The Indian Constitution was drafted under very difficult circumstances. The country had been controlled by Britain for about 200 years. The country had just been partitioned due to communal conflicts. A large part of country was ruled by princely states like Nizams of Hyderabad, Kingdom of Mysore etc. The country was dependent upon foreign nations even for it's basic needs like foodgrains etc 
Moreover, the British too had introduced some basic institutions of democratic rule in India. However, only certain categories of people were able to vote. British has introduced very weak legislatures . Elections were held in 1937 to legislatures and Ministries all over British India. These were not fully democratic governments . But the experience gained by Indians in the working of legislative institutions proved to be very useful for the country in setting up the own institutions and working in them. That is why the Indian constitution adopted many institutional details and procedures from colonial laws .
The Constituent Assembly
The Constitution was drafted by an assembly is called Constituent Assembly . Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946. It's first meeting was held in December 1946. With the partition of country in August 1947, the assembly was also divided into India and that of Pakistan . The Indian constituent Assembly had 299 members. The Assembly adopted the constitution on 26 November 1949 but came into effect in January 26 , 1950 so that's why celebrate it as republic day every year.
The members of Constituent Assembly were elected mainly by the members of the existing provincial legislatures formed during British rule. Some of the members were nominated by kings ruling over some parts of country. It's members came from all parts of country. The assembly was dominated by the Indian National Congress and other few parties like Ambedkar. Even though many people were of same party . Most of them held very different views on most issues. There were few women just about 15 Smt. Durgabhai Deshmukh was one of them.
First, some basic principles were decided and agreed upon : that India will be sovereign republic; that it will have several states with autonomous powers; that it will be democratic ; that it will secure justice , equality and freedom to all citizens; that it interests of minorities, tribals and depressed classes will be safeguarded;India will work for world peace and welfare of all mankind. This is called Objective resolution and it was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru the first Prime minister of India. These became the guiding principles for drafting the constitution.
Then , a drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution for discussion. Several rounds of thorough discussion, clause by clause. There were intense debates on all important provisions. There were examined from different points of view and finally decisions were taken by the majority vote. The members deliberated for 114 days spread over 3 years. Every word spoken in the Constituent Assembly has been recorded and preserved. These are called Constituent assembly debates.
Preamble of Constitution
The values that inspired and guided the freedom struggle formed the the foundation for India's democracy. These values are embedded in the Preamble of Indian Constitution which short statement of basic principles and objectives the guide all the provisions of Indian Constitution.
Preamble of Constitution
The System of Government
The constitution also provides institutional arrangements following the country in the accordance with above ideals and values.
It provides for a Parliamentary form of Government. The Parliament ,consisting of representatives of the people Makes laws.
The laws implemented by a Government formed among the members of Parliament and answerable to the parliament . The entire country is governed By the cabinet headed by the Prime minister and entire Government is headed by President.
More over India has three level democracy, at the country level they have the Parliament at state level they have assemblies ,and the district level they have local government known as Panchayat Raj system. This is to ensure that people have maximum opportunity to participate in managing public affairs of the country.
Comments
Post a Comment