question_answer

Study the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The linguistic states underlined the acceptance of the principle of diversity. When we say that India adopted democracy, it does not simply mean that India adopted the format of elections. The choice was larger than that. It was a choice in favour of recognising and accepting the existence of differences which could at times be oppositional. Democracy, in other words, was associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life.

(i) Identify any two forms of diversity in the cultural life of people in India.

(ii) Give any two examples to show that democracy in India is associated with plurality of ideas and acceptance of differences.

(iii) Assess the role of elections on strengthening democracy.

Answer:

(1) India is divided into many states and most of them have diversity in their cultural life.

(a) There is no common language spoken throughout the country. Thus, also there are linguistic differences in states.

(b) There are cultural differences which covers the religious practices, performing pooja in temples or prayers in churches.

(2) Democracy in India is associated with plurality of ideas and acceptance of differences. In support of tins we can say:

(a) When we say, India embraced a democratic constitution not does it merely mean that India adopted the format of election. The choice was larger than that. It was a choice in favour of recognising and accepting the existence of differences which could at times be opposite to each other. Demoracy in other words was associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life.

(b) India is a country of different religious and ideologies and despite differences people have freedom to express their views and equal representation in decision making bodies. They are free to accept any religion.

(3) In democracy, people elect their candidates and these candidates form government. Government is indirectly run by people and any citizen can take part in election and every citizen above the age of 18 is entitled to give his/her vote of elect their representative. Thus, we can say that election play a major role in democracy.