The Constituent Assembly was a sovereign body that was constituted to draft the Constitution of India. The assembly was formed in 1946, and it took almost two years to complete the process of making the Constitution. The Constitution was finally adopted on November 26, 1949. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Constituent Assembly and its role in the making of independent India’s constitution.
What Is the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution is one of the longest written constitutions in the world, containing over 448 Articles and 12 Schedules. The process of drafting the constitution of India was long and arduous, but it resulted in a document that reflects the diversity and richness of our country. Our constitution is a living document that has been amended over 100 times to reflect the changing needs of our society. Let us take pride in this remarkable achievement and work together to uphold its values and principles.
What Is a Constituent Assembly?
The constituent assembly refers to a body or committee of representatives that are elected by the people. It has the sole purpose of drafting and forming a constitution for a nation. This body can be formed at any time in the history of any country, depending on when they need it and at which stage they are in their development. Once this assembly draws up the constitution, its job is done. The members then go back to governing their nations as per the rules laid down by them earlier.
Making of Indian Constitution
The constituent assembly for India was convened on December 9 1946, soon after the country gained independence from British rule. A total of 389 members were elected to represent various parts of the nation. They had a lot of work to do- they had to frame a new constitution for India and undo all the damage done by years of colonial rule.
Many heated debates and negotiations later, the Indian Constitution was finally adopted on November 26th, 1949. It has been amended over a hundred times since then, making it one of the most dynamic constitutions in the world.
Some key features of the Indian Constitution include:
- A federal system with a strong centre
- Universal adult suffrage and fundamental rights for all citizens
- Separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary
- An independent election commission for free and fair elections
- A parliamentary form of government
- Uniform civil code to be followed by all citizens
These are just some of the many features that make up the Indian Constitution. It is a lengthy document that has been designed in such a way that it can change as per the needs of future generations.
Who Was The President of the Constituent Assembly?
The president of the constituent assembly was Dr Rajendra Prasad, who later went on to become the first President of India. He played a pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution and is considered one of its founding fathers. In his inaugural address, he said “We have gathered here not merely to frame a constitution but also to write into it the story of our struggle for independence and our hopes for the future.” This encapsulates the spirit of the constituent assembly- it was not just about drafting a document, but about giving voice to all Indians who had fought for their freedom. The members of this assembly represented every section of society- from rich landowners to poor peasants, and everything in between. They worked tirelessly to create a document that would be fair and just for all.
Other Members In The Constituent Assembly
Some of the other notable members in the Indian constituent assembly were Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. They all played an important role in shaping India’s future and helped to draft a constitution that would be respected and admired for years to come. Dr Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the drafting committee, is considered one of the architects of modern India.
Conclusion
The Indian Constituent Assembly was an important milestone in the history of democracy in India. It was a unique assembly that represented all sections of Indian society, and it played a key role in drafting India’s Constitution. This process was long and difficult, but the result was a document that reflected the aspirations of the people of India. The Constitution has been amended many times over the years, but it still forms the basis for Indian democracy. As students, it is important to understand the origins of our democracy and how it has evolved. We hope this article has given you some insights into the Constituent Assembly and its impact on modern-day India.