Malcolm Rivera
The Indian Constitution, which was adopted in 1950, is considered to be the heart of the country. Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb, is widely recognised as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He was the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and was appointed by the Assembly to write India's new Constitution. Ambedkar was a renowned public figure, a social reformer, a politician, and a jurist. He was also independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bhim Rao Ambedkar (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) |
| Alternative Name | Babasaheb |
| Known For | Logical, forceful and persuasive arguments in the Constituent Assembly |
| Profession | Economist, Social Reformer, Politician, Jurist, Writer, Constitutional Scholar |
| Other Roles | Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, India's Law Minister, Union Law Portfolio in the First Cabinet of Independent India |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (posthumously) |
| Birth Anniversary | April 14 (Observed as "National Water Day" in India) |
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What You'll Learn
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's role in drafting the constitution
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, commonly known as B. R. Ambedkar, was a key figure in the drafting of India's constitution and is often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Constitution". Born on April 14, 1891, to a Dalit Mahar family, Ambedkar experienced discrimination and segregation from a young age due to his family's low caste status. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically and became a prominent social reformer and political leader.
Ambedkar's role in drafting the Indian Constitution began in 1947 when he was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. In this position, he played a pivotal part in shaping the content of the constitution, passionately advocating for individual freedom and the abolition of caste-based discrimination. Ambedkar's interventions and speeches during the constitution-making process were well-reasoned and insightful, earning him the respect and support of his fellow Assembly members.
One of Ambedkar's most notable contributions to the Indian Constitution was his successful argument for the abolition of "untouchability" and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination. Having faced humiliation and ill-treatment due to his caste, Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting against caste discrimination. He led public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources and temples to those considered "untouchables". Ambedkar also wrote and submitted "States and Minorities" to the Constituent Assembly's Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights, providing strong constitutional protection for the Scheduled Caste community.
In addition to his work on caste equality, Ambedkar was a strong advocate for women's rights. He argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and successfully won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations for women. Furthermore, Ambedkar believed in the importance of social democracy and argued that India should strive for more than just political democracy. He defended the inclusion of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Draft Constitution, viewing them as instructions regulating the power of the Legislature and Executive for peace, order, and good government.
Ambedkar also served as independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice from 1947 to 1951. In this role, he intervened in nearly every debate regarding the Draft Constitution and defended it against criticism. Despite his significant contributions, Ambedkar later expressed disapproval of the final constitution, feeling that his concerns about the potential loss of democratic freedoms had not been adequately addressed. Nevertheless, his legacy as a socio-political reformer has had a profound and lasting impact on modern India.
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The constitution's adoption in 1950
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 January 1950 and contained 395 Articles and 8 Schedules, totalling about 145,000 words. It was the longest national constitution ever adopted at the time. Each of the Articles was debated by members of the Constituent Assembly, who sat for 11 sessions and 167 days over a period of 2 years and 11 months.
The Constitution was drafted by Bhim Rao Ambedkar, also known as B. R. Ambedkar, or Dr Ambedkar, who was appointed Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1947. He was independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice. In his concluding speech in the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, Ambedkar gave credit to the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, Sir B. N. Rau, who prepared a rough draft for the consideration of the Drafting Committee.
Ambedkar was one of the ministers who argued for extensive economic and social rights for women, and he won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations. The Constitution guarantees civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination.
Ambedkar expressed his disapproval of the Constitution in 1953, saying:
> "People always keep on saying to me, 'Oh, you are the maker of the constitution.' My answer is I was a hack. What I was asked to do, I did much against my will... I am quite prepared to say that I shall be the first person to burn it out. I do not want it. It does not suit anybody."
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The influence of Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru, born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad, was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat, and statesman. He was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20th century and played a key role in the Indian nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s. Upon India's independence in 1947, Nehru became the country's first prime minister and served for 16 years.
Nehru promoted parliamentary democracy, secularism, and science and technology during the 1950s, powerfully influencing India's trajectory as a modern nation. He also advocated for children's rights and considered children the real strength of a nation and the foundation of society. His birthday is celebrated as Children's Day across India.
Nehru's influence on the Indian Constitution is a subject of debate. Some argue that he was the real architect of the Constitution, while others claim that he was a reluctant constitutionalist who was not as involved in the Constitution-making process as other leaders. However, it is undeniable that Nehru made significant contributions to the philosophical and practical foundations of the Indian Constitution.
Nehru's government amended the Constitution 17 times in the first 14 years of the republic, including the First Amendment, which added restrictions on freedom of speech and expression. He believed that constitutional rules should be guiding principles rather than binding constraints and that they should be flexible and subject to change. Nehru also played a crucial role in establishing India's independent foreign policy through its support and membership of the Non-Alignment Movement, steering the country clear of the two blocs of the Cold War.
In conclusion, Jawaharlal Nehru's influence on the Indian Constitution and the country's development as a modern nation is undeniable. His leadership, adherence to constitutional norms, and promotion of democratic values shaped India's political, social, and economic landscape during its formative years as an independent nation.
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The influence of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi's vision for the Indian Constitution was one of decentralised administration and political society, as outlined in his weekly paper, "Young India", published in English from 1919 to 1931. Gandhi advocated for a bottom-up approach, giving greater power to village Panchayat institutions, and this vision was eventually approved by the 73rd amendment. Gandhi's ideas on non-violent resistance and independence from Britain were also disseminated through "Young India".
Gandhi's influence on the Indian Constitution is also seen in his desire for a democratic India, free from Western values. He wanted to see the introduction of Swaraj, or self-rule, for all people, regardless of race or religion. This included farmers, disabled people, blind people, and starving workers.
Gandhi's name is often associated with the Indian Constitution, and he is sometimes referred to as the "'Father of the Indian Constitution'. However, this title is more commonly attributed to Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who was the chief architect of the Constitution and served as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee from 1947. Ambedkar was also independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice. Despite his influence, Ambedkar later expressed disapproval of the Constitution, stating that it did not truly belong to him, but to the Constitutional Advisor, Sir B.N. Rau, and that he would be the first person to burn it.
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The constitution's structure and content
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and is the longest written national constitution in the world. It is a set of rules and regulations that guide the administration of the country. It lays down the framework for the country's political system, defining the powers and responsibilities of government institutions, safeguarding fundamental rights, and outlining the principles of governance. It is a testament to the nation's democratic ideals and aspirations, with its roots grounded in historical struggles, philosophical ideals, and societal aspirations.
The Constitution of India has a three-tier governmental structure: central, state, and local. It establishes the central government as strong and unitary in spirit, with features of a federation, including a codified, supreme constitution, division of powers, bicameralism, and an independent judiciary. It also has unitary features such as a single constitution, single citizenship, and an integrated judiciary. The Constitution of India is structured into various parts, each dealing with a specific aspect of the country's legal, administrative, or governmental framework.
The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950, replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. It took two years, 11 months, and 17 days to write the Constitution of India. The preamble of the Indian Constitution begins with the words, "We, the people of India..." and the document consists of 20 schedules.
The Constitution of India guarantees and protects a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination. It also assures its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty and endeavours to promote fraternity. The Constitution of India is a living document that continues to evolve through amendments, interpretations, and judicial decisions to meet the changing needs and aspirations of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb.
He was the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and was appointed by the Assembly to write India's new Constitution. He was also the Law Minister at the time and introduced the final draft of the Constitution to the Constituent Assembly.
He was a social reformer who led movements against untouchability and caste discrimination. He also advocated for national economic and social development, stressing the importance of education, public hygiene, community health, and residential facilities as basic amenities.
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