3 min speech on Indian Constitution :)
Answers
Dear friends it was not an easy affair to make a constitution for a huge and diverse country like India. The major factors which contributed to the making of our Constitution were:
1. People of India were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens.
2. The country was formed after a partition on the basis of religious differences. It was a traumatic experience for the people of India and Pakistan.
3. The rulers of the princely states were free to decide whether they wanted to merge with India or Pakistan or remain independent.
4. In 1928, Motilal Nehru and other Congress leaders drafted a constitution for India. The resolution of the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress, in 1931 dwelt on how independent India's constitution should look like. These documents included universal adult franchise, right to freedom and equality and protection of the rights of minorities. Thus all leaders accepted some basic values much before the formation of the Constitution.
5. The familiarity with the political institutions of colonial rule helped to develop an agreement over the institutional design. Elections were held all over British India in 1937, to Provincial Legislatures and Ministries.
The framing of the Indian Constitution was a long process.
The Indian Constitution was framed by a Constituent Assembly which was set up under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. There were 389 members in the Assembly.
The first meeting of the Assembly was held on December 9, 1946. Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha was elected the Provisional President. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected its permanent Chairman on December 11, 1946.
The number of members in the Assembly was reduced to 299 due to the withdrawal of the Muslim League members after the partition of the country.
13 committees were set up by the Constituent Assembly for framing the Constitution. A draft was prepared on the basis of their reports. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the seven member Drafting Committee.
The draft of the Constitution was published in January, 1948. People were given eight months to review it. After it was discussed by the people, the press, the provincial assemblies and the Constituent Assembly and their suggestions were considered, it was adopted on November 26, 1949. It was signed by the President of the Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly completed the task in 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. The Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. This day is celebrated every year as Republic Day.
The Indian Constitution is a beautifully balanced document.
1. It is both practical and ideal. It was made keeping in mind the prevailing needs and situations. At the same time the high ideals of freedom and rights were also incorporated.
2. It took the good points from different countries and transformed them according to the socio political conditions of our society. Some people call it a patchwork, but it is a beautiful one. The parliamentary system of government was adopted which also provides an accountable government.
3. It provides a framework which is based on the separation of powers, yet paves the way for cooperative federalism.
4. It is both rigid and flexible. The Indian Constitution is both rigid and flexible because some parts of the Constitution can be amended by Simple Majority of the Parliament. For example the change in the names and boundaries of states, abolition or creation of Legislative Councils in states. While the other provisions of the Constitution can be amended by the Special Majority in both Houses of Parliament and with the Consent of more than half of the States. For example the election of President and manner of election of President, extent of executive powers of the Union and the States respectively.
5. It provides a balance between the executive, legislature and judiciary.
6. The Directive Principles provide a vision for the future.
Thus the Indian Constitution is elaborate and well planned.
The Constitution of India is the highest authority of India. The record puts down the structure establishing significant political code, construction, methods, abilities, and responsibilities of government organizations and sets out primary rights, directive principles, and the responsibilities of citizens. It is the largest written constitution of any nation on the planet.
B. R. Ambedkar, director of the drafting committee, is broadly contemplated to be its foremost originator. It allows constitutional sovereignty not political supremacy because it was designed by a constituent assembly rather than Parliament and was ratified by its people with a presentation in its preamble. Parliament cannot disregard the organization.
It was ratified by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became operative on 26 January 1950. The Constitution superseded the Government of India Act, 1935 as the country's primary regulatory record, and the Dominion of India became the Republic of India.
To assure representative autocracy, its composers canceled former actions of the British parliament in Article 395. India observes its constitution on 26 January as Republic Day.