D.A.V.

PUBLIC SCHOOL, NERUL

CLASS : VII
SUBJECT : SOCIAL STUDIES
NAME : _________________________ DATE : ____________
DIV : _____________ R.NO: __________
TOPIC:- Democracy and Equality

Introduction:

India is a democracy. In Class VI , we studied about the key elements of a

democratic government. These include people’s participation, the resolution of
conflict, and equality and justice. Equality is a key feature of democracy and
influences all aspects of its functioning.
In Class-VII, we are going to study more about equality – what it is, why it is
important in a democracy, and whether or not everyone is equal in India.
On 15 August 1947 India became an independent country and ended the foreign
domination of nearly 200 years. There was an urgent need to frame our own
constitution (a document that lays down the framework, political structures and the
powers and duties of the government) to strengthen our newly won freedom.

Hence, a Constitution was framed for free India. The Preamble, is an introduction
to the Indian Constitution.

Explanation:

The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. It guarantees

equality to all citizens and thus, establishes a rule of non-discrimination by the
State in every sphere. Our Constitution ensures that the State treats all the citizens
equally and allows equality of status and opportunity to all. It prohibits
discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, colour, caste, race or place of birth,

etc.

A Constitution is a set of regulations that a set of people have made and agreed
upon. It is often a written document. It lays down powers and functions of the
government.

Centuries of subjugation, casteism, poverty and illiteracy had weakened the Indian
society. Our Constitution framers wanted to eradicate the discrimination that had
divided the Indian society on the lines of religion, caste and economic status by
ensuring the upliftment of all, especially of those who had been exploited. Hence,
India has opted for secularism, where everyone is free to follow the religion of
one’s choice and the State does not have a religion of its own.

Our Constitution has granted Universal Adult Franchise, i.e. Right to Vote to
everyone, who is above 18 years, without any discrimination of caste, colour,
religion, region or language.

The people of India cast their votes and elect their representatives for a fixed
period. These representatives run the government according to the wishes of the
people. If the elected representatives do not do so, people do not vote for them in
the next election.

People also keep a close watch on the activities of their representatives to guard
their rights, as granted by the Constitution.

In Indian Multi-Party System, the party or a combination of parties that gets the
majority, forms the government. The elected leader of the party or a person, whom
the combination of parties supports, becomes the Prime Minister. A party or
combination of parties, that fails to get majority of seats in the election, performs
the role of ‘opposition’. It keeps a check on the activities of the ruling party and
protects the rights of the people.
Before independence, some sections of our society suffered from economic and
social backwardness. The Constitution of free India made special provisions for
them so that everyone can live a life of dignity and enjoy equality. It has entrusted
the government with the responsibility of providing social, economic and political
equality to all as a necessary condition for the successful working of Indian
democracy.

As you know the Preamble grants us the equality of status and opportunity. Our
Constitution also gives

us the Right to Equality. The main provisions of this right are :-

(a) All citizens are equal before the law.

(b) Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or place of birth is

prohibited.

(c) Everyone is entitled to equal opportunities in all walks of life.

(d) The law gives equal protection to all.

Discrimination on the basis of caste continues to exist, in spite of education and

awareness, especially in rural areas. Another threat to equality is posed by
discrimination on the basis of community. Some religious places ban the entry of
people belonging to other communities and castes. Certain communities look down
upon others and do not give them jobs or houses on rent.

The Government of India has implemented the provisions of the Constitution given
under the Right to Equality in two ways

(a) Many laws have been made to protect the Right to Equality. For example, equal
opportunities in education and jobs.

(b) Government has launched many programmes and schemes for those
communities that need assistance. For example, SCs/STs and OBCs.
After independence, there was an urgent need for the government to do something
special and concrete to liberate the weaker sections from oppression and
backwardness. The forced isolation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,
imposed by the caste system, had to end. Thus, reservation was provided for them
to ensure their proportionate share in all walks of life so that they could live a life
of respect and dignity. Later on, along with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes, and Other Backward Classes were also provided the benefits of reservation.

Our government has adopted various measures like loans, self-employment

schemes, low budget housing on instalments, free legal advice, widow pension,
etc., to provide education, employment and housing to all. Literacy programmes,
like Operation Black Board, Universal Elementary Education and Adult Education,
have gained popularity. Along with mid-day meals, the schools are providing free

uniforms and books, stipends, scholarships, medical check ups, etc. Girl students
and children from weaker sections have a reserved quota, not only in government

schools but also in private schools. Special steps have been taken for tribal and
rural children to include them in developmental programmes. We must make sure
that Indian democracy goes in the right direction and provides equality to all,
where all citizens are aware, enlightened and educated. Let us all make India a
successful democracy!

Pl refer the following links for the lesson:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnYVvPn3bAc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jgWxkbR7A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iurhMy1I7EU
Activity

Prepare a chart on the regional parties in your state. Also draw the symbols of
each party against their names.

Prepare a powerpoint presentation on steps taken by the government to

improve educational standard in India.
Exercises

I. Keywords
1. Community - people living together sharing common interests.
2. Democracy - a kind of system where people have supreme power. They rule
through their representatives.
3. Opposition - all parties other than the party/parties in power.
4. Representative - a person elected/chosen to act or speak on behalf of the
people for a fixed period.
5. Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribes – disadvantaged groups enlisted in
Article 341 of the Indian Constitution.
6. Fraternity - feeling of brotherhood
7. Liberty - freedom to live as one chooses without too many restrictions from
government or authority
8. Secular -freedom to follow any religion
9. Sovereign - right to make decisions on external as well as internal maters.
No external power can dictate the government of India.

II. Tick ( ) the correct option.

1. The Right to Vote is guaranteed to Indians who are

(a) highly educated (b) highly rich
(c) the Scheduled Castes (d) citizens of India
2. The most successful scheme of the government which increased enrolment of
children in schools is
(a) Education for all (b) Reservation of seats in schools
(c) Mid-day meal scheme (d) Scholarships and financial help to poor
children
 3. Which one of the following is NOT responsible for weakening the Indian
society?
(a) casteism (b) education
(c) illiteracy (d) poverty

4. According to the Preamble, who is constituting India into a socialist, secular

and democratic republic?
(a) The people of India (b) All our national leaders
(c) The Constitution itself (d) Representatives of the people

5. To ensure that all the children from the deprived sections are able to fulfil
their dreams, the Government of India should not
(a) give them free food and clothing.
(b) give them monthly stipend/monetary help.
(c) provide free education.
(d) leave them to fight for themselves and become self-dependent.

Ans : 1(d), 2(c), 3(b), 4(c), 5 (a)

III. Fill in the blanks.

1. The _________________ is a document that lays down the framework,

political structures and the powers and duties of the government.
2. The _________________ is an introduction to our Constitution.
3. The _________________ system creates a social division in a nation.
4. Each _________________ is an organised group, having its own policies and
programmes.
5. Many _________________ have been made to protect the Right to Equality.
Ans: - 1. Constitution 2. Preamble 3. Caste 4. Political party
5. laws
IV. State True or False for the following statements.
1. On 15 August 1947 India became a republic. _____________________
2. Our Constitution framers wanted to eradicate discrimination. _____________
3. People elect their representatives for a fixed term. _____________________
4. The law does not give equal protection to all. _____________________
5. The provisions of reservation have not reached everyone. _______________
Ans. 1. False 2. True 3. True 4. False 5. True

V. Answer the following questions in brief.

1. What is the main function of an opposition party?

Ans. The opposition party keeps a check on the activities of the ruling party and
protects the rights of the people.
2. Why was reservation provided for certain castes in India?
Ans. Reservation was provided for certain castes to ensure their proportionate
share in all walks of life so that they could live a life of respect and dignity.
3. What is meant by secularism?
Ans. Secularism is defined as equal treatment of all religions by the state. In a
secular state everybody is free to follow the religion of one’s own choice and the
state does not have a religion of its own.
4. Why is Universal Adult Franchise considered a courageous step of the
Constituent Assembly?
Ans. Universal Adult Franchise is considered as a courageous step of the
Constituent Assembly as most Indians were illiterate and poor when the
constitution was framed.
5. Name any two literacy programmes started by the Government of India.
Ans. a) Operation Black board and
b) Elementary Education
E. Answer the following questions.

1. Mention the main provisions of the Right to Equality.

Ans. The main provisions of the Right to Equality are:-
a) All citizens are equal before the law.
b) Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or place of birth is
prohibited.
c) Everyone is entitled to equal opportunities in all walks of life.
d) The law gives equal protection to all.

2. How can the people keep a check on their representatives?

Ans. The people elect their representatives for a fixed period. These
representatives are expected to run the government according to the wishes of the
people. The people can keep a check on their representatives in the following
ways:-
a) If their representatives do not fulfill their wishes the people will not vote for
them in the next election.
b) They also keep a close watch on the activities of their representatives to guard
their rights as granted by the constitution.

3. List the important steps taken by the Indian government for the benefit of the
weaker sections of society.
a) Reservation has been provided to the weaker section to ensure their
proportionate share in all walks of life so that they could live a life of respect and
dignity.

b) Our government has adopted various measures to provide education,

employment and housing , loans, self-employment schemes, low budget housing
on installments, free legal advice, widow-pension etc.

c) Nutritious mid-day meal is being provided to the children belonging to the

weaker sections in order to increase their enrolment in schools.

d) Girl students and children from weaker sections have a reserved quota, not only
in government schools but also in private schools.
4. List the factors that create inequalities and hamper the success of the democracy.
Ans. a) Although the people of the India have been granted the right to vote, most
of them do not enjoy the equality of working conditions. Hence, they are unable to
fulfill their basic necessities.
b) The caste system still prevails in our society, especially in rural areas. Although
our constitution has prohibited discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex or
place of birth, sadly discrimination on the basis of caste continues to exist, in spite
of education and awareness.
c) Some religious places ban entry of people to other communities and castes.
d) Certain communities look down upon other and do not give them jobs or houses
on rent.
Until these evils are eliminated from our society, the success of democracy will
always remain on stake.

5. Why have the benefits of reservation not reached everyone? Suggest two steps
that can ensure development of all sections of the Indian society.
Ans. The benefits of reservation have not reached everyone because there is lack of
awareness among the people living in the remote areas of the country. The two
steps that can ensure development of all sections of the Indian Society are :-
a) Education :- It is the root of all progress. Hence, it should be spread far
and wide. It will bring enlightenment among people. It will bring peace and
prosperity.
b) Employment : - It will alone eliminate poverty. Needless to say that
poverty is a curse. It should be removed from our society. Everyone should
be educated enough to get a good employment to live with his / her life with
dignity.
 D.A.V. PUBLIC SCHOOL, NERUL
CLASS : VII
SUBJECT : SOCIAL STUDIES
Worksheet
NAME : _________________________ DATE : ____________
DIV : _____________ R.NO: __________

TOPIC:- Democracy and Equality

Answer in brief

1. What is a constitution?

2. What do you mean by preamble?

3. Name the evils which had weakened the Indian society before Independence.

4. Who is an independent candidate in elections?

5. What is known as a coalition government?

6. What do you mean by opposition parties?

7. What do you mean by ‘One Man One Vote’?

8. What are the threats to equality?