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The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society Class 8 Questions and Answers
The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society Class 8 Question Answer
The Big Questions (Page 125)
Question 1.
What is the concept of justice?
Answer:
Justice is described as the cornerstone of all societies and is fundamentally about fairness. It is the mechanism that ensures a society stays together, that individuals care for one another, and that the society as a whole protects the individual. The Indian Constitution emphasises this by promising social, economic, and political justice in its Preamble. There are two key aspects of justice:
- Substantive Justice means that the actual decisions made are fair and align with the law.
- Procedural Justice ensures that everyone involved in a dispute has the opportunity to present their side of the story before a final decision is reached.
Question 2.
Why is it important for a just and harmonious Society?
Answer:
Justice serves as the base of peace, harmony, and democracy. Justice ensures social harmony and peace as it creates equality and dignity among the citizens of the state by enforcing laws. Justice ensures the rights of everyone in the society, especially the deprived, poor, and marginalised section of the population and also saves them from any kind of exploitation. The independent judiciary settles disputes in a peaceful manner and prevents the misutilisation of state power. It protects the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.
Question 3.
What is the structure and role of the judiciary in India?
Answer:
India’s judiciary is an integrated and independent branch of the Indian government, which is made up of three separate branches – the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. Independence of judiciary is very important for protecting democracy, ensuring justice, and preventing abuse of power.
The judicial system of India has a three-level structure as follows:
The Supreme Court of India: It is the highest court of India situated in New Delhi. The Supreme Court of India is presided by the Chief Justice of India and has 33 other judges appointed by the President. This is the ultimate authority on the interpretation of the Constitution of India. High Courts of States: The highest courts of India in States level. High Courts supervise all other courts in their jurisdictions.
Subordinate Courts: The courts which operate at the district level and include District Courts, Sessions Courts. Revenue Courts and Civil Judge Courts. These are the courts which deal with the common people more often than others.
Role of Judiciary
Judiciary is very important in terms of safeguarding the Constitution and the rule of law. It acts as the guardian of the Constitution in that it ensures that the laws enacted by the legislature and activities of the executive are done in accordance with the Constitution.
Question 4.
What are the alternative modes of dispute resolution?
Answer:
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to resolving disputes outside of the conventional legal system. It assists in reducing the workload of the courts by offering a faster and cheaper process of justice. The different types of ADR are as follows:
- Arbitration: An arbitrator listens to both sides and delivers a final and legally binding decision as per the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
- Mediation: A mediator assists the parties to come to a consensus but does not have the right to impose any decision upon them. It follows the Mediation Act, 2023.
- Lok Adalat: These are popularly referred to as the People’s Courts, which settle disputes with mutual consent and are recognised under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Gram Nyayalayas: These are village-based mobile courts set up under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008.
Class 8 The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society Question Answer
Question 1.
Think of a time when you felt that someone had not been fair to you. How did you feel? What did you think needed to be done to make the situation right? Who could have made things right? What would you do in such a situation? Share in small groups. (Page 127)
Answer:
When my group leader gave me all the workload for a science project without giving me any credit. I felt ignored and upset. ¡ believed the situation needed to be corrected by dividing the tasks equally and acknowledging everyone’s effort. Our class teacher could have made things right by reviewing our project roles fairly in such a situation. I would first speak directly with my teammate to resolve the issue calmly. If that did not work, I would report the matter to our teacher for a fair solution.
Question 2.
Several High Courts mentioned in the table have more than one bench. Explore which High Courts have more than one bench with the help of your teacher (Page 135)
Answer:
Based on the table provided in the text, some High Courts in India have more than one bench to make justice easily accessible to people living in different regions. Examples include the Bombay High Court (Nagpur, Aurangabad, Panaji), Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore, Gwalior). Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur). Madras High Court (Madurai), Calcutta High Court (Port Blair and Jalpaiguri), and Karnataka High Court (Dharwad, Kalahagundi). These benches hear cases for their respective regions while remaining part of the same High Court.
Question 3.
Which Subordinate Court is closest to where you live? (Page 136)
Answer:
The District Court is the closest subordinate court to where I live. It handles most civil and criminal cases at the district level and functions under the supervision of the High Court.
Class 8 SST Part 2 Chapter 4 Question Answer
Questions and Activities (Pages 141 – 142)
Question 1.
Write a model letter to the High Court or Supreme Court about a current social issue you have observed to bring it to the notice of the judiciary
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer)
A-532, Guirnohar Park
New Delhi
Date: 24-08-2OXX
Hon’ble Justice
High Court of Delhi
New Delhi
Subject: Request for Action on Increasing Air Pollution
Respected Sir/Madam.
I am a citizen who is concerned about the ever-growing issue of air pollution in our city. The pollution levels have gone up and are impacting the health of individuals, particularly children and the aged.
Even though there are policies in place, some industries and vehicles release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Action must be taken now to guarantee that environmental laws are enforced strictly.
It would be very kind of you if you could take action in this regard on behalf of us citizens.
With thanks and regards,
A Concerned Citizen
𝓣𝓪𝓻𝓾𝓷 𝓜𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓻𝓪
Tarun Mishra
Question 2.
Imagine that you are part of the legislature or executive. Given the large number of cases in the judicial system. What are some innovative solutions that you can devise to address the issue?
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer) There are various ways through which this problem can be addressed in order to ensure that the courts have fewer pending cases. First, there is a need to increase the number of judges and courts since this will enable them to handle more cases simultaneously. Currently, many courts have too many pending cases, and increasing their number could help address this issue.
Second, technology should be used more. For instance, virtual hearings, filing cases online, and ensuring that case files are well managed can help save time. Third, there is a need to promote alternative modes of conflict resolution such as mediation, arbitration, and Lok Adalats. These methods facilitate dispute settlement without necessarily having to use the courts.
Finally, there is a need to impose deadlines on certain categories of cases in order to avoid unnecessary delays.
Therefore, large number of cases in courts can be addressed through the provision of additional resources, technological advancements, and faster dispute resolution.
Question 3.
Create a moot court and enact the following cases. What are the considerations that the judge might need to take into account to arrive at a just outcome?
i. Anita and Sameer worked in a factory that produced different types of screws. They had both completed an Industrial Training Institute diploma and joined the factory together. One day Anita discovered that she was getting paid less than Sameer for the same job. After many appeals to her boss and no change in her salary, she decided to go to court. Enact this scene from the litigants’ perspective, showcasing their respective points of view. What might be the outcome of the case?
Answer:
Plaintiff’s Views (Anita): Anita argues that she is being paid less than her colleague, Sameer, despite performing identical tasks with the same qualifications-a discrepancy she claims violates the fundamental principle of “equal pay for equal work.” Defendant’s View (the employer): The employer (representing Sameer’s pay grade) may attempt to justify this gap by citing non-discriminatory factors, such as differences in prior work experience, specific performance metrics, or established company seniority policies.
Judge’s Considerations and Outcome: To resolve the dispute, the judge must meticulously compare the nature, volume, and responsibility of the work performed by both employees. This involves a deep dive into salary records, job descriptions, and relevant anti-discrimination laws to ensure the hearing remains objective and unbiased. If the evidence confirms that Anita is indeed performing equal work for unequal pay, the court will likely rule in her favour, ordering the employer to equalise her salary and provide compensation for the period of discrimination.
ii. The people of a village living next to a river used its water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Gradually, they began to notice that the clear water was turning a brownish colour and had begun to smell too. Many people were falling sick. They figured that this was due to the effluents that were being discharged by a factory upstream. What are the steps that the residents of the village could take to ensure that the water is clean again?
Answer:
Steps the Villagers can Take: In the case of river pollution in the village, residents facing health issues and contaminated water should begin by gathering evidence, such as water samples and medical reports. They can then take legal action by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or submitting a formal complaint to pollution control authorities to address the factory’s discharge.
Judge’s Consideration and Outcome: During the proceedings, the judge must consider concrete proof linking the factory to the pollution, the specific environmental laws violated, and the severity of the impact on public health. If the factory is found liable, the court may order an immediate halt to the pollution, mandate the installation of waste treatment systems, and require the company to pay compensation and fund the restoration of the river.
Question 4.
Many eminent individuals from across India have served as Supreme Court or High Court judges. Write an essay about one such individual from your state or district, talking about their contributions as a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court.
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer) Justice Kuldeep Singh can be regarded as one of the most respectable judges of the Supreme Court of India; he has earned a nickname “Green Judge” due to his efforts for saving the nature of this country. He worked in the Supreme Court during the period of 1980 and 1990 and rendered several landmark decisions aimed at saving natural resources and ensuring public health.
First of all, he advocated the implementation of the principle “polluter pays.” It meant that industries causing pollution should cover costs of eliminating it. Thus, he used this principle to handle the problems of pollution in such urban centres like Delhi, but he also prevented industrial pollution of the Taj Mahal. Moreover, his activities decreased pollution of the Ganges River with industrial wastes.
Another important principle of Justice Kuldeep Singh’s was the idea of “public trust doctrine.” According to this, natural resources like air, water, and forests belong to everybody. The doctrine is currently utilised by courts in their activities regarding the environmental protection.
Also, he promoted Public Interest Litigation (PIL). It made possible for citizens to turn to court directly to solve public issues.
Conclusion: The contribution of Justice Kuldeep Singh has been highly significant for the cause of environment protection and public welfare.
Question 5.
Have an interaction with anyone you know who is a part of the judicial system. Try’ to understand their work, the challenges they face, and what gives them satisfaction. Create a small presentation and share it with the class. You can do this in small groups.
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer) Presentation: Understanding the Life of a Judicial Professional
Slide 1: Introduction
- I interacted with a lawyer to understand their work.
- A lawyer helps people understand and solve their legal problems.
- They represent and guide their clients in legal matters.
- Their work is important for ensuring justice and fairness.
Slide 2: Role and Daily Work
- Case Preparation: Studying legal documents, reading statutes, and preparing arguments for clients.
- Court Appearances: Presenting evidence and defending clients during hearings before judges.
- Client Counseling: Explaining legal procedures, charges, and rights to citizens in simple terms.
Slide 3: Key Challenges Faced
- Heavy Workload: Managing multiple cases due to huge court backlogs and frequent adjournments.
- Time Management: Balancing long court waiting hours with research and client meetings.
- Emotional Stress: Handling difficult situations where victims are under severe stress or grief.
Slide 4: Sources of Satisfaction
- Delivering Justice: Helping innocent individuals get fair treatment and securing relief for victims.
- Upholding the Law: Ensuring that constitutional rights and legal principles are protected.
- Public Service: Giving free legal guidance to underprivileged citizens through legal aid programs.
Slide 5: Conclusion
- Legal professionals serve as a vital link between the public and the court. Despite high workload and stress,
- their work keeps our democracy running on fairness and equality.
Thank you!