Examine the following situations and discuss whether they are just. In each case discuss the principle of justice that might be used in defence of your argument.
Suresh, a visually impaired student, gets three hours and thirty minutes to finish his mathematics paper, while the rest of the class gets only three hours.
Geeta walks with a limp. The teacher decided to give her also three hours and thirty minutes to finish her mathematics paper.
A teacher gives grace marks to the weaker students in class, to boost their morale.
A professor distributes different question papers to different students based on her evaluation of their capabilities.
There is a proposal to reserve 33 per cent of the seats in the Parliament for women.
Explanation
The answer applies the principles of justice discussed in the NCERT text: 'equal treatment for equals', 'recognition of different efforts and skills', and 'provision of equal opportunities to the needy'. It uses the text's logic that taking account of 'special needs' (Suresh) extends equal treatment, whereas treating equals differently without relevant reasons (Geeta) violates justice. It also connects reservation and grace marks to the text's discussion on 'schemes to help the disadvantaged' and government's role in harmonising principles.