Introduction to NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 – Democratic Rights

In a democratic government, all the citizens must have their democratic rights. Citizens’ democratic rights set limits in a democracy. Elected representatives must not cross these limits. NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5 discusses the citizen’s rights and why we need them. Students may refer to the study material provided by Extramarks to understand Democratic Rights. 

Key Topics Covered Under NCERT Solutions For Class 9 Civics Chapter 5

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 on the Extramarks website provides a broader view for students on how ordinary citizens can use rights and how the rights of the citizens are expanding.

The key points covered in the chapter ‘Democratic Rights’ are stated below.

  • Life without rights
  • Rights in a democracy
  • Rights in the Indian Constitution
  • Expanding the scope of rights

A brief of the key topics covered under NCERT Solutions for the Class 9 Civics chapter is as under. 

Life Without Rights

This topic helps students understand the importance of fundamental rights for every citizen. Let’s look at the example to understand the concept better.

Prison in Guantanamo Bay

  • The US forces picked 600 people secretly from all over the world and put them in prison in Guantanamo Bay. Jameel El-Banna was among them.
  • The American government considered them enemies of the US and linked them to the 9/11 attack in 2001 in New York.
  • They were arrested and interrogated without any trial.
  • An international human rights organisation Amnesty International collected information on the prisoners.
  • The US army tortured the prisoners in ways that violated US laws.
  • Prisoners went on hunger strike in protest. They were not released after being declared not guilty.
  • Despite the statement given by the UN Secretary-General about closing down Guantanamo Bay, the US government refused to accept these pleas.

Another example, as discussed in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5, is Citizens’ rights in Saudi Arabia. Let us go through the facts of Saudi Arabia and the position of the citizens in the government.

  • A Hereditary King rules the country, and people do not elect their rulers.
  • The King can select the legislature, the executive and the judiciary and even change their decisions.
  • Citizens are not allowed to form political organisations. If the monarch does not like anything, the media cannot report it.
  • In Saudi Arabia, every citizen is obliged to be a Muslim. Hence, there is no freedom of religion. 
  • Women have to submit to many restrictions. The testimony of a man is considered equal to that of two women. There are many countries in the world where such conditions exist.

Let us consider the example Ethnic massacre in Kosovo as in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5.

  • In Kosovo, the majority of the population was ethnic Albania, while in the entire country, Serbs were the majority.
  • Milosevic, a narrow-minded Serb nationalist, won the election. He wanted the Serb to dominate the Nation.
  • Many Serb leaders thought that Albanians being the minorities, should either leave or accept the dominance.
  • The army carried out massacres under the command of the Serb leaders.
  • The intervention from other countries stopped the killings.
  • Milosevic lost his power. The international court of justice tried him for crimes against humanity.

Rights in a Democracy

We can define rights as a person’s claims over the government over society and other fellow beings. These rights help each person live happily without being subjected to harsh treatment. However, it does not become a right just because we claim something. Rights obtain meaning in society when society recognises them, and the same has been described in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5. When claims recognised socially are written in the law, they acquire real force or remain as moral rights.

If Citizens’ rights are violated or not respected, they can approach courts to protect their rights. Hence, we define rights as the reasonable claims of people recognised by society and sanctioned by law.

Rights play an essential role in a democracy. In a democratic country, every person must have the right to vote, express their opinion, form political parties and participate in political activities. It protects the minorities from being oppressed by the majority. Some rights are placed even higher than the government so that the government cannot violate them.

Rights In The Indian Constitution

Our Constitution provides six fundamental rights:

  • Right to equality

The Constitution expresses that the government shall not oppose a person in India and should maintain the equal protection of the laws. It means that the laws are applicable in the same manner to all. The foundation of any democracy is the rule of law. This means that no one is above the law, neither a political leader nor a government official nor an ordinary citizen.

The government cannot discriminate against any citizen based on religion, race, caste, gender or birthplace. It was necessary to incorporate these rights into the Constitution of our country due to the harmful effects of the traditional caste system. Moreover, all citizens have equal opportunities in matters involving employment. 

The Constitution also raises one extreme form of social discrimination, which is the practice of untouchability. The government has forbidden the practice of untouchability in any form.

  • Right to freedom 

Freedom is the absence of interference in our affairs by other individuals or the government. Thus, under the Indian Constitution, all citizens have the right to

  • Freedom of expression and speech
  • Form associations and unions
  • Practice any profession
  • Peaceful assembly  
  • Reside in any part of the country
  • Move freely throughout the Nation

The Constitution can deprive no person of their freedom. Unless a person has a legal justification, they cannot be killed, arrested or detained, even by law. More details are included in the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5.

  • Right to constitutional remedies 

Citizens have the right to seek the enforcement of all fundamental rights. These rights are known as the right to constitutional remedies. This right makes other rights effective.

The power to enforce fundamental rights lies in the hands of the supreme court and the High court. If there is any violation of a fundamental right, a person can go to court. This is called public interest litigation or PIL. One can also write their violation on a postcard to the judges. Students may read more about constitutional remedies in NCERT books in addition to NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5.

  • Right against exploitation

Right against exploitation describes and prohibits several illegal deeds, including

  • Human trafficking (buying and selling of humans)
  • Forced labour, especially those forced to beg.
  • Child labour; where no one can employ a child below fourteen.

Students may refer to several study materials in addition to NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5 to read more about the right against exploitation.

  • Right to freedom of religion

India is a secular state where most people in India follow different religions, and hence the state has to be impartial to all faiths. Each person has the right to practice, propagate and profess the religion they believe in. While a person has the right to practice any religion, they do not have the right to illegal practices in the name of religion, such as animal sacrifice and treating women as inferiors, among others. 

  • Cultural and educational rights.

As mentioned in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5, the constitution issues educational rights to all citizens, especially minorities. Any government institution cannot deny education to any citizen based on religion or language. In addition, minorities have the right to establish and organise educational institutions as per their choice.

Expanding Scope of Rights

Our Constitution offers a broad range of rights and has expanded over the years. Specific rights like the right to freedom of the press, the right to information, and education are derived from fundamental rights. The Constitution also provides the right to life which includes the right to food. Some rights provided by the Constitution may not be fundamental, for example, the right to property.

These expansions take place in what is called human rights. Some of them may or may not have been recognised by law. These universal moral claims put the government under more pressure to accept them. Few international covenants have contributed to the expansion of rights.

 The South African Constitution guarantees its citizens various kinds of new rights:

  • Rights to privacy where one cannot search citizens’ homes nor tap their phones.
  • Right to a safe environment, not detrimental to their health and well being
  • Right to have access to proper housing.
  • Right to have access to health care facilities, education, food and water.

Students may refer to solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5 on Extramarks to know more about rights.

NCERT Solutions Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 Questions and  Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5,’ Democratic Rights’, is available on Extramarks. Students may refer to it by registering on the website.  

The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 Questions and  Solutions are prepared by the experienced subject matter experts. The solutions are written step by step to help students understand the concepts thoroughly. They aid the students in becoming familiar with the most important questions and answers and aid students in excelling in their exams.

To view NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 Questions and  Solutions, click on the link below.

In addition to NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5, students may also refer to various other study materials pertaining to the chapter. Extramarks also provides NCERT Solutions to other classes, which can be accessed below. 

  • NCERT Solutions Class 1
  • NCERT Solutions Class 2
  • NCERT Solutions Class 3
  • NCERT Solutions Class 4
  • NCERT Solutions Class 5
  • NCERT Solutions Class 6
  • NCERT Solutions Class 7
  • NCERT Solutions Class 8
  • NCERT Solutions Class 9
  • NCERT Solutions Class 10
  • NCERT Solutions Class 11
  • NCERT Solutions Class 12

Key Features of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 prepared at Extramarks aid students in understanding the importance of fundamental rights.

  • The chapter ‘Democratic Rights’ forms a strong foundation in professions such as IPS, IAS, law, journalism, teaching, etc.
  • NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics chapter 5 is a unique guide for students to help them gain knowledge on important concepts.
  • These solutions are compiled by some of the best minds in the industry who have several years of experience in teaching.
  • NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 cover essential topics such as the importance of democratic rights, fundamental rights, what one should do if their rights have been violated, and PIL.

NCERT Solutions provide detailed and authentic answers to all the textbook questions. Through those, the students can understand, remember and retain answers to NCERT questions and thus, perform well in exams.

Q.1 Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a fundamental right?

  1. Workers from Bihar go to the Punjab to work on the farms
  2. Christian missions set up a chain of missionary schools
  3. Men and women government employees get the same salary
  4. Parents’ property is inherited by their children

Ans.

d. Parents’ property is inherited by their children

Q.2 Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?

  1. Freedom to criticise the government
  2. Freedom to participate in armed revolution
  3. Freedom to start a movement to change the government
  4. Freedom to oppose the central values of the Constitution

Ans.

b. Freedom to participate in armed revolution

Q.3 Which of the following rights is available under the Indian Constitution?

  1. Right to work
  2. Right to adequate livelihood
  3. Right to protect one’s culture
  4. Right to privacy

Ans.

c. Right to protect one’s culture

Q.4 Name the Fundamental Right under which each of the following rights falls:

  1. Freedom to propagate one’s religion
  2. Right to life
  3. Abolition of untouchability
  4. Ban on bonded labour

Ans.

  1. Right to freedom of religion
  2. Right to freedom
  3. Right to equality
  4. Right against exploitation

Q.5 Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more valid? Give reasons for your preference.

  1. Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
  2. Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy.
  3. Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy.

Ans.

a. Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.

Reason –

Even the most properly elected rulers working through the established institutional process must learn not to cross some limits. Citizens’ democratic rights set those limits in a democracy.

Q.6 Are these restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer.

  1. Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of security.
  2. Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population.
  3. The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.

Ans.

a. Justified.

Reason – Right to Freedom is for all the citizens which grants the right to move freely anywhere in the country but some areas are restricted as the freedom of movement by every citizen can prove dangerous for the security of the country.

b. Justified.

Reason – in certain cases this is done to maintain the cultural or ethnic identity of local population.

c. Not justified.

Reason – this is the violation of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.

Q.7 Manoj went to a college to apply for admission into an MBA course. The clerk refused to take his application and said “You, the son of a sweeper, wish to be a manager! Has anyone done this job in your community? Go to the municipality office and apply for a sweeper’s position”. Which of Manoj’s fundamental rights are being violated in this instance? Spell these out in a letter from Manoj to the District Collector.

Ans. The two rights of Manoj being violated here are –

  • Right to Equality – as it guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens.
  • Right to Freedom – as it guarantees personal liberty. Any person can carry any profession or business.

To

The District Collector,

XYZ district

Respected Sir,

I would like to bring to your notice that my application for an MBA course was refused in the HGZ College on the grounds that I’m a son of a sweeper.

My right to equality and right to freedom have been violated. The right to equality guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens. Then why am I denied the opportunity to become a manager?

The right to freedom guarantees personal liberty. Any person can take up any profession or business. Then why am I told to work only as a sweeper and not become a manager?

I request you to set up an enquiry and take action against the aberrant clerk.

Thanking you,

Truly yours,

Manoj

Q.8 When Madhurima went to the property registration office, the Registrar told her, “You can’t write your name as Madhurima Banerjee d/o A. K. Banerjee. You are married, so you must give your husband’s name. Your husband’s surname is Rao. So your name should be changed to Madhurima Rao.” She did not agree. She said “If my husband’s name has not changed after marriage, why should mine?” In your opinion who is right in this dispute? And why?

Ans. Madhurima is right in this dispute. The Registrar is violating her right of freedom as she is interfering in her personal matter. She is also violating her right to equality. Our constitution does not discriminate on the grounds of caste, religion, sex, ethnicity or region of birth. But the Registrar is quoting a religious practice based on the assumption that women are inferior to men.

Q.9 Thousands of tribals and other forest dwellers gathered at Piparia in Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh to protest against their proposed displacement from the Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. They argue that such a displacement is an attack on their livelihood and beliefs. Government claims that their displacement is essential for the development of the area and for protection of wildlife. Write a petition on behalf of the forest dwellers to the NHRC, a response from the government and a report of the NHRC on this matter.

Ans. Petition to NHRC

To,

National Human Rights Commission,

Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg,

New Delhi – 110001. Ref: PQY/2020

Dear sir/ma’m,

We beg to state that we are poor forest dwellers living in and around Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary since ages. Our livelihood and culture are all connected with these forest areas.

But now the government is firm in its decision to displace us from our ancestral lands for the sake of development and protection of wildlife. This is a clear violation of our Right to Freedom which guarantees us to reside in any part of the country and practice any profession, occupation, trade or business.

This is also a violation of our cultural rights. Our constitution gives us the right to preserve our distinct culture.

Kindly intervene in this matter and stop the government from displacing us from our ancestral lands.

Truly yours,

Forest dwellers association

Government response

Ref: PQY/2020

To,

National Human Rights Commission,

Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg,

New Delhi – 110001.

Dear sir/ma’m,

It is in our notice that the forest dwellers living in and around Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary have sought your intervention in proposed displacement issue.

We would be glad to cooperate and clear all doubts regarding any alleged violations of fundamental rights. All the development in and around the area will be done keeping in view the interests and well being of the forest dwellers. Proper rehabilitation and compensation would be provided to the affected people.

The development of the area and protection of wildlife is an utmost priority of the government.

With thanks

Ministry of Environment and Forests

Government of India

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Extramarks website offers NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5,’ democratic rights’. The solutions provided are well structured, informative, and simple to understand. They make learning easy, especially during the examination.

NCERT Solutions has been a comprehensive reference for CBSE students. The information provided on the Extramarks website helps students understand basic and advanced level concepts. They aid students in grasping analytical skills and building confidence. The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Civics Chapter 5 provides a detailed structure on democratic rights, covering all the essential key points which can be referred to by CBSE students.