A Set of rules that are accepted by the people of a country
Why do we need Constitution
It generates trust and co-ordiantion
It specifies how government is to be constituted, who will have the power to take decisions
It lays limits on powers of government and contains rights of citizens
It expresses the aspiration of people for creating a good society
Apartheid is the policy of racial discrimination and segregation
Imposed by the Whites who settled in South Africa and later became rulers
Skin color was the basis of discrimination
3/4th of population:- Blacks
Colored:- Migrants from India
White :- Very small in number
Blacks and colored have no voting rights, had separate schools, hotels, beaches etc.
No rights to form associations or to protest
African National Congress led the struggle against segregation
Apartheid declared unjust by many countries
Whites continued their racist regime by detaining, torturing and killing "blacks" and "colored"
Struggles and protests made the White regime unstable
Policies changed, laws repealed, restrictions on media lifted
Mandela freed from prision
New Flags of South Africa unfurled, Apartheid ended
Blacks appealed to their fellows to forgive the Whites
Pledged to build a new South Africa based on democratic values
Both Blacks and Whites worked together for a common Constitution
South Africa became a model of democracy
The constitution drafted by Motilal Nehru and Congress leaders in 1928 and the resolution of 1931 formed the basis of Indian Constitution.
Familiarity with Colonial political institution helped a lot, like the Government of India Act 1935
The French Revolution, The Bill of Rights in USA, The Socialist Revolution in Russia also inspired constitution framers
India got independence with a traumatic experience on partition. Princely states made the situation worse. They were given the choice to join the free India. The Constitution makers were anxious about the future of India.
The Constituent Assembly formed in 1946 and had 389 members
After Partition, Indian Constituent Assembly has 299 members that drafted the document.
26th November:- Constitution adopted
26th November:- Constitution came into effect
It reflects broad consensus of the People of India as a whole
No questioning on the legitimacy of constitution
Constituent Assembly ensured fair representation of all regions of India
Constituent Assembly worked in systematic, open and consensual manner
Broad discussion and debates before preparing a draft of rules
Every document and world spoken were recorded or preserved for future reference called "Constituent assembly Debates"