The judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the Vishakha Case pertains to
- A.sexual harassment in the workplace
- B.Sati
- C.dowry death
- D.rape
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, sexual harassment in the workplace. In Vishaka and others versus State of Rajasthan, decided in 1997, the Supreme Court laid down binding guidelines to prevent and redress sexual harassment of women at work.
The case arose from the gang rape of Bhanwari Devi, a government social worker in Rajasthan who had tried to stop a child marriage. Women's groups, under the name Vishaka, filed a public interest petition. Since there was no law on the subject, the Court drew on Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 and on the international convention CEDAW, and framed the Vishaka Guidelines, including a complaints committee headed by a woman in every workplace. These guidelines held the field until Parliament passed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
B is wrong: Sati is dealt with by the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, not this case. C is wrong: dowry death is an offence under the penal law and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. D is wrong: the case grew out of a rape, but the judgment dealt with workplace harassment.
Exam tip: Vishaka case 1997 → Vishaka Guidelines → POSH Act 2013.
Practice Questions
View allThe right to form associations and unions is a right
- A.guaranteed to everybody
- B.to freedom guaranteed to citizens only
- C.to equality before law
- D.to life and personal liberty
Show answer
The right to form associations or unions is part of Article 19, and Article 19 rights belong only to citizens of India.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is not correct?
- A.The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
- B.All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.
- C.The Commission, while investigating any matter, has all the powers of a Civil Court.
- D.The Commission has the power to regulate its own procedures.
Show answer
It is not correct, because the President causes the Commission's reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, not only before the Lok Sabha.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.3 only
- B.1, 2 and 4
- C.1, 2 and 3
- D.4 only
Show answer
Statement 3 is the only incorrect one, because laws on the delimitation of constituencies are made by Parliament, not by the Election Commission.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?
- A.It was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
- B.The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.
- C.The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review of an Act included in the Ninth Schedule on the doctrine of basic structure.
- D.The appropriate Legislature can repeal or amend an Act specified in the Ninth Schedule.
Show answer
It is not correct, because Article 31B says the opposite: an Act placed in the Ninth Schedule shall not become void merely because it is inconsistent with a fundamental right in Part III.
Read the full explanation →The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which of the following States?
- A.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
- B.Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram
- C.Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
- D.Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in exactly these four north-eastern states.
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