The Evolution and Significance of the Indian Constitution 1200 Words

Table of Contents

It holds the richest of democratic heritage. It bears the aspirations and hopes of over a billion people for whom it becomes an anthem, and one is likely to find a sense in the Indian Constitution where many see an epitome symbol of a legal document-justifying the rights toward ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity of its citizens. This constitution’s history, in the making, will open up the country’s historical, cultural, and political struggles in attempting to evolve a vision to define the world’s largest democracy.

Historical Background

This lends the long century of socio-political development as the trajectory to be undertaken for the acceptance of the Indian Constitution. Seeds sown in constitutional governance were planted when British colonial rule was marked by a series of legislative measures aimed at administrative control. Some of the most important milestones on this trajectory are:-

The Regulating Act of 1773:-

It was the beginning point from which British parliamentary supremacy over the East India Company was established with some basic framework for a system of centralised administration.

Charter Acts of 1833 and 1853 have been included. These are the products of attempts for centralisation of Indian Government. Centralization of legislative authority came forth by the former, whilst the idea of Indian Civil Service cropped up by the latter.

Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909:-

These acts have contributed to bringing gradual Indian representations in the Legislative councils through a very restricted capacity.

Government of India Act 1919:-

Dyarchy in the Provinces. This gave Indian ministers a small degree of autonomy.

Government of India Act 1935:-

This is another step toward self-governance; this act brought up provincial autonomy, along with establishing the federation’s structure. Although it never completely acted as an enactment but surely works as a plan behind the constitution.

Cripps Mission and Quit India Movement:-

This period of World War II has especially expressed with all strength that India should be made free as soon as possible and needed.

Cabinet Mission Plan (1946):-

It presented the plan for transferring power and a new Constitutional framework.

Constituent Assembly

Under the Cabinet Mission Plan, in December 1946, Constituent Assembly of India was established by various representatives from the provinces and princely states to prepare a Constitution to meet the diversified needs of the Indian people. Here, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President, and the Drafting Committee was headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The Assembly consisted of great leaders of the country such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and many more. The diversity in this composition ensured that the constitution would give reflection to the multistranded spirit of the nation.

Drafting and Adoption

Drafting was extremely careful and true to the point. Virtually it had consumed three years; 11 sessions of Assembly, consisting of 165 days discussed every thread of article threadbare. Draft as prepared by Drafting Committee was submitted on 21 February, 1948. Constitution emerged on 26 November, 1949 and it came into force on 26 January, 1950-very day that is marked every year with Republic Day celebrations.

Important Features of Indian Constitution

This, thus stands, forms into a living document, an amendment itself keeps altering keeping pace with the new trends of the socio-political dynamics in the society. Some important salient features are mentioned below:-

Length and Detail:-

The constitution is one of the largest in the world, being comprised of 448 articles and 12 schedules of full-bodied writing relating almost every field of governance or rights.

Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, and Democratic Republic:-

These are the cardinal features enunciated in the Preamble of the Constitution and have been found to speak for the country’s commitment to these features.

Basic Rights and Duties:-

Part III talks of human rights as being fundamental rights whereas Part IV-A lists down the fundamental duties of citizenship.

Directive Principles of State Policy:-

These are how policies need to be performed on guidelines by the state keeping socio-economic justice in practice.

Federal System with a touch of Unitary:-

As much as it introduces its constitution with the federation of states, central governance dominates at different times.

Independent Judiciary:-

It is the savior of the Constitution. It is the check in the system.

Parliament of India:-

It has framed an India Constitution from the British Model.

Flexibility and rigidity:-

This process helps in balancing between flexibilities and rigidity while the amendment procedure enables constitution to grow along with very strong root. Indian Constitution Importance

The Indian Constitution is not just a legal document but forms the bedrock of India’s democratic identity and governance. It has the following importance:

It grants fundamental rights to the citizen, safeguards them against the arbitrary actions of the State; provides unity in diversity with a constitution that ensures cultural, linguistic, and religious differences are not allowed in a land like India, to lead to unharmonious coexistence with social justice by reducing the socio-economic distances through such measures as reservations for the economically backward communities.

Adaptive to Change:-

Provisions for amendments ensure that the constitution is always updated with changing problems.

Guiding the Administration: The Constitution works out effectively by defining power and functions of different governmental organs.

Evolution through Amendments

The Constitution has been amended thousands of times since its adoption to suit the emergent needs and challenges. Some of the major amendments include:-

First Amendment, 1951:-

The special right to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and economically backward classes was given to the state.

Fortieth Amendment, 1976:-

The words “Socialist” and “Secular” were incorporated in the Preamble and Directive Principles received greater prominence.

Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Amendments, 1992:-

Local self-governance was consolidated by establishing Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

One Hundred and First Amendment (2016):-

Include Goods and Services Tax to assimilate the indirect tax structure of the country.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Indian Constitution has been confronted by many challenges but the long journey for it is yet not over.

Judicial Activism vs. Overreach:-

The balance between judicial review and overreach remains contentious.

Centre-State Relations:-

This is a strain to the federalism often in the case of centre-state relations.

Social Inequalities:-

The provisions for complete social justice remain incomplete under the constitution.

Democratic Accountability:-

Problem of transparency and accountability of the governance yet to be solved.

All these have to be met in the process, in consonance with the spirit of the Constitution and with dialogue all-around growth.

Conclusion

It in itself, portrays the hope and aspirations of millions. Source of hope and growth, progress that it represents indicates that this great nation has enough resilience and capacity to adapt whatever comes its way. Further leadership of life by this constitution will make India an even more vibrant democracy in upholding justice, liberty, and equality to all citizens.

Also Read:- Indian Constitution Amendments: Evolution of a Vibrant Democracy 1200 Words