role as citizens does not end with electing our representatives. Rather, it is then that we begin to use newspapers and the media to carefully chart the work that is being done by our MPs and criticise their actions when we feel it is required. Thus, what we should bear in mind is that it is the extent, involvement and enthusiasm of the List the three forms of protest people that helps Parliament perform its representative that you see in the above functions properly. photos. GLOSSARY Approval: To give one’s consent to and be favourable towards something. In the context of this chapter, it refers both to the formal consent (through elected representatives) that Parliament has as well as the fact that it needs to continue to enjoy the people’s trust. Coalition: A temporary alliance of groups or parties. In this chapter, it refers to the alliance formed by political parties after elections when no party has been able to get adequate seats to form a clear majority. Criticise: To find fault with or disapprove of a person or thing. In the context of this chapter, it refers to citizens finding fault with the functioning of government. Evolution: Process of development from a simple to a complex form and is often used to discuss the development of a species of plants or animals. In the context of this chapter it refers to the way in which protecting women against domestic violence developed from an urgently-felt need to a new law that can be enforced throughout the country. Social and Political Life 44 2024-25 Sedition: This applies to anything that the government might consider as stirring up resistance or rebellion against it. In such cases, the government does not need absolute evidence in order to arrest persons. Under the Sedition Act of 1870, the British had a very broad interpretation of what constituted sedition, and what this meant was that they could arrest and detain any person they wanted under this Act. The nationalists considered this law arbitrary because persons were arrested for a variety of reasons that were seldom clarified beforehand as well as because those arrested were often kept in jail without a trial. Repressive: To control severely in order to prevent free and natural development or expression. In the context of this chapter it refers to laws that brutally control persons and often prevent them from exercising their Fundamental Rights including Right to Speech and Assembly. Unresolved: Situations in which there are no easy solutions to problems. Exercises 1. Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote? 2. 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? 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 Source: www.eci.gov.in the various representatives from your area: State Government Central Government 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)? 4. 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. 45 Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws 2024-25  Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources In a small village in Tanzania, Africa, Mamba gets up very early in the morning to fetch water. She has to walk a long way and returns after a few hours. She then helps Let’s do her mother in the house and joins her brothers in taking Observe the land, care of their goats. All her family owns is a piece of rocky type of soil and land around