The Indian Constitution, adopted on January 26, 1950, is one of the most comprehensive and lengthy constitutions in the world. Here are some of its key features: Lengthy and Detailed: The Indian Constitution is one of the longest written constitutions of any sovereign country, containing 395 articleRead more
The Indian Constitution, adopted on January 26, 1950, is one of the most comprehensive and lengthy constitutions in the world. Here are some of its key features:
- Lengthy and Detailed: The Indian Constitution is one of the longest written constitutions of any sovereign country, containing 395 articles and 12 schedules.
- Federal System with Unitary Bias: India follows a federal system where power is divided between the central government and the states. However, during emergencies, the Constitution provides for a unitary form of government.
- Parliamentary Democracy: India has a parliamentary form of government where the President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Parliament.
- Fundamental Rights: The Constitution guarantees several fundamental rights to its citizens, including right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies (Article 12 to 35).
- Directive Principles of State Policy: These are guidelines for the government to establish a just society in which the welfare of the people is the primary concern. Though not enforceable by courts, they are fundamental in the governance of the country (Article 36 to 51).
- Independent Judiciary: The Constitution establishes an independent judiciary headed by the Supreme Court. It ensures the protection of fundamental rights and acts as the guardian of the Constitution.
- Universal Adult Franchise: One of the most notable features is the provision of universal adult suffrage, giving every adult citizen the right to vote without any discrimination.
- Secularism: India is a secular state, ensuring equal treatment of all religions by the state. The Constitution mandates a separation of religion from the state.
The British divided India into provinces in a way that disrupted linguistic and cultural balances. Since the 1920s, nationalist congress leaders have wanted to reorganise provinces based on language. At the 1920 Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress, they agreed to this idea. However, afterRead more
The British divided India into provinces in a way that disrupted linguistic and cultural balances. Since the 1920s, nationalist congress leaders have wanted to reorganise provinces based on language. At the 1920 Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress, they agreed to this idea. However, after India gained independence in 1947, the new leaders, including the Constituent Assembly, hesitated to this idea of linguistic reorganisation of the state. Historian Bipin Chandra says at the time of Independence the leaders felt that national unity was their top priority.
The push for linguistic reorganisation came back with the demand for a separate Andhra state. This led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh in October 1953, the first state reorganised based on language after independence. The States Reorganisation Committee (SRC) supported this principle and in 1955 recommended redrawing state boundaries based on language, while also considering administrative and economic factors and national unity. The States Reorganisation Act, passed in November 1956, created 14 states and 6 centrally administered territories. This was followed by the division of Bombay State into Gujarat for Gujarati speakers and Maharashtra for Marathi speakers.
You may further read “Interrogating Reorganisation of States: Culture, Identity, and Politics in India” by Asha Sarangi and Sudha Pai.
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