Citizenship
NCERT Solutions • Class 11 Political Theory • Chapter 6Rights and Obligations
1. What rights could citizens expect in most democratic states? What kind of obligations do they have?
Rights Citizens Can Expect:
Obligations (Duties) of Citizens:
- Political Rights: Right to vote, right to contest elections, right to form political parties.
- Civil Rights: Freedom of speech, belief, and expression; equality before the law.
- Socio-Economic Rights: Right to a minimum wage, right to education, right to work.
Obligations (Duties) of Citizens:
- To the State: Paying taxes honestly, defending the country, respecting the Constitution and laws.
- To Fellow Citizens: Respecting the rights of others (e.g., not using hate speech), protecting public property, and promoting harmony in society.
2. All citizens may be granted equal rights but all may not be able to equally exercise them. Explain.
This statement highlights the difference between Formal Equality (legal status) and Substantive Equality (actual practice).
Explanation:
Explanation:
- Economic Barriers: A poor citizen has the “Right to Justice,” but they may not afford a lawyer to fight their case in court.
- Social Barriers: A Dalit or Tribal citizen has the “Right to Equality,” but they may face discrimination in accessing public wells or housing.
- Educational Barriers: An illiterate citizen has the “Right to Information,” but they cannot read government notifications or file an RTI application.
Contemporary Issues
3. Write a short note on any two struggles for full enjoyment of citizen rights in India. Which rights were claimed?
1. Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA):
This was a movement by tribals, farmers, and environmentalists against the displacement caused by the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Rights Claimed: Right to Livelihood, Right to Shelter, and the right of indigenous people to their land (resources). They argued that development for the nation cannot come at the cost of the basic rights of the poor.
2. The Struggle for Street Vendors’ Rights:
Street vendors were often harassed by police and municipalities for occupying public space. They organized unions and fought for legal recognition.
Rights Claimed: Right to Livelihood (Article 21) and Right to carry on any trade or profession (Article 19). This led to the passing of the Street Vendors Act, 2014, recognizing their contribution to the economy.
This was a movement by tribals, farmers, and environmentalists against the displacement caused by the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Rights Claimed: Right to Livelihood, Right to Shelter, and the right of indigenous people to their land (resources). They argued that development for the nation cannot come at the cost of the basic rights of the poor.
2. The Struggle for Street Vendors’ Rights:
Street vendors were often harassed by police and municipalities for occupying public space. They organized unions and fought for legal recognition.
Rights Claimed: Right to Livelihood (Article 21) and Right to carry on any trade or profession (Article 19). This led to the passing of the Street Vendors Act, 2014, recognizing their contribution to the economy.
6. “Democratic citizenship is a project rather than an accomplished fact.” Discuss issues regarding citizenship in India today.
Citizenship is not a static status; it evolves. In India, even though we have legal equality, the “project” of creating truly equal citizens is ongoing.
Current Issues:
Current Issues:
- The Insider-Outsider Debate: In many states (like Assam or Mumbai), “locals” often demand priority over “migrants” in jobs and resources, challenging the idea of a single Indian citizenship.
- Refugees and Illegal Immigrants: The debate over CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC reflects the tension between humanitarian duties and national security/identity.
- Tribal Rights: Development projects often displace tribals, turning them into “refugees” in their own land, questioning whether they enjoy the same citizenship rights as urban dwellers.
Migration & Global Citizenship
4. What are problems faced by refugees? How could global citizenship benefit them?
Problems faced by refugees:
The concept of “Global Citizenship” suggests that human rights are universal and not tied to national borders. If accepted:
- Statelessness: They lose membership of their own state and are not accepted by the new state, leaving them with no rights.
- Lack of Protection: Without a government to protect them, they are vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, and poverty.
The concept of “Global Citizenship” suggests that human rights are universal and not tied to national borders. If accepted:
- Refugees would be treated as “citizens of the world” deserving of protection and dignity regardless of their passport.
- International bodies (like the UN) would have a stronger mandate to provide them with resources and shelter, bypassing the rigid “national interest” of individual countries.
5. Migration is often resisted. What contributions could migrants make to the local economy?
Despite resistance (“Sons of the Soil” movements), migrants are essential for the economy:
- Filling Labor Shortages: Migrants often take up “3D jobs” (Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult) that locals refuse to do (e.g., construction, sanitation).
- Skill Gaps: Highly skilled migrants (doctors, IT professionals) bring expertise that might be lacking in the local population.
- Economic Growth: They pay taxes, consume local goods (rent, food), and keep the cost of services (plumbing, cleaning) affordable for the local middle class.
- Cultural Diversity: They enrich the local culture with new food, art, and perspectives.