“Citizenship” is something we frequently hear but, what does it mean? A person’s relationship with a state, to which they owe allegiance and are therefore legally protected, is known as citizenship. Being a citizen comes with obligations in addition to rights. The Indian Constitution’s Articles 5 through 11 deal with Indian citizenship. In this blog, we will explore the idea of citizenship in learning about its importance and its rights and obligations.
Citizenship Chapter 6 Class 11 Polity Notes
Citizenship
- A person’s relationship with the government is referred to as their “citizenship.”
- India has two categories of citizens, much like every other contemporary state: natives and foreigners.
- As full members of the Indian State, citizens are obligated to abide by its laws. They are entitled to use their political and civic liberties.
- Citizenship is an exclusive idea since it keeps out non-citizens.
Full and Equal Citizenship
The chapter discusses the dynamics of citizenship and the challenges related to migration, job opportunities, and local resistance towards outsiders. It highlights how the concept of “full and equal membership” for citizens raises questions about rights and opportunities, particularly regarding freedom of movement and the right to work anywhere in the country.
Resistance against outsiders often arises due to competition for limited job opportunities, leading to movements demanding job restrictions based on regional or linguistic criteria. The passage also reflects on the difference in attitudes towards skilled and unskilled migrants, questioning whether all citizens should have equal rights to live and work anywhere in the country.
Disputes in democratic societies are expected, but they should be resolved through peaceful means such as protests, influencing public opinion, and legal recourse. The guiding principle should be to provide full and equal membership to all citizens, resolving conflicts through negotiation and discussion rather than force, which is a fundamental obligation of citizenship.
Importance of Citizenship
A nation’s citizens are entitled to a wide range of privileges and rights. A person is stateless if they lack citizenship. Benefits like the ability to vote, run for office, occupy constitutional posts, receive social security and health care, be granted permanent residency, own land, and so on are granted to those who are recognised as citizens of a certain nation.
- Only citizens are eligible to vote.
- Only citizens are eligible to occupy posts defined by the constitution, such as governor, president, vice president, minister, judge, and so on.
- Only programmes created by the government, especially for Indian nationals are available to the public.
Equal Rights
This section examines the issue of whether all citizens, regardless of wealth, should be guaranteed certain basic rights and a minimum standard of living by the state, focusing on the urban poor as a case study. It highlights the challenges faced by slum-dwellers and squatters in cities, who often lack access to essential services and live in insecure conditions despite contributing significantly to the economy through their labor.
Awareness about the plight of the urban poor is increasing among governments and NGOs, leading to policy initiatives aimed at recognizing and regulating their professions, such as street vending. However, slum-dwellers are also organizing to demand their rights, including the right to live and work without harassment.
Additionally, the marginalized status of tribal people and forest dwellers is discussed, emphasizing the need to protect their way of life and livelihoods amidst pressures from population growth, commercial interests, and tourism.
The passage underscores the complexity of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, acknowledging the diverse needs and challenges faced by different groups. It emphasizes the evolving interpretation of citizenship rights and the importance of government policies that prioritize equal rights and protection for all citizens.
Citizen and Nation
The concept of the nation-state emerged during the modern period, with France’s revolutionaries in 1789 asserting sovereignty and democratic rights. Nation-states claim unique cultures and histories expressed through symbols like flags and anthems. While modern states embrace diversity, their national identity aims to unify citizens politically, although this inclusivity can vary.
France, for example, promotes secularism and inclusion, expecting citizens to assimilate publicly while preserving personal beliefs privately. However, controversies arise, such as debates over religious symbols in public spaces like schools.
Criteria for citizenship also vary; some countries prioritize factors like religion or ethnicity. India, a secular democracy, aims for inclusivity, as seen in its diverse Constitution. Despite inclusive provisions, struggles persist, like those of marginalized groups seeking full citizenship rights.
In democratic states like India, citizenship is an ongoing project, requiring negotiation and adaptation to address evolving societal demands and changes.
Universal Citizenship
When considering refugees or illegal migrants, various scenarios may come to mind, such as individuals from Asia or Africa attempting risky journeys to Europe or America, or people displaced by conflict or famine, like those in Darfur or Palestine. These individuals are often forced to seek refuge in their own or neighboring countries.
While many states advocate for universal and inclusive citizenship, each imposes criteria for citizenship, typically outlined in their constitutions and laws. Despite efforts to restrict migration, significant movement of people still occurs worldwide due to factors like war, persecution, and famine. Those unable to find refuge become stateless or live as illegal migrants, facing limitations on work, education, and property ownership.
Decisions on accepting refugees pose complex humanitarian and political challenges for states. India, for instance, has a history of providing refuge to persecuted groups like the Dalai Lama’s followers. However, many refugees remain stateless for generations, challenging the notion of universal citizenship. Stateless individuals face severe consequences, including loss of homes and security, due to border disputes or conflicts.
The issue of stateless people raises questions about whether citizenship can adequately address their plight or if alternative global identities, such as global citizenship, should be explored. These possibilities will be further discussed in the next section.
Global Citizenship
The statements above highlight the interconnectedness of the world we live in today. They indicate that global events and challenges, such as natural disasters, terrorism, and pandemics, transcend national borders and require collective efforts for resolution.
In our interconnected world, advancements in communication technology like the internet, television, and cell phones have facilitated immediate access to news and events worldwide. This has fostered shared sympathies and concerns among people across different countries.
Supporters of global citizenship argue that despite the absence of a fully formed global community, people already feel connected across national boundaries. They cite instances like the international aid response to disasters as evidence of the emergence of a global society, advocating for the strengthening of this interconnectedness.
While national citizenship traditionally provides protection and rights within a state, contemporary challenges often require collaborative efforts beyond national boundaries. The concept of global citizenship offers a framework for addressing issues that extend across borders, such as migration and statelessness, by emphasizing cooperation and collective action among individuals and governments worldwide.
While national citizenship remains crucial for ensuring equal rights and membership within a particular society, the idea of global citizenship underscores the importance of recognizing and engaging with our interconnected world, advocating for cooperation and solidarity across national borders.
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Citizenship-FAQs
What is citizenship in the polity?
A person’s legal status as a citizen is their legal recognition as a citizen of a nation or a sovereign state. Articles 5 through 11 of the Indian Constitution address the idea of citizenship.
How can I become a citizen of a different country?
To become a citizen of another nation, an individual must usually achieve certain qualifying requirements, such as staying in the nation for a predetermined amount of time, proving one’s language skills, and completing any other conditions imposed by the immigration authorities. Getting married to a citizen, naturalising, or participating in investment programmes are common routes. You must familiarise yourself with the particular laws of the nation you are considering visiting.
Can I hold dual citizenship in different countries?
The capacity to hold citizenship in two or more nations at the same time is known as dual citizenship, and it is permitted in certain nations but not in others. The legislation of the many nations concerned must be checked because there are significant variations in the regulations about dual citizenship. Some countries demand the surrender of prior citizenships, while others immediately provide citizenship to anyone born inside its borders. It is recommended that you obtain legal counsel and confer with the appropriate authorities to fully comprehend the potential ramifications of holding dual citizenship.
What is the difference between citizenship and residency?
The legal statuses of citizenship and residence are different. As proof of belonging to a nation, citizenship carries obligations and privileges including the ability to vote and the need to abide by the laws of that nation. Like naturalisation, obtaining citizenship frequently requires following official procedures. Conversely, residence is only the act of residing in a nation for a predetermined amount of time. A person’s residency gives them some privileges within the nation, but it does not provide them full citizenship. The conditions for becoming a resident differ and might include things like work, investments, or family relationships.
What are the two types of citizenship in Class 11?
In India, there are two types of citizenship. The first is “natural,” having been gained by birth, whereas the second is not. You are an Indian citizen if you were born there and your parents are citizens of India.
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