Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- The Constituent Assembly was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946 to frame the Constitution of independent India.
- Members were indirectly elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) under the system of Proportional Representation (PR).
- Representatives of the Princely States were nominated by their respective rulers.
- Initially, the Assembly consisted of 389 members:
- British Indian Provinces – 292
- Chief Commissioners' Provinces – 4
- Princely States – 93
- After the Partition of India, the strength of the Assembly was reduced to 299 members:
- Provinces – 229
- Princely States – 70
- Seats were allocated broadly on the basis of one seat for every 10 lakh population, ensuring proportional representation.
- The Assembly represented various communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Scheduled Castes, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, Parsis, Tribal communities, and Women.
- Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the Temporary Chairman of the Assembly.
- Dr. Rajendra prasad was elected as the Permanent President on 11 December 1946.
- H.C. Mukherjee was elected as the Vice-President of the Constituent Assembly.
- Sir B.N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Adviser and prepared the initial draft of the Constitution.
- The Drafting Committee, headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was constituted on 29 August 1947 to prepare the Draft Constitution.
Working of the Constituent Assembly
- The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9 December 1946 in New Delhi.
- The Muslim League boycotted the first session, demanding a separate Constituent Assembly for Pakistan.
- Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha presided over the inaugural session as the Temporary Chairman.
- On 11 December 1946, Dr. Rajendra prasad was unanimously elected as the Permanent President.
- Jawaharlal nehru moved the Objectives Resolution on 13 December 1946, which was adopted on 22 January 1947.
- After Independence, the Constituent Assembly became a sovereign legislative body, exercising both constitution-making and legislative functions.
- The Drafting Committee was constituted on 29 August 1947 under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- The first Draft Constitution was published in February 1948, inviting suggestions from the public.
- The Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions over a period of 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
- It met for 165 sitting days, out of which 114 days were devoted to discussing the Draft Constitution.
- A total of 7,635 amendments were proposed, of which 2,473 amendments were actually moved and discussed.
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, signed on 24 January 1950, and came into force on 26 January 1950.
Objectives Resolution
§ The Objectives Resolution was moved by Jawaharlal nehru on 13 December 1946.
§ It was adopted on 22 January 1947 after extensive debate in the Constituent Assembly.
§ It laid down the philosophical and ideological foundation of the Indian Constitution.
§ Stated that all powers and authority would derive from the people of India, establishing the principle of Sovereignty.
§ Guaranteed Justice (social, economic, and political), Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity to all citizens.
§ Promised adequate safeguards for Minorities, Backward Classes, Tribal Areas, and Depressed Classes.
Committees of the Constituent Assembly
- The Constituent Assembly established 22 major committees and several sub-committees to examine different aspects of the Constitution.
- These committees enabled specialized deliberation, ensuring efficient drafting of constitutional provisions.
- Drafting Committee – Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; responsible for preparing the Draft Constitution. The seven members of the committee were:
o Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Chairman
o N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar – Member
o Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar – Member
o K.M. Munshi – Member
o Syed Mohammad Saadulla – Member
o B.L. Mitter – Member (Resigned due to ill health; replaced by N. Madhava Rau)
o D.P. Khaitan – Member (Died in 1948; replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari)
§ Union Constitution Committee – Chairman: Jawaharlal Nehru; dealt with the constitutional structure of the Union.
§ Union Powers Committee – Chairman: Jawaharlal Nehru; determined the distribution of powers between the Union and Provinces.
§ Provincial Constitution Committee – Chairman: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; framed provisions relating to Provincial Governments.
§ Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal Areas – Chairman: Sardar Vallabhbhai patel, recommended provisions relating to fundamental rights and safeguards for minorities and tribal areas.
§ Rules of Procedure Committee – Chairman: Dr. Rajendra prasad; framed the rules governing Assembly proceedings.
§ Steering Committee – Chairman: Dr. Rajendra prasad; coordinated and scheduled the business of the Assembly.
§ Other important committees included the States Committee, Finance and Staff Committee, House Committee, Flag Committee, Supreme Court Committee, Credential Committee, and Order of Business Committee.
Criticism of the constituent assembly
- The constituent assembly was not directly elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise.
- Representation of women, labourers, peasants and economically weaker sections was comparatively low.
- Members from the Princely States were nominated rather than elected, raising concerns about democratic representation.
- The Constitution was criticized as a "Bag of Borrowings" because many provisions were adopted from foreign constitutions.
