Functions of the Judiciary

Read the following situation and answer the question: Sid and Sam inherited their father's property. Sid came to know that Sam had taken the larger share of the property by getting their father's will changed. Matters became worse between the two brothers when Sam started constructing his house on what was rightfully Sid's land. What type of dispute is described in this situation?

• Property dispute between family members

• Dispute over water sharing

• Dispute over government rules

• Dispute over temple entry

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been in a dispute over sharing the waters of the River Kaveri which passes through both states. Tamil Nadu depends on river water for different purposes including irrigation. It is only when Karnataka releases water from a dam that Tamil Nadu can receive water. This has led to tension between both the states. What is the main issue in this dispute?

• Property inheritance

• Water sharing between states

• Electricity supply

• Temple entry

Read the following situation and answer the question: A few years ago, the Government of India passed a rule that those people who did not have electricity in their houses could buy foodgrains and kerosene at a very low price. The state government of Kerala did not agree with this rule because there were many people in Kerala who lived in houses with electricity but who earned less than one lakh rupees a year. These people should also be considered poor and receive the benefits of cheap foodgrains and kerosene. The rules fixed by the Center were unacceptable to Kerala. What is the main reason for the dispute in this situation?

• a) Disagreement over property

• b) Disagreement over water sharing

• c) Disagreement over government rules

• d) Disagreement over temple entry

Some people in a village were not allowed by the local priests to enter a temple. The priests stopped them because these people belonged to an underprivileged caste. This led to a dispute between the priests and the people from the underprivileged caste. What is the main issue in this dispute?

• Property inheritance

• Water sharing

• Discrimination based on caste

• Electricity supply

Which of the following would have been different if we did not have the judiciary in our country?

• There would be no system to resolve disputes fairly.

• Laws would be enforced more strictly by the police only.

• The government would have more unchecked power.

• Citizens would have no way to challenge unfair laws.

Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are involved in a border dispute over Parwanoo. Should the states approach the court to resolve the issue?

• Yes, because courts can provide a legal resolution to inter-state disputes.

• No, because border disputes should be resolved through violence.

• No, because only the central government can resolve such disputes.

• Yes, because courts are the only way to change state boundaries.

Read the examples of different disputes and state the type of dispute in each case. One has been done for you.

Example of Dispute: Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been in a dispute over controlling the Mullaperiyar Dam on the River Periyar.
Type of Dispute: ____________

• Dispute between two states

• Dispute between two countries

• Dispute between a state and the central government

• Dispute between two cities

Read the examples of different disputes and state the type of dispute in each case. One has been done for you. Example of Dispute: West Bengal and the central government were in a dispute in 1962 over the government’s decision to take over some areas that were rich in coal in West Bengal. Type of Dispute: ____________

• Dispute between state and central government

• Dispute between two states

• Dispute between two countries

• Dispute between citizens and government

The judiciary can help protect the rights of these labourers because:

• it can interpret and enforce laws that safeguard their rights.

• it can create new jobs for labourers.

• it can increase wages directly for all workers.

• it can replace trade unions in negotiations.

We have different levels of courts in India because:

• They handle cases of varying importance and allow appeals to higher courts.

• They are all located in different cities only.

• They only deal with international cases.

• They are divided based on the language spoken.