After reading the example of the reservation order, three students had different reactions to the role of the judiciary.

A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act as leaders of two political parties.

Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day and making big changes in the state.

Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice.

Of all the institutions that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the powers on each of the following matters.

Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country?

Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false?

Who among the following is a part of the political executive?

If you are elected as the President of India, which of the following decisions can you take on your own?

Give one reason each to argue that the Indian judiciary is independent with respect to (a) Appointment of judges.

Why are people allowed to go to court against the government's decisions?

Follow the news about any major court case in a High Court or the Supreme Court. What was the original verdict? Did the High Court or the Supreme Court change it? What was the reason?

It is quite common in the US for judges to be nominated on the basis of wellknown political opinions and affiliations.

Eliamma, Annakutti and Marymol read the section on the President. Each of them had a question. Can you help them in answering these questions?

What is better for democracy: A Prime Minister who can do whatever he wishes or a Prime Minister who needs to consult other leaders and parties?

Did you protest when the book referred to the Prime Minister as ‘he’? Have we not had a woman Prime Minister? Why should we assume that all the important positions are held by men?

Why does this book refer to the President as ‘she’? Have we ever had a woman President in our country?

This cartoon depicts a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s, at the peak of her popularity. Do you think similar cartoons could be drawn about other prime ministers who followed her?

(i) List the names of five Cabinet Ministers and their ministries each at the Union level and in your state.

The race to become a minister is not new. Here is a cartoon depicting ministerial aspirants waiting to get a berth in Nehru's Cabinet after the 1962 elections. Why do you think political leaders are so keen to become ministers?

When Parliament is in session, there is a special programme every day on Doordarshan about the proceedings in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

What is the point in having so much debate and discussion in the Parliament when we know that the view of the ruling party is going to prevail?

Which institutions are at work in the running of your school?

Who did what in this case of reservations for backward classes?

The reservation debate was such an important issue during 1990-91 that advertisers used this theme to sell their products. Can you spot some references to political events and debates in these Amul Butter hoardings?

Now I can see clearly! That is why they talk of the Mandalisation of politics. Don't they?

(a) Which points, other than the ones mentioned above, do you recall about these institutions from the previous class? Discuss in class.