The Authority of a Constitution
The Indian Constitution was crafted by the Constituent Assembly, which convened its first session on December 9, 1946, and reconvened as the Constituent Assembly for divided India on August 14, 1947. Its members were elected indirectly by members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies established under the Government of India Act, 1935. The composition of the Constituent Assembly roughly followed the plan proposed by the British Cabinet Mission.
According to this plan:
- Each Province and Princely State or group of States were allocated seats based on their respective populations, roughly in a ratio of 1:10,00,000. Provinces under direct British rule were to elect 292 members, while Princely States were allotted a minimum of 93 seats.
- Seats in each Province were distributed among the main communities (Muslims, Sikhs, and general) in proportion to their populations.
- Members of each community in the Provincial Legislative Assembly elected their representatives using the method of proportional representation with single transferable vote.
- The method of selecting representatives from Princely States was to be determined through consultation.
The vision behind this process was to not only establish political democracy but also to ensure social democracy. Social democracy, as articulated by leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, emphasized the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity as fundamental to the Indian way of life. These principles were seen as interconnected and essential for the success of democracy. Liberty could not exist without equality, and vice versa. Similarly, without fraternity, liberty and equality would not naturally flourish, as they are all interconnected and essential for a thriving democratic society.
Class 11 Polity Chapter 1: The Authority of a Constitution
In understanding the role and significance of a constitution within a society, several crucial questions emerge, ranging from its definition to its effectiveness and inherent justice. This article delves into these inquiries, elucidating the essence of a constitution and its impact on the lives of individuals.