Have you ever wondered how the Indian Constitution was born? This story actually began back in 1934. It was M.N. Roy, a Communist leader, who first proposed the idea that India should have a Constituent Assembly. Strengthening this thought, in 1935, the Indian National Congress officially put forward this demand.
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In 1938, Jawaharlal Nehru declared that “the constitution of a free India must be framed only by Indians, by a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise.” The Congress supported this idea through a resolution in 1939.
In 1940, during World War II, the British Government, through the August Offer, accepted this demand in principle in exchange for India’s cooperation in the war. Later, in 1942, the Cripps Mission, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the British Cabinet, was sent to India with a draft proposal to gain Indian support. However, the Muslim League rejected the proposal, demanding two separate Constituent Assemblies and insisting that India be divided into two sovereign states. As a result, it failed due to the stance of the Muslim League.
Subsequently, on March 24, 1946, the British Government sent the Cabinet Mission led by Lord Pethick-Lawrence to India, which brought about a major breakthrough. This mission consisted of Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. On May 16, 1946, the plan they announced rejected the proposal for two separate Constituent Assemblies and made it clear that the Constitution would be framed only by a single Constituent Assembly.
Thus, after overcoming many challenges and discussions, the Constituent Assembly was formed laying the foundation for India’s independence. It was this very Assembly that, in 1950, gifted the people of India the world’s largest democratic constitution.
🎯 From the idea to the implementation of the Constituent Assembly… which phase touches your heart the most?
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