Samvidhaan - Episode 1/10

Summary

The script narrates the intricate journey of drafting India's Constitution, symbolizing the nation's identity and unity in diversity. It traces the efforts from the 1857 War of Independence to the Constituent Assembly's formation, highlighting key figures like Nehru and Gandhi. The document's creation was not just legislative but a vision for a new society, overcoming communal divides and political standoffs, ultimately shaping India's democratic framework.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Constitution of India is a highly significant document, symbolizing the nation's identity and serving as a guide for self-improvement.
• 🌐 The Indian subcontinent's diversity in languages, religions, and cultures defies narrow definitions of a nation, highlighting the need for inclusive governance.
• 🛠️ The creation of the Constitution was a transformative process, breaking away from old norms and envisioning a new society and nation.
• 🎨 The Constitution's design was influenced by Indian history, mythology, and legend, with contributions from artists like Nandalal Bose and calligraphers like Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
• 📚 The drafting process was extensive, taking three years and involving the collective effort and imagination of the Constituent Assembly.
• 🔥 The 1857 War of Independence sparked early attempts to draft a constitution, setting the stage for India's quest for self-governance.
• 📖 The 'Nehru Report' in 1928 and subsequent efforts by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru laid the groundwork for India's Constitution, emphasizing the importance of self-rule.
• ⚖️ The Government of India Act of 1935 fell short of Indian demands and contributed to tensions between political factions, highlighting the urgency for a homegrown Constitution.
• 🤝 The Cabinet Mission's efforts in 1946, though initially unsuccessful, eventually led to the formation of an interim government and the convening of India's first Constituent Assembly.
• 🚨 Direct Action Day on 16th August 1946 resulted in widespread violence, underscoring the need for a unified and stable government to prevent further unrest.
• 🏛️ The Constituent Assembly's first session on 9th December 1946 marked a historic milestone, with elected members from various regions working towards shaping India's future Constitution, despite the absence of key figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jinnah.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Constitution of India in the context of the nation's identity?

The Constitution of India is a symbol of the nation, representing its identity and serving as a mirror that reflects who the people are and how they can improve themselves. It embodies the vision of a new nation and society, breaking away from old norms.

How does the script describe the challenge of defining a 'nation' in the context of India's diversity?

The script highlights that traditional definitions of a nation based on a single race, religion, language, or law do not apply to India due to its immense diversity in languages, religions, cultures, and races. India's nationhood transcends these narrow definitions.

What role did Nandalal Bose and other artists play in the creation of the Constitution of India?

Nandalal Bose, a famous painter from Shantiniketan, along with several other artists, used Indian history, mythology, and legend to design and decorate the Constitution of India. Prem Behari Narain Raizada's calligraphy adorned the text, adding to the artistic beauty of the document.

What was the 'Nehru Report' or 'Swaraj Samvidhaan' and who prepared it?

The 'Nehru Report' or 'Swaraj Samvidhaan' was a report prepared by Pandit Motilal Nehru in 1928. It was an early attempt to outline a constitution for a free India, reflecting the growing demand for self-governance during the freedom movement.

How did the British Government's 1935 Act impact the relationship between the Congress and the Muslim League?

The 1935 Government of India Act fell short of the Indian demand for self-rule and increased tensions between the Congress and the Muslim League. It was seen as an attempt by the British to prolong their rule rather than genuinely addressing the aspirations for independence.

What was the purpose of the Cabinet Mission and what was its outcome?

The Cabinet Mission, a group of three cabinet ministers from His Majesty's government, arrived in India to prepare the framework for a draft constitution and accommodate the demands of the Muslim League. However, the mission was largely unsuccessful, leading to increased communal tensions and a failure to reach a consensus on the structure of the Constituent Assembly.

What was the significance of the Direct Action Day called by Jinnah on 16th August 1946?

The Direct Action Day called by Jinnah on 16th August 1946 marked a dark day in Indian history, with armed gangs causing havoc in Calcutta, leading to widespread violence, murder, and arson. This event highlighted the deep communal divisions and the urgency for a unified approach to nation-building.

Why did the Muslim League decide to boycott the Constituent Assembly?

The Muslim League, led by Jinnah, boycotted the Constituent Assembly because they disagreed with the idea of a single Constituent Assembly for the entire nation. They believed in the need for separate assemblies for different regions, particularly those with Muslim majorities.

What was the 'Aims and Objectives Resolution' presented by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to the Constituent Assembly?

The 'Aims and Objectives Resolution' presented by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 13th December 1946 laid the foundation for the Constitution of India. It outlined the principles and goals for the new nation, including independence, unity, sovereignty, equality, and fundamental rights for all citizens.

How did Mahatma Gandhi's absence impact the Constituent Assembly, and what guidance did he offer?

Although Mahatma Gandhi was not physically present in the Constituent Assembly, his spirit and ideals were deeply felt. He offered a talisman to the members, urging them to consider the impact of their decisions on the poorest and weakest members of society, ensuring that the Constitution would lead to 'Swaraj' for all.

What challenges did the Constituent Assembly face in the process of drafting the Constitution?

The Constituent Assembly faced numerous challenges, including questioning the validity of the Assembly itself, the absence of key figures like Jinnah and Gandhi, and the need to navigate deep-rooted communal divisions and political disagreements to create a Constitution that would unify the diverse nation.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to the Indian Constitution

The script opens with a tribute to the Constitution of India, an original copy from a limited edition of 1000, symbolizing the nation's identity. It emphasizes the Constitution's significance beyond a mere document, as it represents the collective effort of the Constituent Assembly over three years. The narration challenges the traditional definition of a nation and highlights India's diversity, suggesting that the Indian subcontinent transcends narrow categorizations. The script sets the stage for an exploration of the Constitution's creation, its creators, and its purpose.

05:09

🎨 The Artistry and Vision of the Constitution

This paragraph delves into the artistic and creative process behind the Constitution's design, led by Nandalal Bose and other artists who drew from Indian history and mythology. The calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada is also mentioned. However, the true effort lies in the three-year journey to shape the Constitution, which was not just about creating a document but envisioning a new nation and society. The narrative traces the historical roots of the Constitution back to the 1857 War of Independence and the subsequent freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. It discusses the 'Nehru Report' of 1928, the 1935 Government of India Act, and the role of Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru in preparing a draft constitution, leading up to the British acceptance of the need for an Indian Constitution after World War II.

11:16

🌐 The Cabinet Mission and Political Tensions

The script describes the political negotiations and tensions during the formation of India's Constitution, focusing on the Cabinet Mission and the Shimla meetings. It highlights the key political figures involved, such as Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan from the Congress, and Mr. Jinnah from the Muslim League. The disagreements over separate Constituent Assemblies for different regions and the representation of various communities are discussed. The paragraph also touches on the British strategy to leave power to a loose confederation and the subsequent communal violence that erupted, particularly the 1946 Calcutta riots.

17:28

🗣️ Debates Over Representation and Unity

This paragraph captures the intense debates and disagreements over the representation in the Constituent Assembly and the unity of India. It portrays the struggle between the Congress and the Muslim League, with Jinnah's demand for separate laws and the Congress's refusal to divide the nation. The narrative includes the discussions around the Cabinet Mission's proposals, the interim government, and the personal convictions and dilemmas of leaders like Gandhi, who opposed any compromise on the inclusion of Muslim representatives.

22:45

🏛️ The Formation of the Interim Government and its Challenges

The script details the formation of the interim government and the challenges it faced, including the communal violence and the political maneuvering of leaders like Jinnah and Nehru. It discusses the efforts of the Cabinet Mission, the ultimatum given by Nehru to the British, and the subsequent convening of India's first Constituent Assembly. The paragraph also highlights the absence of the Muslim League from the Assembly and the symbolic presence of Gandhi, despite his physical absence.

27:51

🕊️ Gandhi's Influence and the Assembly's Inauguration

This paragraph focuses on the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on the Constituent Assembly, even in his absence. It describes the visit of Assembly members to Gandhi for his blessings and the guidance he provided, emphasizing the importance of considering the impact of their decisions on the poorest and weakest members of society. The paragraph also covers the election of Dr. Sachidanand Sinha as the Interim President and Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly.

32:54

📝 Nehru's Aims and Objectives Resolution

The script recounts the presentation of the Aims and Objectives Resolution by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, which laid the foundation for the Constitution. It outlines the eight main points covered in the resolution, ranging from India's independence and unity to the fundamental rights of citizens. The paragraph also acknowledges the absence of certain representatives and Gandhi, highlighting the spirit of unity and the collective effort to create a new Constitution for India.

37:58

🚧 Overcoming Obstacles in Constitution Making

The final paragraph sets the stage for the challenges that lay ahead in the process of creating the Constitution. It teases the story of how the Constitution makers would navigate and overcome the numerous hurdles they would face, without providing specific details of these obstacles or the solutions they implemented.

Keywords

💡Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document that lays out the framework of the government of India, establishing its fundamental principles, procedures, powers, and duties. In the video's narrative, it symbolizes the nation's identity and the culmination of years of effort by the Constituent Assembly. It is the cornerstone of India's democracy and the guiding document for its governance, as highlighted when the speaker presents it to the audience.

💡Nation

A nation refers to a large group of people who share a common culture, history, or language, often living in a defined territory and possessing its own government. In the context of the video, the concept of a nation is explored in relation to India's diversity, challenging the traditional definition by acknowledging the multitude of languages, religions, and cultures that coexist within the country, thus forming a unique and inclusive national identity.

💡Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly refers to the body of elected representatives responsible for drafting a new constitution for a country. In the video, the Constituent Assembly of India is depicted as a diverse and dedicated group that worked tirelessly for three years to create a constitution that would shape the future of the nation, reflecting the collective aspirations and values of its people.

💡Nehru Report

The 'Nehru Report' or 'Swaraj Samvidhaan' is a historical document prepared by Pandit Motilal Nehru in 1928, which proposed a dominion status for India within the British Empire and outlined the structure of a future Indian constitution. In the video, it is mentioned as an early attempt to articulate the aspirations for an independent India and its own constitution, setting the stage for the eventual creation of the Constitution of India.

💡Independence

Independence, in the context of the video, signifies the state of being free from colonial rule and having the autonomy to govern oneself. It is a central theme of the video, as it discusses the struggle for India's independence and the subsequent creation of its constitution. The script emphasizes that true independence comes from electing one's own representatives and making one's own laws, as opposed to mere changes in colonial governance.

💡Government of India Act 1935

The Government of India Act 1935 was a British law that established a system of governance in India, which was a step towards self-rule but fell short of full independence. In the video, this act is mentioned as a source of tension between the Congress and the Muslim League, highlighting the complexities and divisions that existed during the struggle for independence and the drafting of the constitution.

💡Cabinet Mission

The Cabinet Mission refers to a delegation of British cabinet ministers sent to India in 1946 to discuss and plan for the transfer of power from British rule to Indian governance. In the video, the mission's efforts are depicted as ultimately unsuccessful, leading to further negotiations and the eventual formation of the Constituent Assembly without the participation of the Muslim League.

💡Direct Action

Direct Action, as mentioned in the video, refers to a call made by Jinnah for the Muslim League to take decisive measures to achieve their goals, which in historical context led to the violent events of the Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946. This term is significant in the video as it marks a turning point in the political struggle and the communal tensions leading up to the partition of India.

💡Interim Government

The Interim Government of India was a temporary administration formed in 1946, prior to the official independence of India, which included members from various political parties. In the video, the formation of the interim government is shown as a critical step in the transition to independence, although it was fraught with instability and crises.

💡Aims and Objectives Resolution

The Aims and Objectives Resolution was a document presented by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to the Constituent Assembly on December 13, 1946, outlining the fundamental principles and goals that would guide the drafting of the Indian Constitution. In the video, this resolution is highlighted as the foundation of the Constitution, covering key areas such as independence, unity, equality, and fundamental rights.

💡Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that every citizen of a country is entitled to, often enshrined in the constitution. In the video, these rights are discussed as an integral part of the new Indian Constitution, reflecting the aspirations for a just and equitable society where all citizens are treated equally before the law.

Highlights

Introduction of the original copy of the Constitution of India, one of 1000 made for Constituent Assembly members.

The Constitution as a symbol of the nation, beyond traditional definitions of a nation based on race, religion, language, etc.

The Indian subcontinent's diversity challenging the idea of a homogenous nation.

The Constitution as a tool for breaking old norms and moving society forward.

The Constitution's creation as a collective effort involving labor, imagination, and vision for a new nation.

Historical context starting from the 1857 War of Independence and early attempts to draft a constitution.

The 'Nehru Report' of 1928 as a precursor to the Constitution, prepared by Pandit Motilal Nehru.

Jawaharlal Nehru's articulation of the need for an independent Constituent Assembly to draft India's Constitution.

The 1935 Government of India Act's shortcomings and its impact on tensions between Congress and the Muslim League.

Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru's consultation with all parties to prepare a draft constitution framework during World War II.

The British realization of their inability to rule India post-World War II and the initiation of constitution-making efforts.

The Cabinet Mission and its negotiations in Shimla, including the involvement of key political figures.

Jinnah's demand for separate Constituent Assemblies and the Congress's refusal, highlighting communal tensions.

The failure of the Cabinet Mission and the subsequent resolution of June 16, 1946, leading to the formation of the interim government.

Gandhiji's role in preventing division and his emphasis on unity despite Jinnah's separatist stance.

The Direct Action Day called by Jinnah leading to the Calcutta riots of 1946 and the ensuing violence.

Formation of the interim government with Nehru as Vice President and Patel as Home Minister, despite Jinnah's initial ridicule.

The convening of India's first Constituent Assembly on December 9, 1946, without the participation of the Muslim League.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad's election as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly and his moving speech.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's presentation of the Aims and Objectives Resolution, outlining the foundation of India's Constitution.

Nehru's acknowledgment of absent key figures like Mahatma Gandhi and the importance of their ideals in the constitution-making process.

Gandhi's talisman for the Assembly members to consider the impact of their decisions on the poorest and weakest.

Jinnah's questioning of the Constituent Assembly's validity and the challenges faced by the Constitution makers.

Transcripts

We have here, ladies and gentlemen,

an original copy of the Constitution of India.

One of a 1000 made specially...

...for the members of the Constituent Assembly.

who toiled day and night for 3 years to complete this book.

I present to you the Constitution of India!

This is no ordinary book. It is a symbol of our nation.

But have you ever wondered what exactly is a nation?

Social scientists say that people of one race, one religion, one language,

one flag and following one law constitutes a nation.

But the Indian subcontinent with with its many languages, religions, cultures and races

cannot be fixed into narrow definitions.

Such a nation and society needs to break old norms

to unitedly move forward. It cannot do so by following ancient rules.

And so our forbears created our Constitution, our identity.

This is the mirror that shows who we are and how we can improve ourselves.

From today, I will take you on a tour of this magical world.

How was it created, when was it made, who made it and why.

Let us go there, where the story of our Constitution begins.

let's look at that sacred book which we will study.

Led by Shantiniketan's famous painter Nandalal Bose,

several artists used Indian history, mythology and legend

to design and decorate this book.

And Prem Behari Narain Raizada's calligraphy adorned the text.

But their painstaking effort pales in comparison

to the three years of labour and imagination needed

to actually shape our Constitution.

Because that was not just the act of creating a book.

It was the visualisation of a new nation, a new society.

Of such a civilization that was never seen before in this world.

In December 1946, when the Constitution formally started to take shape

had actually begun much earlier.

The revolutionaries of the 1857 War of Independence,

had attempted to write their own Constitution.

Though their revolt was crushed early

but the dream to make a constitution for a free nation

was neither crushed, nor lost.

As the freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi gathered force,

the demand for our own Constitution became more vocal.

Now, under the leadership of Gandhiji,

history had once again given us a chance to shape a new India.

Congress leader and exemplary lawyer, Pandit Motilal Nehru

in 1928 prepared a report that came to be known as the 'Nehru Report'

or 'Swaraj Samvidhaan'.

After him, when his son Jawahar became a leader of the Congress

the young leader clearly articulated the dream of India's Constitution

Freedom is never granted.

Independence comes not by changing a clause of some law.

By naming this a new form of government,

the British aim to prolong their rule.

Real Independence will come

when we elect our own Constituent Assembly

and think about our own Constitution

decide our own laws, make our own constitution.

Due to persistent demand, the British in 1935 enacted

the Government of India Act.

This Act was not only woefully short of the Indian demand for self-rule,

but it also increased tensions

between Congress and the Muslim League.

Later, during World War II, in 1945, Dr. Tej Bahadur Sapru

consulted all parties to prepare the framework for a draft constitution.

With the losses of World War II

and the shock of Azad Hind Fauj and Quit India movement

the British lost all hopes of ruling India forever.

Winston Churchill won the war, but lost the elections.

The new British Prime Minister Clement Attlee said

that the work of making a Constitution for India and

accomodating demands of the Muslim League.

would begin immediately.

Under this, for the first time, a group of 3 cabinet ministers

of His Majesty's government, arrived in India.

And this came to be called - The Cabinet Mission.

The Shimla sittings were held in the Viceregal Lodge,

where leading Indian political figures had assembled.

The Congress sent its President Maulana Azad

along with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

The Muslim League fielded Mr Jinnah along with

Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Nishtar and Nawab Ismail Khan.

Others represented the Sikhs, Parsees, Christians and Dalits.

And representing the many princely states of India,

was Bhopal's Nawab Mohammad Hamidullah

who in those days was the Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes.

Jinnah Sahib resented the fact that the Congress,

according to him a Hindu party,

was represented equally by Muslims

including their President.

In such a situation, the cool hill-station of Shimla, was bound to turn hot.

Jinnah Saheb wanted for Assam and Bengal in the east,

and the four Muslim majority provinces in the west,

to have their own separate Constituent Assemblies.

The rest of the country could then have theirs.

The native states could decide who they wanted to join,

or whether they wanted to remain independent.

The Congress flatly refused the idea of several constitutions.

But Jinnah my brother,

have we ever had different laws for Hindus and Muslims?

Where is the need for two different laws now?

And who says you are the sole representative of the Muslims?

Brother, we too are Muslims.

Right, Maulana?

The bitter truth was that

the British - well aware of their depleting military might,

had no desire to douse the communal fire.

And before leaving they wanted to turn power over to

a loose confederation, preferably British controlled.

Such an agreement was proposed on 16th May, 1946.

Bapu,

here's the working Committee's resolution against Jinnah's groupings.

We cannot let our country be divided.

Whatever the wrongs of British rule,

the Cabinet Mission has done their duty

and are eager to get off our backs.

Now it is upto us to turn this sad, unfortunate land

into a happy and fortunate one.

All in all, the Cabinet Mission was a failure.

Not wishing to return empty-handed,

they began another round of talks,

and a month of effort resulted in the resolution of 16th June, 1946.

If we do not accept the Cabinet Mission's

proposal of joining the interim government,

not only will we be left out

but it is possible that they will send us back to jail.

Hence it is better that we accept their small demand

that we will have no Muslim member in the cabinet list.

Are you making a plan to remove your own name, Maulana?

Sardar, the nation is bigger than any individual or religious group.

I understand what Maulana is saying.

If we lose this chance to join the government

then the League and Mr Jinnah will take undue advantage.

Bapu, what is your opinion?

I don't know anything about advantage or disadvantage.

I speak as my conscience dictates.

I believe that fearing Jinnah,

or in a hurry to join the government,

if we leave out names of our Muslim brothers from the list

then how are we different from them?

Jinnah Sahib may represent only Muslims...

But, are you leaders only of the Hindus?

You're right, Bapu.

But, Cripps and his people are not willing to wait.

And to join the government

even if we have to remove the names of Muslims from the cabinet,

What difference does it make?

It makes a difference to me.

And I am not willing to have any links with such a party.

If you people are so eager to rule then make your government.

But I will leave Delhi.

Bapu we understand you.

But if at this moment we do not give them our immediate reply,

the chance will be lost.

If this is what all of you have decided,

then I admit defeat.

I don't trust the motive of the British here.

But I have no proof to back my suspicions either.

If you permit,

I would like to leave..

Are we to let Bapu leave?

Pyarelal!

And so a new Constitution was agreed upon.

It was also agreed that despite Mr. Jinnah's suggestions

there was to be only one Constituent Assembly

to decide the future of the Indian nation.

Obviously, no one was entirely pleased at this arrangement.

But for Jinnah it was as if lightning had struck,

and he was not one to forgive and forget.

But Qaid-e-Azam, will our Direct Action be non-violent?

And as you know, I am no believer in the non-violence of Mr. Gandhi.

Two months of parleys suddenly ended.

The Cabinet Mission went back as

menacing clouds rose on the horizon.

Viceroy Wavell ordered all Provincial Governors

to keep the police ready.

But Bengal's Governor Sir Frederick Barrows informed Wavell

that the Muslim League Prime Minister H.S. Suhrawardy

had declared 16th of August a police holiday.

16th August 1946 was to be a black day in our history.

Answering Jinnah's call, right from the morning of 16th August,

armed gangs wrecked havoc on the streets of Calcutta.

Counter-violence followed and for three days rioters ruled the city.

The police remained on leave.

The army with their Dragon tanks sat quietly in their barracks

and murder, violence and arson continued on the street.

More than 4000 people were killed in three days.

The violence spread to Bihar and beyond.

Even Bombay was affected.

But the cycle of violence in Noakhali of East Bengal stunned everyone.

Leaving everything behind, Gandhiji rushed to Noakhali.

Wavell believed that only a government made of Indians,

could prevent this civil-war like situation.

So Pandit Nehru accepted the position of Vice President

and Sardar Patel the Home Minister in the interim government.

At first Jinnah ridiculed the new arrangement,

but on 15th October he allowed Liaquat Ali Khan

to become the Minister of Finance.

Jinnah kept himself out as he did not wish

to play second-fiddle to Nehru.

Thus the interim government was formed, but was unstable

and wobbled from crisis to crisis.

Gandhiji had already warned Viceroy Wavell of this danger.

Wavell, now thoroughly frustrated, wrote to King George…

Colder than the icy winter of London in December, 1946

was the stand-off between Mr Jinnah and Padit Nehru.

When many meetings failed to produce any result,

Nehru gave the British an ultimatum, in their own lair.

Afraid of 'mass action' His Majesty's Government hastily agreed.

Within 3 days of Nehru's return,

India's first Constituent Assembly was convened.

On the historic day of 9th December 1946, in this very building,

for the first time gathered, India's Constituent Assembly.

Each region sent elected members from their provincial assemblies.

The Muslim League, as expected, had decided to boycott it completely.

To give India a new form, to give shape to a new Constitution,

important figures from all over were present in the Constituent Assembly.

Except two people

and perhaps the two most important people -

Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi.

Many members of the Assembly

went to Gandhiji to seek his blessings and guidance.

Come Jagjivan babu. I know…

Even if we make the world's finest Constitution

it will prove worthless without people who can implement it.

Bapu, I am sure we don’t have shortage of good men and women

to work our new Constitution.

We have come here to seek your blessings.

Bapu's blessings are always with you.

But today I will give you a talisman

which maybe of help to you.

A talisman?

I thought you had no faith in superstitions!

I have absolute faith in this one.

Whenever you are in doubt,

apply the following test:

recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man you have seen

and ask yourself if the step you contemplate

is going to be of any use to him.

Will he gain anything by it?

Will it restore him to the control over his own life and destiny?

In other words...

will it lead to Swaraj for the hungry and starving millions?

Then you will find your doubts melt away.

The Constituent Assembly chose the senior-most member,

Dr. Sachidanand Sinha as the Interim President.

Under his watch, the members took oath.

Then Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President.

Sisters and brothers, if I may be forgiven, I would like to say that

in our nation divided by caste and creed,

you have, by electing me, made me an outcast.

Depriving me of a seat among you,

you have compelled me to sit on a different chair.

And it does not end there.

Perhaps every single one of you also expects that

I will be free of bias towards any party or community.

His speech, first in Hindi and then in English, moved everyone.

On the historic day of 13th December, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

presented before the Constituent Assembly a document

that was to lay the foundation of our Constitution

And this was - the Aims and Objectives Resolution.

From India's independence, unity and sovereignty

to equality and fundamental rights of citizens in new India,

Pandit Nehru's proposal covered many subjects.

Eight main points were covered in the resolution by him.

And using a few words, he drew the map of our future Constitution.

But he too regretted the absence of some people in the Assembly.

Today, in this Assembly, we miss many people.

We would have liked if representatives from the remaining

areas, provinces, and princely states would have joined us.

There is another person who isn't present here

but who is in the hearts and minds of many of us today -

the great leader of our people,

the Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi!

His hard work and dedication has made this Assembly possible.

Bapu isn't present here, because in the fulfilment of his ideals,

he is ceaselessly working in some far corner of India.

But I have no doubt that his spirit hovers over this place

and blesses our undertaking.

On 13th December, with his Aims and Objectives Resolution,

Pandit Nehru had laid the foundation of our Constitution.

The very next day Jinnah Saheb questioned the validity

of the Constituent Assembly itself.

This was merely the beginning.

There were many hurdles ahead.

Let us see how our Constitution makers

overcame these obstacles.