Page 169 - SST Class 06

for example, the people in Myanmar were suffering
However, up to the end of the medieval age, the
ruler had all authority in his hands.
The scenario started to change in the modern
times. The Industrial Revolution in England and
Europe made the people aware. They realized that
the rulers enjoyed while the common people
suffered. So, a kind of dissatisfaction brewed and
it resulted into revolts against the rulers.
The first revolution occurred in England over a
long period from 1642 to 1689 after which a
constitutional government was established. The
American Revolution took place in 1775-83; the
French Revolution took place in 1789 and the
Russian Revolution took place in 1917-22. These
revolutions resulted in the popular movements in
different countries of the world. In recent times,
we have seen such a revolution in Nepal, in
which the power was transferred from the king to
the representatives of the people.
The people had to suffer greatly in order to
possess the right to vote. For example, the black
people had no right to vote in
South Africa and they had to
fight for this right over a long
period under the leadership of
Nelson Mandela . This struggle
is called the anti-apartheid
struggle. Now the black people
Nelson Mandela
too have this right.
Quiz Time
Write True or False :
1. The French Revolution took place in 1775.
________
2. The people are the source of sovereignty.
________
3. The mechanism of decision-making and
participation is a democratic process. ________
4. Nelson Mandela fought against discrimination.
________
5. The ruler ruled with the help of an advisors.
________
The people of some countries are not fortunate
even now. They are struggling to possess this right;
under the military rulers but now there are
parliamentary form of government. Some countries
are always threatened by military which often takes
over the government, like in Pakistan. At present,
there is a parliamentary government in Pakistan,
but the threat of the army overtaking it looms large
at all times. Now the trend in the world is in favour
of giving the people the right to vote. Recently,
Nepal and Bhutan have opted for this.
Activity
Collect pictures of President and Prime Ministers
and other cabinet ministers of India and paste
them in your scrapbook.
History of Universal Adult Franchise in
India
India was under the British government until
1947. Prior to 1919, the Indian people had no
right to vote. Only 3 percent of the people were
given the right to vote in 1919 under the
Government of India Act, 1919. This privilege was
extended to 10 percent people under the
Government of India Act, 1935, but its primary
aim was to divide the Indian people on communal
lines.
Since the coming of the Constitution of India into
force, all adult people of India have been given
the right to vote. It is the duty of every citizen to
vote for able and meritorious candidates. We
ought not listen to the selfish interests of certain
sections of people. We should think for the
welfare of the entire country. The leaders who try
to divide people on caste, communal, regional or
other bases are wicked. We must not vote for such
leaders, because they have done and are doing
more harm than good.
Jawaharlal Nehru in Parliament
The Government and Suffrage
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