Constitutional Assembly and Making of the Constitution

A constituent assembly is a body and group of people appointed to draft, revise, or make a country’s constitution. The first idea of the constituent assembly of India was presented by M.N Roy in 1934 but eventually came into force after independence from British rule in 1947. The constitution, which was formed by the assembly, is nothing but a set of principles on which India as a country will thrive. A constitution makes a country stand in a legal position to grow and implement every natural order a country should.

The constitutional assembly and making of the constitution both make sure India is functional as a nation-state and is also able to serve the citizens their share of rights and development. 

Indian Constituent Assembly and Constitution 

Since the time of British rule, Mahatma Gandhi strongly believed that an Indian constitution by the Indians themselves would not be a gift from British imperialism but had to be done by India herself. 

After a lot of hardship and hassle, finally, the Cabinet allowed India to have its first Constituent assembly in 1946. However, the cabinet mission handed out a few recommendations regarding the assembly –

• Each Indian province, state, or group of states were to have several seats, which would be equal representation of their respective populations. The provinces were allotted seats for 292 members, whereas the princely states were allotted 93
• Each province was distributed among Sikhs, Muslims, and general, in proportion to the population.
• The members of each community were allowed to elect their representatives in the assembly.
• The methods of representative selection for the princely states were to be decided by the consultation.

Thus, the constituent assembly has 292 members for Indian provinces and 93 members for princely states. After independence, the constitutional assembly and making of the constitution took place. 

The draft committee was overseen by B.R Ambedkar and was completed on 26th November 1949. Finally, with the constituent assembly’s acceptance, India’s first written constitution came into force on 26th January 1950.

Members of The Indian Constitution

It took several national experts to create the Indian Constitution. Following are some of the major names associated with its formation –

• Dr. Sachchiidananda Sinha, the chairman of the constituent assembly
• Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister
• Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, one of the oldest members of the assembly
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the elected President of the Assembly
• Sarojini Naidu, one of the few women members of the constituent assembly
• C. Rajagopalachari, Vallabhai Patel, Abul Kalam Azad, Shyama Prasad Mukherji, and Nalini Ranjan Ghosh were some other notable members of the constituent assembly who had a very significant role in making the constitution

Philosophy of Indian Constitution

As every constitution should have its social, political, and economical set of principles, the Indian constitution and them too. The following objectives were asked of the Indian constitution to follow and implement –

1. According to the constitutional assembly and making of the constitution, India is an independent sovereign republic.
2. There shall be no parts of India that would represent British India, and all the states must be unified under one constitution.
3. And if territories are wishing to be independent of India, they shall be treated as autonomous with their present boundaries.
4. The construction of India should be formed, represented, and implemented by its people only.
5. The Indian constitution shall promise to serve justice in all social, political, economic, and religious realms. Every religion, freedom of thought, faith, and action will be respected.
6. Every section of backward classes, tribes, and minorities shall be given a voice.
7. Integrity and sovereignty will be implemented and acknowledged
8. Indian constitution will work for its progress and shall participate in world peace

Objectives of the Indian Constitution

The Preamble of India after the constitutional assembly and making of the constitution was successful, read out the four main and basic objectives of this Indian Constitution, it promised to give citizens the following things –

1. JUSTICE – social, economic, and political
2. LIBERTY – of thought, faith, expression, and religion
3. EQUALITY – of status and opportunities
4. FRATERNITY – assuring every citizen’s dignity and

Conclusion 

Every constitution is important to its country. The Indian constitution is one of the most flexible and tolerant constitutions written, given the diversity of the country. The constitutional assembly and making of the constitution lay down the moral, political, social, and humanitarian premise on which India as a country should roll.

The constitution of India is the longest written constitution in the world. It is secular, socialist as well as sovereign, making sure India prospers and serves the best nation to its people. 

Though like any other constitution, the Indian constitution has criticism. It is believed that the making of the constitution was hardly by the Indian people and was rather dealt with by a handful number of people who were the then nation’s builders. The citizens had no choice or say but just to accept it the way it was.

But even with some arguments and criticism, the making of the Indian constitution remains to be the most important and historic event for India. maintaining integrity within the nation