Constitution DayOf India falling on 26th November,2015) Composer: Er.H. R. Phonsa, Jammu Every year 26th November is celebrated in India as its National Constitution Day of India, also known as Samvidhan Divas from 19 November, 2015 to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution, when the Government of India decided to commemorate 26 November 1949, the date on which the Constitution was adopted. The day honours the vision of the Constituent Assembly and reinforces the role of constitutional values in shaping India’s democracy. Prior to 2015, the day was observed informally as Law Day by legal institutions. The renaming highlighted the need to recognise the Constitution’s transformative impact on India’s socio-political fabric. The celebration pays tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly for laying India’s democratic foundation.... Read more at: https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/constitution-day-of-india/ Let us re-visit in brief the tale of framing of the Indian Constitution with vision of its framers. After facing a unified action from Indian Kings to coolies in the First War of Indian Independence (Sepoy Mutiny)1857 the Britishers could judge that it was difficult for them to rule over India for too long. Indian had started to show resistant even armed rebellion to their grievances, due to Britisher’s wrong polices and actions. So, the Britishers decided to gradually extend constitutional rights to Indians under the Act of 1892. This Act laid the foundation of Parliamentary system in India and considered as the landmark in the constitutional development of India. Again in 1906 Lord Morley( Secretary of State for India)- announced in British Parliament that Britain Government intends to give more powers to Indian locals in elected bodies as agreed to by Lord Minto (Viceroy and Governor-General of India). Under Morley -- Minto Reforms 1909 (Govt. of India Act 1909) direct elections were introduced to increase the participation of Indians in government affairs. This process continued and under GOI Act 1935, on 19 September 1945, the Viceroy Lord Wavell announced that elections to the central and provincial legislatures would be held in December 1945 to January 1946, which were held in January 1946. In the election Congress won 923 (54%) and AIML 425 (46%). It was also announced that an executive council would be formed and a constitution-making body would be convened after these elections. Interim Govt. was sworn in with Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru as Prime Minister. He requested the British Prime Minister Mr. Attlee to suggest him a name of international constitutional expert who had drafted a constitution of any Asian country. Clement Attlee suggested the name of Sir Ivor Jennings and he was about to call him but preferred to seek Gandhi’s blessings. Nehru along with Dr. Sarojni Naidu went to Gandhiji seeking his blessings on the matter. Gandgi Ji disapproved their suggestion. He advised Nehru to hand over the onerous job to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and provide 5 men at his disposal who would give you a constitution for the free India. This way hurdle for Drafting free India’s Constitution was solved. Dr. Ambedkar had got elected for Provincial Assembly from Bengal, in bye election, on July 20, 1946, but was included in the Interim Government formed on 2nd September, 1946, due to Congress leadership difference with Baba Sahib. Two SC members Babu Jagjivan Ram from (Cong.) and J.N. Mandal (SCF) from AIML quotas, were included. Mr. Ram was given labour and Mandal Law Minister portfolio. So, Mandal a Namosudra became Law Minister Of united India and later Baba Saheb became First Law Minister of free India. The members to frame Constitution of free India were elected /nominated in August, 1946 under Cabinet Plan 1946. This team of 389, among them 292 were already elected in January and 93 were nominated from native (States ruled by native rulers) states and 4 from Chief Commissioner’s provinces. This team had included 73 AIML members. Due unkind blessing of hardliner and illiberal leaders, the country was partitioned and landed its habitants in worst human tragedy of twentieth century. About 14.5 million people crossed the borders. Estimates of the number of deaths vary, with low estimates at 200,000 and high estimates at 2,000,000. To rule successfully independent India ,7th biggest country of world with 3.287 million Sq kms area holding 330 million population( 1947), following 9 main religions , speaking 19500 languages and dialects. There was need to amicably decide the fate and relation with Native Princely (nearly 584) states who may decide to join Indian domain. The Native Princely States ruled 48% of united Indian area. To judicially attend to all such problems requiring solution. As such a National Rule book or “Constitution” was urgently needed to hold so big country. Jawahar Lal Nehru promised with British Primer C.R. Attlee to fame constitution in two months, but failed and decision taken to postponed freedom till 13th June, 1948. On request from Pt. J. L. Nehru Attlee suggested the name of Sir Ivor Jennings (1903-1965) a British lawyer, to frame Indian Constitution. They were reluctant to accomplish this gigantic task. When Baba Saheb Ambedkar lost elections in January 1946, the Congress leaders were jubilant and Sardar Patel is reported to have remarked that they have closed all doors, windows and even ventilators for Dr. Ambedkar to enter Parliament. The Congress exertion on this was solved on intervention of Gandhi Ji and Baba Saheb Ambedkar was selected to frame Indian Constitution. (rlkaindgarden@gmail.com). Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the first temporary chairman of the Constituent Assembly. In the process Dr. Rajinder Prasad, was appointed as president of Constitution Assembly on 11 Dec.1946. 1. With Indian Independence on 15 August,1947, first Union Cabinet was sworn in with Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru as Prime Minister. Dr Baba Saheb B.R. Ambedkar, a non congress member, became the First Law Minister of India. After Indian divide, the team for Indian Constitution Drafting was reduced from 389 to 299 (193 Hindu incl. 33 SC) including thirteen women having 01 from Scheduled Castes, named Shrimati Dakshayani Velayudhan. Later Baba Saheb Ambedkar was elected as Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee on 29 August, 1947. Dr. Ambedkar the most academically qualified person in the team who had studied 64 subjects and knew 10 Indian and foreign languages. When partition of India was decided and areas which part of Pakistan dominion. So members who opted to remain in India, despite their constitutes areas forming Pakistan Part lost to be member of Indian Constituency and Visa verse. Dr. Ambedkar’s Constituency was transferred to Pakistan on so he lost his right to be member of Constitution Drafting Committee. Now the Congress had no way out than to support and get Baba Saheb re-elected afresh from Bombay. He was re-elected on July 3, 1947. The task of framing Constitution for free India was divided into 22 Sub Committees. The constitution framing took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days and was finally adopted on 26 November, 1949. It came into force from 26 January 1950. Indian Nation spent Rs 6.4 million in framing the Constitution initially containing 395 Articles, 3 Schedules. By July 2025 our Constitution stands amended 106 times