CONSTITUTION
WHY DO WE NEED A CONSTITUTION?
- Similar to “how rules would ensure smooth functioning of a play”, whether democratic or not, most countries in the world need to have some basic rules for the smooth functioning of its society
WHAT IS A CONSTITUTION?
- Constitution is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living together in a country
- It is the supreme law that determines the relationship among
- people living in a territory
- people and government
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF A CONSTITUTION?
- 1. Provides Unity in Diversity
- it generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind of people to live together
- 2. Allocates Power
- it specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take which decisions
- 3. Specifies Rights
- it lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are
- 4. Nurtures Opportunities
- it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society
SO, CONSTITUTION = DEMOCRACY?
- All countries that have constitutions are not necessarily democratic.
- But all countries that are democratic will have a constitution
WHEN DID INDIA MAKE ITS CONSTITUTION?
- Popular notion – “India made its constitution after Independence” – partially true. In reality, work started even before Independence
- In 1928 – Congress led by Motilal Nehru prepared a first copy of Constitution
- The actual work of drafting constitution started in Dec 1946
WHO WERE THE MAKERS OF THE CONSTITUTION?
- A group of popular elected leaders called the ‘Constituent Assembly’ drafted the document
- The Constituent Assembly that wrote the Indian Constitution finally had 299 members from which 8 Major and 13 Minor Committees were formed
- Most important Committee – Drafting Committee headed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar
WHAT WERE THE GUIDING VALUES OF THE CONSTITUTION?
- The Values that guided freedom struggle also formed the basis of Indian Constitution
- These values are embedded in a short statement – known as Preamble of the Constitution
- Some of these values are
- Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Justice
WHEN DID INDIA ADOPT ITS CONSTITUTION?
- Constitution was adopted and enacted in two phases
- 1st part on Nov 26, 1949 – the day it was passed in Constituent Assembly and
- Remaining part on Jan 26, 1950
- The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949, contained a Preamble, 395 Articles and 8 Schedules.