In a history class, students read a speech made in the Constituent Assembly while moving a resolution on the aims of the new nation. One student points out that the resolution declares the aim of an independent and sovereign nation, yet leaves out one word that some friends in the House expected to find in it. Another student notes that the speaker looks back to great revolutions in other countries and hopes India will learn from their success. The teacher asks the class to explain the choices the speaker made.
Why, according to the speaker, was the word democratic not used in the resolution?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The word republic was taken to contain it, so it seemed unnecessary and redundant
Option (1) The word republic was taken to contain it, so it seemed unnecessary and redundant — Correct. The speaker held that <strong>the word republic already contains democratic</strong>, so adding it would be unnecessary and redundant. He added that the resolution gives the content of democracy instead.
Option (2) A republic may not be democratic, so the word was kept back for later debate — Incorrect. He did say a republic may conceivably not be democratic, but he set this aside because the past shows India stands for democratic institutions.
Option (3) The democracies of Europe might soon change shape, so the word was best avoided — Incorrect. He did say Europe's democracies may have to change their shape. He used this point to argue that India may improve upon them.
Option (4) The House was to decide the shape of democracy, so the word was left to it — Incorrect. He did leave the shape of democracy to the House. That point was about its form, and the word itself was left out for another reason.
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