Answer The Following Question.
1. Write in your own words what you understand by the term the ‘rule of law’. In your response, include a fictitious or real example of a violation of the rule of law.
Ans : The rule of law means that every individual in a country is subject to the same laws, regardless of their position, power, or wealth. It ensures equality before the law and holds everyone accountable for their actions. For example, if a government official engages in corruption but is not punished, while a common citizen is penalized for the same offense, it would be a violation of the rule of law. This principle ensures that no one is above the law, not even the highest authorities.
2. State two reasons why historians refute the claim that the British introduced the rule of law in India.
Ans : Historians refute the claim that the British introduced the rule of law in India for the following reasons:
The colonial legal system was arbitrary, as laws were often applied selectively to benefit the British and suppress Indians.
Indian nationalists significantly contributed to shaping the legal framework during British rule by advocating for equality, fairness, and justice, which the colonial system lacked.
3. 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.
Ans : The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, was enacted to safeguard women from physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Women’s groups played a critical role in its passage by highlighting numerous cases of domestic violence and raising awareness about the issue. A collaborative effort by lawyers, activists, and law students led to the drafting of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection Bill). Women’s organizations, including the National Commission for Women, presented their concerns and recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. These collective efforts compelled the government to pass the law, ensuring better protection for women.
4. Write in your own words what you understand by the following sentence on pages 44-45: They also began fighting for greater equality and wanted to change the idea of law from a set of rules that they were forced to obey to the law, including ideas of justice.
Ans : Before independence, Indians were subjected to laws imposed by the British that were often unjust and discriminatory. These rules were created to benefit the colonial rulers rather than the people. During the freedom struggle, Indian nationalists began advocating for laws that upheld fairness, equality, and justice for all. They sought to replace the arbitrary colonial laws with a system that respected the rights and dignity of every individual, ensuring that laws were no longer tools of oppression but instruments of justice and equality.