Cartoons 11

Question:
Does this always happen in any constitution making?

Answer:
No, this does not happen in all Constitution making if the representatives in Constituent
Assembly are elected either directly or indirectly from all sections of society, the attempt of
framing Constitution would be successful.
Questions:
(i) Can you identify what these different groups stand for?
(ii) Who do you think prevailed in this balancing act?
Answers:
(i) The cartoon refers to different religions, cultures, castes and regions having different
preferences, i.e. liberal nationalists and radical nationalists.
(ii) Both the songs ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ were accepted as national
heritage. The first is our national anthem and the second is our national song. All the
Indians show respect and sing both the songs. Despite so many diversities of
languages customs, cultures, festivals the whole country has the same respect for
national song and the tricolour. They balance the diversity of India
Questions:
(i) Why does the cartoonist describe the new Iraqi Constitution as the castle of cards?
(ii) Would this description apply to the Indian Constitution?
Answers:
(i) Because it is being prepared by pro-US. The people as well as the Constituent
Assembly of Iraq is not representing the all ethnic groups of the country. Hence, the
Constitution is imposed and will be scattered as a castle of cards.
(ii) This description does not apply to Indian Constitution because:
 Indian Constitution is not imposed on Indians, but it was framed from among
different shades of opinion after a long discussions and debates.
 It was adopted by people willfully.
 It is a living document to be amended from time to time at par aspirations of
people.
Questions:
(i)What do these different people stand for?
(ii) Compare the conflict depicted here with that depicted in earlier cartoons for the
European Union and India.
Answers:
(i) The cartoon refers to three different ethnic groups in Iraq, i.e. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurdis.
The above groups stand for their own philosophies, ideologies and interests.
(ii) The Iraqi people expect to frame a new Constitution and to be accepted by all ethnic
groups of Iraq. In the European Union the attempt of the people failed but in India, the
same attempt got success.
Q 1. They say elections are carnival of democracy. But this cartoon depicts chaos
instead. Is this true of elections always?
2. Is it good for democracy?
Answers:
1. No, this is not true of elections always. Generally, maximum elections are conducted
peacefully in a democratic way.
2. It is not good for democracy to conduct elections in chaotic lawlessness. This is

harmful to destroy democracy only because most of the people will not go to the polling
booth themselves
Questions:
1. These members of the ruling party are trying to listen to the ‘tiny’ opposition! Was this
the effect of our electoral system?
2. What does the cartoon represent?
Answers:
1. Yes, in the beginning, there was only one political party that dominated in the Lok
Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. The opposition was not so popular to play any role, they
were only the nominated representatives in both the houses of parliament.
2. The cartoon represents the role played by opposition party and the ruling party is
making efforts to hear its voice.
Questions:
1. Why is the Universal Adult Franchise compared to an elephant?
2. Is it unmanageable?
3. Or is it like the story in which everyone describes the elephant only by its parts?
Answers:
1. An elephant is of a giant size and in such a manner, all adult of a country (above 18
years) prepare a very big electoral vote.
2. Yes, it is quiet difficult to manage such a big group, but it is not unmanageable as
since 1952, our election commission has been managing it successfully till date.
3. Yes, in India, such a huge group of adult voters in different areas, belonging to
different castes are described by every political party in different groups or sections or
interests. Except elections of Lok Sabha, different elections are conducted by Election
Commission in different phases also.
1. The Netaji is afraid of EC. Why do leaders fear the Election Commission?
2. Is this good for democracy?
Answers
1. The leaders fear the Election commission because they want to win the election by
hook or crook but election commission keeps check on them not to try money or muscle
power to win by issuing a code of conduct on them.
2. Yes, this is good for democracy to ensure free and fair elections as Election
Commission enjoys several rights, powers and functions being an autonomous body of
country.
Questions:
1. What does the cartoon represent?
2. Should a person accused of a serious crime be barred from contesting an elections?
Answers:
1. The cartoon shows the image of a criminal turned politician facing public.
2. A person accused of a serious crime should be barred from contesting elections

because:
 He or she can threaten the voters and candidates, contesting elections.

 He or she can use money or muscle power.
 The group that believes in bullet and not in ballot.
The first graph depicts the number of constitution amendments made every ten
years; the bar indicates the number of amendments in that period. The second
graph depicts the time taken for
every ten amendments; the bar depicts the years taken for ten amendments. The
two decades from 1970 to 1990 saw a large number of amendments.
On the other hand, the second graph tells one more story: ten amendments took
place between a short span of three years between 1974 and 1976. And again, in
just three years, from 2001 to 2003, ten amendments took place. In the political
history of our country, these two periods are remarkably different. The first was a
period of Congress domination. Congress party had a vast majority in the
Parliament ( it had 352 seats in the Lok Sabha and a majority in most State
Assemblies). On the other hand, the period between 2001 and 2003 was a period
marked by coalition politics. It was also a period when different parties were in
power in different States. The bitter rivalry between the BJP and its opponents is
another feature of this period. And yet, this period saw as many as ten amendments
in just three years.
In particular, the 38th, 39th and 42ndamendments have been the most controversial
amendments so far. These three amendments were made in the background of
internal emergency declared in the country from June 1975. They sought to make
basic changes in many crucial parts of the Constitution.
The 42nd amendment was particularly seen as a wideranging amendment affecting
large parts of the Constitution. It was also an attempt to override the ruling of the
Supreme Court given in the Kesavananda case. Even the duration of the Lok Sabha
was extended from five to six years. Fundamental Duties were included in the
Constitution by this amendment act. The 42nd amendment also put restrictions on
the review powers of the Judiciary

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Question:

Does this always happen in any constitution making?

(ii) This description does not apply to Indian Constitution because:

2. It is not good for democracy to conduct elections in chaotic lawlessness. This is

2. A person accused of a serious crime should be barred from contesting elections

 He or she can threaten the voters and candidates, contesting elections.

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