A
New and Divided Nation
When India
became independent in August 1947,
8 million refugees had come into the country from what was
now Pakistan .
These people had to be found homes and jobs. Then there was the problem of the
princely states, almost 500 of them
between high castes and low castes, between the majority
Hindu community and non hindu Indians, different languages different kinds of
food and practised different professions.
the vast majority of Indians lived in the villages. Farmers
and peasants depended on the monsoon.
In the cities, factory workers lived in crowded slums with
little access to education or health care.
A
Constitution is Written
Between December 1946 and November 1949, some three hundred
Indians had consisted with constituent assembly and framed Indian constitution
which was adopted on 26 January 1950.
features of the Constitution
First feature of the Constitution was its adoption of
universal adult franchise. All Indians above the age of 21 would be allowed to
vote in state and national elections.
A second feature of the Constitution was that it guaranteed
equality before the law to all citizens, regardless of their caste or religious
affiliation.
Besides Muslims, India also had large populations of
Sikhs and Christians, as well as many Parsis and Jains. Under the new
Constitution, they would have the same rights as Hindus – the same
opportunities.
A third feature of the Constitution was that it offered
special privileges for the poorest and most disadvantaged Indians. The practice
of untouchability was abolished. Hindu temples, previously open to only the
higher castes, were thrown open to all.
A certain percentage of seats in legislatures as well as
jobs in government be reserved for members of the lowest castes.
Adivasis or Scheduled Tribes were also granted reservation
in seats and jobs.
The Constitution providing three lists of subjects:
A Union List, with subjects such as taxes, defence and
foreign affairs, which would be the exclusive responsibility of the Centre;
A State List of subjects,
such as education and health, which would be taken care of principally by the
states;
A Concurrent List, under
which would come subjects such as forests and agriculture, in which the Centre
and the states would have joint responsibility.
Another feature of the
constitution was about language. While Hindi would be the “official language”
of India ,
English would be used in the courts, the services, and communications between
one state and another.
The most important role was played by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who
was Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
How were States to be
Formed?
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