What is constitutent assembly ?Explain any 3 guiding values of contitution?
Answers
Constitution. e can understand the overall philosophy of our Constitution by reading the preamble to the Constitution.
The dream and the promise:
Views of major leader on constitution:
Mahatma Gandhi-He had spelt out what he wanted the Constitution to do: An India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people, all communities shall live in perfect harmony, no room for untouchability or the curse of the intoxicating drinks and drugs and Women will enjoy the same rights as men.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar-who played a key role in the making of the Constitution but he often bitterly criticised Mahatma Gandhi and his vision. In his concluding speech to the Constituent Assembly he stated his anxiety very clearly. In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality.Jawaharlal Nehru- In his famous speech to the Constituent Assembly he stated that when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. Freedom and power bring responsibility. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye.Philosophy of the constitution:
Values that inspired and guided the freedom struggle and were in turn nurtured by it, formed the foundation for India’s democracy. These values are embedded in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. They guide all the articles of the The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. This is called the Preamble to the constitution. Preamble of the Indian Constitution guides all the articles of the Indian Constitution.
The Preamble of the Constitution reads like a poem on democracy. It contains the philosophy on which the entire Constitution has been built. It provides a standard to examine and evaluate any law and action of government, to find out whether it is good or bad. It is the soul of the Indian Constitution.
Let us read the Preamble of our Constitution very carefully and understand the meaning of each of its
key words.
REPUBLIC- The head of the state, the president of India is an elected person and not a hereditary position.
JUSTICE- Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender. Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged groups.
LIBERTY- There is no restrictions on the citizens in what they think, express their thoughts and follow up their thoughts in action.
EQUALITY- All is equal before the law. The government should ensure equal opportunity for all.
FRATERNITY- All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one should treat a fellow citizen as inferior.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA- The constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the people through their representatives not handed over by a king or outside powers.
SOVEREIGN- People have supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.
SOCIALIST- Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Government should reduce socio-economic inequalities.
SECULAR- Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.
DEMOCRATIC- A form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold them accountable.
Institutional design:
A constitution is not merely a statement of values and philosophy it is mainly about embodying these values into institutional arrangements such as Office of the Prime Minister, President, Judiciary etc. Much of the Constitutional rules are about these arrangements.
Indian Constitution felt that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and changes in society. Constitution makers made provisions to incorporate changes in the constitution from time to time. These changes are called constitutional amendments.