NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 1 Notes Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Notes | Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

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NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 | Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Topic & sub-topics covered: Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka and MCQs Questions: Power-sharing (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 1 “Power-sharing“.

Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 1 Power-sharing PDF Notes

Are you preparing for your Class 10 exams and looking for the best & exam-oriented notes? Look no further than E-bookncert.com! Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 1 Power-sharing PDF Notes to understand one of the most important chapters in your board exam syllabus.

This chapter explains the concept of power-sharing in a democracy, its necessity, and various forms through real-life examples from countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka, Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, Accommodation in Belgium, Khalil’s Dilemma, and Forms of Power-sharing.

Visit the E-book NCERT to download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 1 Power-sharing PDF Notes. Prepare for your board & school exam with our notes that will help you understand the concepts and boost your understanding and mark in exams.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's Independence and Initial Policies
Source: NCERT Book

Sri Lanka’s Independence and Initial Policies

1. Independence and Majoritarianism:

  • Sri Lanka became an independent country in 1948.
  • Sinhala leaders sought to secure dominance in government due to their majority.
  • The government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

2. Majoritarian Measures:

  • 1956 Act: Declared Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
  • Preferential policies favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
  • The constitution mandated the state to protect and foster Buddhism.

Impact on Sri Lankan Tamils

1. Feeling of Alienation:

  • Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated due to:
    a. Insensitivity to their language and culture.
    b. Discrimination in political rights, education, jobs, and opportunities.
  • Major political parties led by Buddhist Sinhala leaders ignored Tamil interests.

2. Strained Relations:

  • Increasing alienation led to strained relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities.

Tamil Resistance and Conflict

1. Tamil Demands and Struggles:

  • Sri Lankan Tamils demanded:
  • Tamil as an official language.
  • Regional autonomy.
  • Equal opportunities in education and employment.
  • Their demands for autonomy in Tamil-populated provinces were repeatedly denied.

2. Political Organisations and Tamil Eelam:

  • By the 1980s, Tamil political organisations demanded an independent Tamil Eelam in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

3. Civil War:

  • Distrust between communities escalated into widespread conflict and civil war.
  • Thousands were killed, and many families became refugees or lost livelihoods.
  • The civil war caused severe setbacks to Sri Lanka’s social, cultural, and economic life.
  • The civil war ended in 2009.

Key Concept

1. Majoritarianism:

  • The belief is that the majority community can rule the country as it wishes, disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 1: Power-sharing

Topics No.Topics Name
1Belgium and Sri Lanka
2Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
3Accommodation in Belgium
4Khalil’s Dilemma
5Forms of Power-sharing

MCQ’s on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Tpoic – Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Here are top exam oriented mcq’s type questions on Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. When did Sri Lanka emerge as an independent country?

a) 1947
b) 1948
c) 1950
d) 1956

Answer: b) 1948

Question 2. What measures did the Sinhala leaders take to establish their dominance?

a) Promoting equal opportunities for all communities
b) Adopting majoritarian policies favouring the Sinhala community
c) Establishing Tamil as the second official language
d) Forming a coalition government with Tamil leaders

Answer: b) Adopting majoritarian policies favouring the Sinhala community

Question 3. Which Act passed in 1956 disregarded Tamil as an official language?

a) Tamil Recognition Act
b) Sinhala Supremacy Act
c) Official Language Act
d) Language Equality Act

Answer: c) Official Language Act

Question 4. What did the 1956 Act recognize as the only official language of Sri Lanka?

a) Tamil
b) English
c) Sinhala
d) Pali

Answer: c) Sinhala

Question 5. What policies did the Sri Lankan government follow to favour the Sinhala community?

a) Preferential policies in education and jobs
b) Establishing Tamil universities
c) Implementing equal rights for all communities
d) Providing special economic benefits to Tamils

Answer: a) Preferential policies in education and jobs

Question 6. What was stipulated in the new constitution of Sri Lanka to further Sinhala dominance?

a) Protection of Tamil culture
b) Adoption of Buddhism as a state religion
c) Equal representation for all ethnic groups
d) Establishment of Tamil Eelam

Answer: b) Adoption of Buddhism as a state religion

Question 7. How did the Sri Lankan Tamils feel about the government policies?

a) Empowered and supported
b) Alienated and discriminated against
c) Respected and valued
d) Equal beneficiaries of all policies

Answer: b) Alienated and discriminated against

Question 8. What demands were made by the Sri Lankan Tamils?

a) Independence for Sinhala regions
b) Recognition of Tamil as an official language and regional autonomy
c) Abolition of the Buddhist constitution
d) Full integration into the Sinhala culture

Answer: b) Recognition of Tamil as an official language and regional autonomy

Question 9. What specific rights did Sri Lankan Tamils feel were denied to them?

a) Equal political rights
b) Opportunities in education and jobs
c) Recognition of their language and culture
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 10. What was the Tamil demand for autonomy primarily related to?

a) Western provinces
b) Northern and eastern provinces
c) Central provinces
d) Southern provinces

Answer: b) Northern and eastern provinces

Question 11. What major demand led to the formation of political organizations by Tamils in the 1980s?

a) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam
b) Recognition of Sinhala as the only language
c) Adoption of Buddhism as a state religion
d) Equal representation in Sinhala regions

Answer: a) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam

Question 12. What was the outcome of the growing distrust between the Sinhala and Tamil communities?

a) Peaceful resolution of disputes
b) Widespread conflict and civil war
c) Recognition of Tamil as the official language
d) Integration of Tamil and Sinhala communities

Answer: b) Widespread conflict and civil war

Question 13. When did the civil war in Sri Lanka end?

a) 1980
b) 1999
c) 2009
d) 2015

Answer: c) 2009

Question 14. What were the consequences of the civil war in Sri Lanka?

a) Thousands of deaths
b) Families displaced as refugees
c) Loss of livelihoods and setbacks to the country’s social, cultural, and economic life
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 15. What is majoritarianism?

a) A system where minority communities have greater control over governance
b) A belief that the majority community should rule the country by disregarding the minority’s needs
c) Equal representation for all communities in governance
d) A policy promoting religious equality

Answer: b) A belief that the majority community should rule the country by disregarding the minority’s needs

Question 16. Which of the following best illustrates majoritarianism in Sri Lanka?

a) Equal political representation for Tamils and Sinhalas
b) Recognition of Tamil culture and language
c) Favoritism toward Sinhala community in governance and education
d) Autonomous governance for Tamil regions

Answer: c) Favoritism toward Sinhala community in governance and education

Question 17. What role did Buddhism play in the context of majoritarianism in Sri Lanka?

a) It was sidelined by the government policies.
b) It was promoted and protected by the state.
c) It became a secondary religion to Tamil Hinduism.
d) It had no influence on the political landscape.

Answer: b) It was promoted and protected by the state.

Question 18. Why did the Tamil demands for autonomy remain unfulfilled?

a) Lack of political representation by Tamil leaders
b) Repeated denial by the Sinhala-dominated government
c) Lack of support from international organizations
d) Disinterest among Tamil communities

Answer: b) Repeated denial by the Sinhala-dominated government

Question 19. What was the primary cause of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils?

a) Equal representation in governance
b) Discrimination in jobs and education
c) Inclusion of Tamil in the constitution
d) Preferential treatment for Tamil-speaking people

Answer: b) Discrimination in jobs and education

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