Why do we Need a Parliament

Q1 Why do you think our nationalist movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?

Ans: People had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions taken by the Britishers under colonial rule.

1. People were subjected to injustice and could not voice their opinions.
2. They faced great danger if they tried to criticise the decisions of the British government.
3. With the coming of independence, everyone became the citizens of a free country. The freedom movement changed this situation and the nationalists began to openly criticise the British government and make demands for freedom and equality.
4. They demanded that there must be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget and ask questions.
5. This did not mean that the government could do what it felt like, it meant that the government had to be sensitive to people’s needs and demands. The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of independent India.
6. These ideas were included in the Constitution of independent India that laid down the principle of universal adult franchise, i.e. that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote. That way, the citizens can participate in forming the government and they can monitor its functioning.

Hence, the nationalist movement supported the idea of universal adult franchise, so that the people can form the government and take part in its decision making processes.