The Making of the Indian Constitution
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Introduction
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the country, laying the foundation for governance, democracy, and justice. It embodies the aspirations and vision of the founding fathers who meticulously crafted it over nearly three years. The making of the Indian Constitution is a remarkable tale of struggle, debate, and dedication, ultimately giving birth to the world's largest democracy.
The Demand for a Constituent Assembly
The idea of a Constituent Assembly was first proposed in 1934 by M.N. Roy, a revolutionary and founder of the Communist Party of India. The demand was later taken up by the Indian National Congress in 1935.
British Offers and Plans
During World War II, Britain made several proposals regarding India’s constitutional future:
- August Offer (1940) – Rejected due to Congress’ demand for full independence.
- Cripps Proposal (1942) – Offered dominion status but was rejected.
- Wavell Plan (1945) – Proposed equal representation for Hindus and Muslims but failed.
- Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) – Accepted by both the Congress and the Muslim League, leading to the formation of the Constituent Assembly.
The Cabinet Mission Plan led to elections in July-August 1946, with Congress winning 208 seats and the Muslim League securing 73. After partition, the number of assembly members was reduced to 299.
📜 Making of the Indian Constitution
Formation of the Constituent Assembly
The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachidananda Sinha as the temporary president. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was later elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
🧠 Constituent Assembly Functions
Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- Total Seats: 389
- 296 from British Indian Provinces
- 93 from Princely States
- Method of Election: Indirect elections through Proportional Representation & Single Transferable Vote
- Major Figures:
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman, Drafting Committee)
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Vice President & Head of External Affairs)
- Sardar Patel (Home Minister)
- Rajendra Prasad (President of the Assembly)
📊 Major Committees of Constituent Assembly
| Committee | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Drafting Committee | B.R. Ambedkar |
| Union Powers Committee | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Fundamental Rights Committee | Vallabhbhai Patel |
| Finance Committee | Rajendra Prasad |
Drafting the Constitution
The Drafting Committee was formed on August 29, 1947, under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who is often called the "Father of the Indian Constitution."
Key Statistics
- Total Sessions Held: 11 sessions over 165 days
- Time Taken: 2 years, 11 months, 18 days
- Total Cost: ₹64 lakhs
Key Milestones
- First Draft: February 21, 1948 (Open for public review for 8 months)
- Final Draft Introduced: November 4, 1948
- Three Readings:
- First Reading: 5 days
- Second Reading: November 15, 1948 – October 17, 1949
- Third Reading: Completed on November 26, 1949 (now celebrated as Constitution Day)
- Final Adoption: November 26, 1949
- Came into Effect: January 26, 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day)
Important Committees and Their Roles
The Constituent Assembly had 8 major committees and 13 minor committees.
Major Committees:
- Drafting Committee – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
- Union Powers Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Fundamental Rights Committee – Vallabhbhai Patel
- Finance & Staff Committee – Rajendra Prasad
- Union Constitution Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
- Provincial Constitution Committee – Sardar Patel
- Rules of Procedure Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- States Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
Significance of January 26, 1950
The date was chosen because on January 26, 1930, the Indian National Congress had declared Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) from British rule. The Constitution was officially enforced on this day, making India a sovereign republic.
Unique Features of the Indian Constitution
- World’s Longest Written Constitution
- Originally: 395 Articles, 8 Schedules, 22 Parts
- Currently: 448 Articles, 12 Schedules, 25 Parts
- Partly Rigid & Partly Flexible
- Inspired by Various Constitutions:
- USA: Fundamental Rights, Judiciary
- UK: Parliamentary System
- Ireland: Directive Principles
- Canada: Federal System
- Preamble Reflects the Values: "We, the people of India..."
- Symbol of the Indian Constitution: Elephant
Women in the Constituent Assembly
Out of 284 members who signed the Constitution, 15 were women, including:
- Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur (1st Health Minister of India)
- Sucheta Kripalani (1st Female CM of Uttar Pradesh)
- Sarojini Naidu (1st Governor of Uttar Pradesh)
Mahatma Gandhi was not a member of the Constituent Assembly.
Final Draft and Calligraphy
- Calligraphy in English: Prem Behari Narain Raizada
- Calligraphy in Hindi: Vasant Krishan Vaidya
- Decoration by: Nand Lal Bose & Beohar Ram Manohar
Conclusion
The making of the Indian Constitution was a monumental task undertaken by visionary leaders. It laid the foundation for democracy, secularism, and equality in India. Today, the Indian Constitution stands as a guiding force, ensuring justice, liberty, and fraternity for every citizen.
Thanks For Reading :)
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