‘‘Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of age’’
The making of constitution for a huge and a diverse country was not an easy affair. It was a time when people of India were emerging from a status of subjects to citizens. The country of India was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences, which was a traumatic experience for both the people of India as well as Pakistan.
The drafting of documents containing all the basic laws or rules called the constitution was done by an assembly of elected representatives called the constituent assembly. Elections to the constituent assembly were held in July 1946. First meeting was held in December 1946. Soon after the meeting the constituent assembly was also divided into India and Pakistan’s constituent assembly. The constitution assembly that wrote the Indian constitution had 299 members. Members for constituent assembly were elected mainly by the members of existing provincial legislature. The assembly represented a fair geographical share and the members were from different groups, who spoke different languages wore different attire, caste and occupations but the constituent assembly was dominated by congress – the party that led freedom struggle. The constituent assembly worked in systematic, open and consensual manner. DR. BR Ambedkar is known as the father of Indian constitution. He was the head of the drafting committee. The constitution was originally written in both English and Hindi and is the only handwritten constitution of the world. The constitution of India is one of the lengthiest constitutions in the whole world which contains a preamble, 22 parts with 448 articles, 12 schedules 5 appendices and 15 amendments. The constitution of INDIA says that we all are the people of India have solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN,SOCIALIST,SECULAR , DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens;
JUSTICE, social, economical and political;
LIBERTY of thoughts, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQULITY of status and of opportunity;
And to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation;
Constituent assembly adopted the constitution on 26 NOV 1949, but it came into effect on 26 JAN 1950.
The constitution of India had now turned 71 years old. independent India actually got such leaders who are the one actually the real beneficiaries of independence .Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his speech to the Indian constituent assembly in Parliament on the night of 14th and 15th August 1947, when the country got its independence from British rule in his speech he said, ‘long years ago we made a tryst with destiny; and now the times comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially .At the midnight of the stroke , when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.’’ But according to Indian standard time when it was night in India it was morning in other country. Actually it was the world that was awaked and a bedtime for India. Our constitution has been taken from countries like America, Britain, Australia and from many other countries but Nehru didn’t try to understand the nature and culture of its own country. They only copied from other. They got idea of parliament from Great Britain; idea for constitution was adopted from countries like America. Earlier those who control congress were the people who control India. Whole India was in the hands of congress. If the politician who were really credible got that power at that time than we may also now be called sone ki chidiya [the golden bird] as we were called before.
INDIA-BIGGEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD
India is the biggest democracy in the world. Democracy is the form of government which gives its citizen right to vote , their voice matter a lot, they can express their desire and feeling . Constitution of India is the backbone of our democracy. India have given its citizen extensive rights in the constitution, there is universal adult franchise – all adults above the age of 18 and above irrespective of gender , whether they are male or female , whether they are educated or not , whether are rich or poor have the right to vote and choose the representative he or she like.
A person who is above 25 year above wish to stand for election can stand without any restriction on the basis of caste, gender or race. In India the final decision making power rest with those who are elected by the people, the people who are elected rule within limits set by constitution which is the key features of any democracy.
In India the election are free and fair. In India elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful election commission. It enjoys the same rights as judiciary enjoy. The chief election commissioner is appointed by president but once appointed it is mere impossible to remove him. The government of the ruling party can’t pressurize them, they are independent. They take decision in every aspect of election and it implements the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or party those who violate it. During election government officers work under EC and not the government.
NO DOUBT INDIA IS THE BIGGEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD. If people don’t have faith in the government they could even change the government if they wish so…
Democracy is not merely a form of government . it is a primarily a mode of associated living of conjoint communicated experience . it is essentially an attitude of respect and revenge towards our fellow men.