Direction (Qs.1 to 10): Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The idea of designating an individual as a terrorist, as the latest amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act propose to do, may appear innocuous. However, designating an individual as a terrorist raises serious constitutional questions and has the potential for misuse. (A) The practice of designating individuals under anti-terrorism laws, (1) prevalent in several countries, is seen as being (2) necessary because (3) continue groups tend to change their names and (4) banned to operate. However, there is no set procedure for designating an individual a terrorist. Parliament must consider whether an individual can be called a ‘terrorist’ prior to conviction in a court of law. The absence of a judicial determination may render the provision …(B)… to invalidation. There ought to be a distinction between an individual and an organization, as the former enjoys the right to life and liberty. The likely adverse consequences of a terrorist tag may be worse for individuals than for organizations. (C) Further, individuals may be subjected to arrest and detention; even after obtaining bail from the courts, they may have their travel and movements restricted, besides carrying the taint. This makes it vital that individuals have a faster means of redress than groups. Unfortunately, there is no change in the process of getting an entity removed from the list. Just as any organization getting the tag, individuals, too, will have to apply to the Centre to get their names removed.
A wrongful designation will cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation, career and livelihood. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s warning that his government would not spare terrorists or their sympathizers, and his reference to ‘urban Maoists’, are (D) portentous about the possibility of misuse. It has been argued by some members in Parliament that the Bill contains anti-federal features. The provision to empower the head of the National Investigation Agency to approve the (E) forfeiture of property of those involved in terrorism cases obviously overrides a function of the State government. At present, the approval has to be given by the State police head. Also, there will be a section allowing NIA Inspectors to investigate terrorism cases, as against a Deputy Superintendent of Police or an Assistance Commissioner. This significantly enhances the scope for misuse. The 2004 amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, made it a comprehensive anti-terror law that provided for punishing acts of terrorism, as well as for designating groups as ‘terrorist organizations’, Parliament further (F) amended it in 2008 and 2013 to strengthen the legal framework to combat terror. While none will question the need for …(G)… laws that show ‘zero tolerance’ towards terrorism, the government should be mindful of its obligations to preserve fundamental rights while enacting legislation on the subject.
Question No : 1
The sentence given in (A) has four words in bold. Amongst the given bold words which of the following must replace each other to make the sentence contextually correct and meaningful.
(1) 2 - 4
(2) 1 - 3
(3) 2 - 3
(4) 3 - 4
(5) 1 - 2
Question No : 2
Which of the following words given in the options should come at the place marked (B) in the above article to make it grammatically correct and meaningful.
(1) vulnerable
(2) immune
(3) suspected
(4) considering
(5) None of these
Question No : 3
In the passage given, a sentence (C) is given in bold. There may or may not be an error in one part of the sentence. Choose the part which has an error in it as your answer. If there is no error then choose option (5) as your answer.
(1) Further, individuals may be subjected to arrest
(2) And detention; even after obtaining bail from the
(3) Courts, they may have their travel and movements
(4) Restricted, besides carrying the taint.
(5) No errorQuestion No : 4
Which of the following statements given in the options is/are correct?
(I) Individuals who are tagged as terrorists may be subjected to arrest and detention; even after obtaining bail from the courts, they may have their travel and movements restricted, besides carrying the taint.
(II) Just as any organization getting the tag, individuals will also have to apply to the Centre to get their names removed.
(III) Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s warning that his government would not spare terrorists or their sympathizers, and his reference to ‘urban Maoists’ are portentous about the possibility of misuse.
(1) Only (I)
(2) Only (III)
(3) (I) and (II)
(4) (II) and (III)
(5) (I), (II) and (III)
Question No : 5
Which of the words have the SAME meaning as the word mentioned in (D)?
(1) Propitious
(2) Favorable
(3) Modest
(4) Ominous
(5) None of these
Question No : 6
Which of the following replace the word marked (E) to make it contextually correct and meaningful? If no replacement is required, mark option (5).
(1) Parsimonious
(2) Dissident
(3) Clemency
(4) Furor
(5) No replacement required
Question No : 7
Which of the words have the OPPOSITE meaning as the word mentioned in (F)?
(1) Modified
(2) Revised
(3) Adjusted
(4) Faulty
(5) None of these
Question No : 8
What are the probable consequences of an individual tagged as a terrorist as per the passage?
(I) A wrongful designation will cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation, career and livelihood.
(II) Individuals could be subjected to arrest and detention.
(III) They may have their travel and movements restricted besides carrying the tag.
(1) Only (I)
(2) Only (II)
(3) (I) and (II)
(4) (III) and (II)
(5) All of these
Question No : 9
Which of the following words given in the options should come at the place marked (G) in the above article to make it grammatically correct and meaningful.
(1) unguent
(2) liniment
(3) altered
(4) stringent
(5) None of these
Question No : 10
What can be a suitable title for the passage?
(1) The glitches in the implementation of the NIA Act
(2) The terrorist tag: on the latest amendments to the NIA Act
(3) Amit Shah’s vitriolic comments with reference to ‘urban Maoists’
(4) The 2004 amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and its repercussions
(5) None of these