An Overview of Constituent Assembly and its Members

The Constituent Assembly met for the first time in New Delhi on December 9, 1946, at the Constitution Hall, which today is known as the Parliament of India.

First Day In The Constituent Assembly 

The Chamber, which had been magnificently decorated for the event, took on a new appearance that day, with a constellation of dazzling lamps hanging from the lofty ceilings as well as the brackets on its walls.

The hon’ble senators sat in semi-circular rows facing the Presidential dais, exhausted and ecstatic. The electrically-heated workstations were situated on sloping green-carpeted patios. 

The front row included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, Shri Hare-Krushna Mahatab, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Acharya J.B. Kripalani, Shri Sarat Chandra Bose. There were 270 delegates in attendance, including nine women. 

The maiden session began at 11 a.m. with Acharya Kripalani introducing Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the Assembly’s interim Chairman. Acharyaji spoke to Dr. Sinha and others when they arrived: “As we begin every project with Divine blessings, we ask Dr. Sinha to invoke these good wishes for us so that our work might progress smoothly. Now, on your behalf, I request that Dr. Sinha assume the Chair once more.”

Dr. Sinha took the Chair amid applause and read out the compassionate wishes received from many nations. Following the Chairman’s inaugural remarks and the appointment of a Vice-Chairman, the participants were formally asked to produce their credentials. The proceedings on the First Day concluded when all 207 members present presented their qualifications and signed the Record.

Members of the press and tourists sat in the galleries, 30 feet above the ground of the Chamber, to watch this historic occurrence. The All India Radio in Delhi presented a composite sound image of the whole event. 

Constituent Assembly 

The Constituent Assembly took nearly three years. (two years, eleven months, and seventeen days) to complete the monumental work of establishing the Constitution of Independent India. During this time, it had eleven sessions totaling 165 days. Of these, 114 days were devoted to deliberating on the Draft Constitution.

Participants were appointed by indirect election by representatives of the Regional Legislative Assemblies, in accordance with the Cabinet Mission’s recommendation. The system was as follows: 292 members were chosen through Provincial Legislative Assemblies, (ii) 93 members represented the Indian Princely States, and (iii) 4 members represented Chief Commissioners’ Provinces. As a result, the Assembly’s total membership was to be 389. However, as a consequence of the Mountbatten Plan split on June 3, 1947, a separate Constituent Assembly was established for Pakistan, and MPs from several regions ceased to be members of the Assembly. As an outcome, the Assembly’s membership was decreased to 299.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Introduced The Objectives Resolution On December 13, 1946. 

1. This Constituent Assembly announces its firm and solemn determination to establish India as the Independent Sovereign Republic and to draught a constitution for her future rule; 

2. Wherein the territories that now encompass British India, the territories that now comprise the Indian States, and such other parts of India that are outside of British India and the States, as well as such other territories that are ready and able to be affirmed into Independent India, shall be united; and 

3. Wherein the said regions, whether with their current borders or with such others as may be ascertained by the Constituent Assembly and afterward according to the provisions of the Constitution, shall possess and maintain the status of individual Entities, together with residuary powers, and exercise all powers and duties of public administration, save and except those vested in or designated to the Union, or as are implicit or implied in the Constitution. 

4. Whereas the people hold all power and influence in sovereign India, its component parts, and government agencies; and 

5. Wherein will be assured and secured to all the citizens of India justice, social, economic, and political equality of position, chance, and before the law; liberty of opinion, speech, belief, faith, devotion, vocation, association, and action, according to law and public decency; and 

6. WHEREIN sufficient protections are given for ethnicities, undeveloped and tribal areas, as well as the poor and other disadvantaged classes; and 

7. Where the integrity of the republic’s territory and its sovereign rights on land, sea, and air are maintained in accordance with justice and the law of civilized nations; and 

8. This old land achieves its rightful and honored place in the world and contributes fully and willingly to the development of world peace and the benefit of people. 

On 22 January 1947, the Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly accepted this Resolution.

The Assembly assembled in Constitution Square late in the evening of August 14, 1947, and assumed over as the Legislative Council of an Independent India at midnight. 

Member Of The Constituent Assembly

 Members of note – 

·       B. R. Ambedkar, Minister of Law and Justice and Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

·       Constitutional Advisor B. N. Rau

·       Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.

·       Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Vallabhbhai Patel

·       President of the Indian National Congress, J. B. Kripalani. 

The Constituent Assembly had 389 members, fifteen of them were women. The freshly elected Constituent Assembly constituted the Temporary Government of India on September 2, 1946.  

Conclusion

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On August 29, 1947, the Constituent Assembly held a Drafting Committee, headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to develop a draft constitution for India. The Assembly moved, considered, and voted on as many as 2,473 modifications out of a total of 7,635 proposed while deliberating on the draft Constitution.