Important Question and Answers
Q. How strong was the bond of friendship between Jumman and Algu?
Ans. The bond of friendship between Algu Chowdhry and Jumman Shaikh was so strong that when either of them went away from the village, the other looked after his family.
Q. “But is it right, my son, to keep mum and not say what you consider just and fair?” “Come to the Panchayat and speak the truth.” (a) Who is speaking? (b) Who was being asked to come to the Panchayat?
Ans. (a) The old woman is speaking to Algu. (b) Algu was being asked to come to the Panchayat.
Q. What decision did Algu give? What was the effect of this decision?
Ans. Algu decided in favour of the old woman and against his friend Jumman. The result was that the bond of friendship between them was broken and they became enemies.
Q. Why was the Panchayat held a second time after a few months?
Ans. The Panchayat was held a second time after some months to solve Algu Chowdhry and Samjhu Sahu’s case. Algu had sold his bullock to Sahu, but Sahu had refused to pay for it because the bullock died after some days.
Q. What did Jumman realize on being appointed as Panch?
Ans. On being appointed as Panch, Jumman realized his responsibility as a judge and the dignity of that post. A panch has no friend nor enemy. He has to do only justice.
Q. Where was the panchayat held?
Ans. The panchayat was held under an old Banyan tree in the village.
Q. On what condition did Jumman get his aunt’s property?
Ans. Jumman promised to support his old aunt as long as she lived. So she transferred her property to Jumman.
Q. Why was Jumman happy over Algu’s nomination as head “Panch”?
Ans. Jumman felt happiness inwardly when the old aunt named Algu as head ‘Panch’. He was sure that the decision in the transferred property will go in his favour. Algu was his best friend.
Q. Why did Algu turn pale?
Ans. Algu turned pale because Sahu nominated Jumman to be the head Panch who was to decide his case.
Q. “The voice of the ‘Panch’ is the voice of God.” Explain.
Ans. One should not deviate from the path of justice and truth for friendship or enmity. The ‘ Panch’ (Judge) becomes the representative of God. He is expected to put aside his personal feelings and give fair decision.
Q. What is your opinion about Algu’s being unhappy when he was nominated as Panch?
Ans. Algu was not happy when he was nominated as Panch by the old lady because his best friend Jumman was one of the parties in the case. Algu did not want to speak anything against his friend which could break his friendship.
Q. What was the behaviour of Jumman and his family towards the old lady?
Ans. The behavior of Jumman and his family towards the old lady was not good and they became indifferent to her. His wife was not happy to serve even the little food to her. Jumman’s aunt swallowed these insults with the food she was given for a long period.
Q. What did Jumman realise when he became the head Panch?
Ans. When Jumman became the head Panch, he realized his responsibility as judge and the dignity of his office. He thought the he must not allow his personal feelings to come in the way of speaking the truth and doing justice to Algu.
Q. Jumman wanted to take his revenge. Why?
Ans. Jumman wanted to take his revenge because his best friend Algu gave the verdict in favour of his aunt instead of him, while he was expecting Algu to favour him as they were best friends, but Algu did the opposite.
Q. The bond of friendship between Jumman and Algu came to an end. How?
Ans. The bond of friendship between Jumman and Algu came to an end because of Jumman’s aunt who approached the panchayat for justice and nominated Algu as the head Panch. Algu and Jumman were good friends so, he was expecting the verdict to be in his favour but Algu realised his responsibility as judge. He was fair in his verdict He announced that Jumman must pay his aunt a monthly allowance or else the property goes back to her. He gave the verdict against Jumman, so the bond of friendship between them was broken but his decision was full of justice. Thus, Jumman became enemy of Algu.
Q. Judge should only know about justice, there is no importance of his personal feelings. Discuss.
Ans. True, a judge should only know justice. A judge is an esteemed person and he is seated at high place where he must realize his responsibility. People come to a judge with lots of expectation and trust for a fair verdict therefore, he must not allow his personal feelings to influence the verdict. A judge should not be biased towards any of the two opposite parties. He should treat everyone equally and nothing should deviate him from the path of justice. He should do only what is just and fair. An honest judge gives verdict on the basis of facts and after examining the case from all angles. So there is no importance of his personal feelings or emotions. n.