Question

Why should we accept the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly more than six decades ago?

Answer 1

The question demands a justification for why we follow a constitution which was framed six decades ago. Try to provide reason, showing how the working and arrangement of the Constituent Assembly ensured its relevance.

Solution: The constitution by the constituent assembly continues to be relevant and accepted by the government and citizens of India because of the following reasons:-

1. The assembly expressed the broad consensus of its time. This is proven by the fact that no large social group or political party has ever questioned the legitimacy of the constitution itself.
2. The Constituent Assembly members were elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial Legislatures as there was no Universal adult franchise. This ensured a fair geographical share of members from all the regions of the country.
3. Distinct voices were not suppressed. This is because the Congress itself included a variety of political groups and opinions.
4. Members from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and occupations were also represented.
5. The working of the Assembly was in a systematic, open and consensual manner. First, some basic principles were agreed upon after which the drafting committee framed a draft constitution. This draft constitution was then deliberated upon clause by clause by the assembly and only after this the constitution was finally enacted.