Key Elements of a Democratic Government

Q19. What steps government has taken to promote justice among girls?

Ans. The government promotes justice among girls by providing special provisions such as waiving or lowering fees for girls in government schools or colleges.

Q20. How would Maya's life be different in South Africa today?

Ans. Today, South Africa is a democratic country in which people of all races are considered equal. There is no more discrimination on the basis of skin colour. So, in today’s South Africa Maya enjoy equal status in the society.

Q21. What were the thoughts of Dr Ambedkar and other like him about the practice of untouchability?

Ans. Dr Ambedkar, and many others like him, realised that such practices must not continue and that justice can only be achieved when people are treated equally.

Q22. In Dr Ambedkar's story did the practice of untouchability support the idea that people are equal?

Ans. No, practice of untouchability did not support the idea that people are equal because these groups of people were denied education, transport or medical facilities and even the chance to offer prayers.

Q23. How do people express their views and make governments understand what actions they should take?

Ans. There are many ways in which people express their views and make governments understand what actions they should take. These include dharnas, rallies, strikes, signature campaigns etc.

Q24. Why conflicts occur?

Ans. Conflicts occur when people of different cultures, religions, regions or economic backgrounds do not get along with each other, or when some among them feel they are being discriminated against.

Q25. What is the responsibility of police when there is fear that violence may erupt?

Ans. At times there is fear that violence may erupt, with people throwing stones or trying to disrupt the procession. The police is responsible for ensuring that violence does not take place.

Q26. Do you think it is important for all persons to be treated equally? Why?

Ans. Yes, it is important for all persons to be treated equally. Everybody has human rights and should be treated equally and with dignity. If anybody is tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way, it will create an atmosphere of revolt.

Q27. What were Hector and his classmates protesting about?

Ans. Hector and his classmates joined the protest against learning the Afrikaans language in school. This was the language that the whites spoke. Hector and other school students were being forced to learn this language but they wanted to learn their own language, Zulu.

Q28. Do you think the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided? How?

Ans. The South African police beat up the protestors mercilessly and shot at the crowd. One of their bullets killed Hector. Yes, the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided by talking with them in a peaceful manner or putting them in jail.

Q29. How do you think lowering the school fees would help girls attend school?

Ans. To some extent lowering the school fees would encourage those parents who find it difficult to spend money on girl’s education to think seriously about girl’s career. Thus, lowering the school fees would help girls attend school.

Q30. Look at some newspapers and discuss some elections that you may have read about. Why do you think elections are required after a fixed period?

Ans. All governments are elected for fixed periods. In India this period is five years. Once elected, governments can stay in power only for that period. If they want to continue to be in power then they have to be re-elected by the people. In this way the power of the government gets limited by regular elections.