Hi friends,
In this blog let us discuss the making of the Indian Constitution.
Demand for the Indian Constitution:
In 1934, M N Roy suggested the idea of the constitute assembly
In 1935, the Indian National Congress demanded the constituent assembly
In 1938, Jawaharlal Nehru informed that constitute assembly is to be framed without any outside interference with the adult franchise.
In 1940, August offer
In 1942, Stanford Cripps drafted a proposal that was rejected by the Muslim league in demand for the partition of India and Pakistan.
Composition of constituent assembly:
In November 1946, by cabinet mission plan.
Total 389 - 296 British India( 292 are from 11 governor provinces and 4 chief commissioner provinces, 93 are princely states.
One seat for 10 lakh(1 Million)
Three communities - Muslims, sikhs and general
Proportional representation using a single transferable vote.
For princely states - Head
Election held July- August 1946, INC - 208 seats, Muslim league- 73, Others- 15
Working of the constituent assembly:
The first meeting was held on December 9, 1946
Muslim league boycotted the demand for partition of Pakistan.
211 members attended.
Dr Sachidanand Sinha is the temporary president based on French practice.
Dr Rajendra Prasad is the permanent president.
V T Krishnamachari, HC Mukherjee are the vice presidents.
Objectives Resolution:
December 13, 1946 - January 22, 1947
Independent sovereign republic
India shall be the union of territories(States)
Territories retain autonomous except such powers to the union
Power and authority are derived from the people.
Safeguard for minorities, backward and tribal areas.
Guaranteed and secured to people
The integrity of the territory, world peace and welfare of mankind.
Changes by the Independence Act:
Princely state representative and Muslim league members joined the assembly
Three changes in the position of the assembly
Assembly can change any Constitution, abrogate or alter any law.
Two separate functions were assigned to assembly until November 26, 1949
1. constituent body- chaired by Dr Rajendra Prasad
2. Legislative body- chaired by G V Mavlankar
Muslim league members withdrew from the Assembly for India.
Total strength came down to 299 from 389.
Indian provinces 296 to 229, princely states 93 to 70.
Other functions performed:
India's membership of the commonwealth - May 1949
Adopted national flag on July 22, 1947
Adopted national them and song on January 24, 1950
Elected Dr Rajendra Prasad as 1st president of India on January 24, 1950
Assembly had 11 sessions - 2 years 11 months 18 days
Referred 60 countries Constitutions, Expenditure -64 lakhs.
Draft Constitution considered for 114 days.
Committees of the constituent assembly:
Differentntntnt task of constitution-making,
8 major committees and 13 minor committees.
DRAFTING COMMITTEE:
Set up on August 29, 1947
Seven members are headed by the B R Ambedkar.
First draft - February 1948
Public comments, criticisms, suggestions for Eight months
Second draft- October 1948
Less than 6 months for draft 141 days
Followed by these, there are enactments in which first reading, second reading, third reading has been done before passing the Constitution.
Enforcement of the Constitution came on January 26, 1950.
Criticism has been there stating many reasons like
Not a representative body, sovereign body, time-consuming, dominated by the congress, lawyer and politician domination, dominated by the Hindus.
Thank you for reading. Have a good day.
