Question 6 - NCERT Questions - Chapter 1 Class 9 Political Science - What Is Democracy? Why Democracy - Political Science

There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the government to respond to their need. Which of these is not a democratic method? 

a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of right to life. 

b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties. 

c) Organising public meetings against government’s policies. 

d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Answer:

So, the correct answer is (d) -  Paying money to government officials to get water.

Explanation

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Statement a-  Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life:

Filing a case in the courts is a democratic method of seeking justice and holding the government accountable. Access to clean drinking water is indeed a fundamental right, and citizens have the right to approach the courts to enforce their rights and seek remedies. Therefore, this option is a democratic method.

Statement b-Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties:

Boycotting elections is a form of political protest that individuals may choose to engage in. However, it is not considered a democratic method as it undermines the essence of democracy, which is based on citizen participation. By boycotting elections, the villagers would be depriving themselves of the opportunity to elect representatives who could advocate for their needs and concerns. In a democracy, active participation in elections allows citizens to influence policy decisions and elect officials who can address their grievances effectively.

Statement c-Organizing public meetings against the government's policies:

Organizing public meetings to voice grievances and concerns against government policies is a democratic method. It provides a platform for individuals to exercise their freedom of speech and express their opinions. Public meetings allow villagers to gather, discuss, and raise awareness about their need for drinking water. Through collective action and public discourse, they can put pressure on the government to address their demands, making this option a democratic approach.

Statement d- Paying money to government officials to get water is not a democratic method as it encourages bribery and corruption in society.

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