India’s Constitution, the world’s longest written document of its kind, was officially adopted on November 26, 1949, after an intense and meticulous process spanning nearly three years. Here’s a detailed account of how it came into being:
The Timeline
- Duration: 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
- Sessions: 11 sessions over 167 days of debates.
- Final Adoption: November 26, 1949.
Key Figures and Contributions
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Chaired the drafting committee and is regarded as the chief architect of the Constitution.
- BN Rau: The constitutional advisor who prepared the initial draft, later scrutinized by the drafting committee.
- Rajendra Prasad: India’s first president, was the first to sign the document.
Handcrafted Original Copy
- Calligraphy: The first edition was handwritten, not printed, by Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
- Artistic Touch: Pages were adorned by artists like Nandalal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha from Shantiniketan.
The Content
- Initial Structure: Contained 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.
- Current Status: Amended 106 times, showcasing its adaptability.
- Fundamental Rights: Discussed extensively for 16 days, forming Part III of the Constitution.
Constituent Assembly Debates
- Words Spoken: Approximately 36 lakh words.
- Clause-by-Clause Discussions: Covered over 101 days, focusing on critical parts like Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
- Leading Voices: Dr. Ambedkar contributed 2.67 lakh words, while Jawaharlal Nehru spoke 73,804 words.
Women’s Role
- Representation: 15 women were part of the Constituent Assembly, with 10 actively participating in debates.
- Notable Contributors:
- G. Durgabai: Spoke nearly 23,000 words, primarily on the judiciary.
- Hansa Mehta and Renuka Ray: Focused on justice for women.
- Dakshyani Velayudhan and Ammu Swaminathan: Participated in debates on Fundamental Rights.
Participation Dynamics
- Provincial Contributions: Members from provinces contributed 85% of the debates.
- Princely States: 64 members, with lower average participation compared to provincial representatives.
- Notable Attendees: Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu, and others.
The Venue
- Constitution Hall: Now the Central Hall of Parliament House, was elegantly prepared for the occasion, with semi-circular seating, green carpets, and electrically heated desks.
The Constitution’s formation was a monumental task, reflecting the diversity and aspirations of India while laying a robust foundation for governance. It remains a testament to the vision, dedication, and intellect of the nation’s founding leaders.
