26th Nov, Constitution Day of India: Its History, Importance & Significance

Indian Constitution Day, also known as "Samvidhan Divas," is observed on November 26, 2023. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of the Indian Constitution and the contributions made by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the man who drafted it. This momentous day honors the Constituent Assembly of India's 1949 adoption of the Indian Constitution, which became operative on January 26, 1950. The day is very important for educating people about the importance of the constitution and its main drafter, Dr. B.R. Ambedak. It also serves to promote constitutional values among citizens.

The Constitution, which was drafted over a period of two years, eleven months and eighteen days under the direction of Dr. BR Ambedkar, represents India's total independence from British rule. The date of the constitution's adoption, January 26, 1930, was selected because it was the same day that the Indian National Congress declared its complete independence.

Constitution Day of India: History

The Constituent Assembly of India, consisting of 299 elected members, played a crucial role in shaping the nation's destiny after gaining independence. The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and went into effect on January 26, 1950. The drafting committee, led by B.R. Ambedkar, meticulously crafted the constitution, reflecting the diverse ethos of the nation. The 13-member Assembly committee included  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar-led drafting committee that took nearly three years to finish. The Indian Constitution, with 395 articles, 22 parts, and 12 schedules, is the world's longest-written constitution. It was handwritten and calligraphed in both Hindi and English, with artists from Shantiniketan, under the guidance of Acharya Nandalal Bose.

In India, this day was observed as Law Day until 2015. In 2015, the Union government proclaimed November 26 as Constitution Day to commemorate B.R. Ambedkar's 125th birthday. The principal aim was to promote a better comprehension of the guiding principles of the country by motivating citizens to respect and adhere to the constitutional values in their day-to-day lives.

Constitution Day of India: Significance

In 2015, the Indian government celebrated the 125th anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar's birth, who is known as the father of the Indian constitution. A special committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formed to organize year-long celebrations, with various ministries and departments planning programs to spread Ambedkar's ideas. In October 2015, Prime Minister Modi declared 26 November as "Constitution Day" in Mumbai's Indu Mills compounds, marking the foundational document that guides the world's largest democracy. The day is a reminder of the meticulous efforts made to form this living document, which continues to shape the nation's destiny.

Constitution Day of India: Importance

1. Promotes Constitutional Literacy: Constitution Day serves to promote understanding and awareness about the Indian Constitution - the longest written constitution in the world. This enables citizens to learn their rights and responsibilities.
2. Celebrates a Landmark Document: The day celebrates the framing and signing of this vital, visionary document that lays the foundation of an independent, democratic India. It recognizes the Constitution's role in guiding the country.
3. Commemorates Shared Achievement: The day commemorates the shared achievement of people from all sections of society who came together to draft the constitution after long deliberations and debates.
4. Strengthens Constitutional Ideals: The celebrations reinforce the Constitution's timeless values and ideals like justice, liberty, equality and fraternity which are crucial to the functioning of the nation.
5. Upholds Sovereignty: Celebrating Constitution Day reiterates national sovereignty, since the constitution turned India from a colony governed by foreign powers into an independent, self-governing republic.

Role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in: Constitution Making

1. Chairman of the Drafting Committee: He was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee set up by the Constituent Assembly to draft the Constitution of independent India.
2. Key Architect and Draftsman: He is considered the chief architect and key draftsman of the Indian Constitution. He studied constitutions of other nations and incorporated the best practices suiting India's needs.
3. Incorporated Socio-Economic Justice: As an economist and social reformer, he strived to secure social, economic and political justice for all citizens, especially depressed classes through constitutional means.
4. Insertion of Fundamental Rights: He played a pivotal role in the insertion of a separate chapter on Fundamental Rights in the Constitution to guarantee civil liberties.
5. Reservation for Marginalized Sections: He inserted constitutional provisions for reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and creation of the backward classes commission to uplift oppressed sections.
6. Guiding Visionary Principles: He helped lay down the Constitution's guiding ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity along with sovereignty, socialism and secularism.