Author: Dr. Kapilendra Das

INDIA, also known as BHARAT was liberated from British rule and gained Independence on August 15, 1947. So every year on 15th August we celebrate Independence Day throughout the country. The Indians felt the taste of freedom, but there were no rules and regulations to govern the country for which British rules were effective up to January 25, 1950.

To govern India, the draft constitution was prepared by the Drafting Committee which was published in January 1948, and the same was finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, the day of an important landmark in India’s journey as an independent, Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. The constitution so adopted came into force on 26 January 1950. To memorize 26 January, every year we observe Republic Day throughout India. To mark rethinking and remembrance of the day of adoption of the constitution of India, 26 November has been celebrating as “Constitution Day” (“Samvidhan Divas” or “National Law Day”).

After thirty years of November 26, 1949, the day of the adoption of the constitution  (Fundamental Law) of India, a resolution was passed by the Supreme Court Bar Association in 1979 to the effect that National Law Day should be celebrated to mark the adoption of the constitution of India on November 26. Since then, this day of November 26 has been celebrated as “National Law Day” throughout India, especially by the members of the legal fraternity to provide honor to the eminent members of the constituent Assembly and to assess the state of Law in the country as envisaged by the framers of the legal document.

The Government of India decided in May 2015 to celebrate the 125th. Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar  (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) who is popularly known as the main Architect and Father of the Indian Constitution “In a big way”. As a part of the celebration, while laying the foundation stone on Ambedkar Memorial at the Indu Mills compounds in Mumbai on October 11, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that henceforth 26 November will be celebrated throughout the Nation as “Constitution Day”. The Government of India thereupon declared 26 November as “Constitution Day” on 19 November 2015 by a national gazette notification. As such 26 November is chosen as “Constitutional Day” to spread the importance of the constitution and to spread the thoughts and ideas of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Various departments of the Government of India celebrated the first Constitution Day on 26 November 2015 as a mark of tribute to India’s first Law Minister Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who played a pivotal and vital role in the drafting of the constitution of India and to commemorate the adoption of the constitution. Since then, this day of November 26 has been celebrated as ‘Constitution Day’ throughout the nation to promote constitutional values among the citizens.

Celebrating 26th November as Constitution Day in India marks our belief in the system and the rules and regulations that govern our country. The constitution day makes us remember and rethink the values that India stands for collectively as a democratic, republic, socialist and secular country. Indian citizens adhere to the laws, rights, and principles of the constitution. A constitution if it is out of touch with the people’s life, aims, and aspirations become rather empty. So the celebration of constitution day is to promote constitutional values and create awareness among the citizens.

The constitution of India is prefaced with a preamble that reflects the essence, expectations, objectives, goals, and philosophies of the Indian Constitution. The preamble is the most precious part and soul of the constitution. Which proclaims, the solemn resolution of the people of India.

The preamble to the constitution of India runs as follows:-

” WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens-

JUSTICE, Social, Economic, and Political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship;
EQUALITY of status and opportunity.
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation, IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, this Twenty-sixth day of  November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”

The values expressed in the preamble are objectives of the constitution of India. These are Sovereignty, Secularism, Socialism, Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Human Dignity, and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Constitution Day, also known as “Samvidhan Divas”, is celebrated every year throughout the nation on the 26th. November to commemorate the adoption of the constitution of India and to honor and pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other founding members of the constitution. It is a national day for all Indians and a day for our self-analysis, understanding, rethinking, remembering, and protecting the constitution of India, and to keep it alive and maintain its stature and significance, which guides so many millions of citizens in their search for economic, social justice and political right. As a part of the celebration of Constitution Day, every citizen of India should read the preamble through which one can see the purpose that it serves namely the declaration of (I) the source of the constitution, (2) a statement of its objectives  (3) the date of its adoption.

On Constitution Day we should take the pledge to fulfill our responsibilities towards our nation and the fundamental duties to be the duty of every citizen of India.  Article 51(A) says that every citizen has been obligated to perform certain duties called fundamental duties. These are the moral obligations that promote the spirit of patriotism and the brotherhood for upholding the unity of India. These duties make a citizen of the country a responsible citizen because the citizen is the country’s ladder to development. The main aim of constitution Day is to make Indian citizens aware of constitutional values. When thousands of people of India take the pledge to fulfill their duties and responsibilities towards the nation and join hands together for the development of India, the spirit of celebration of “Constitution Day” will be fruitful.

By all means, the constitution of India contains laws concerning the Government (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary) and its relationship with people and serves as a powerful emancipation proclamation ending centuries of discrimination, and economic, political, and social exclusion for millions of people. It can be said that both the constitution and the constitution day are of great relevance to all the citizens of India even today and for the future.

“Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the sprits of Age”.    – B.R. Ambedkar

About author: Dr. Kapilendra Das, Educationalist

E.mail ID- daskapilendra2012@gmail.com