The 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution marks a moment to reflect on its founding ideals. Adopted on November 26 1949 it laid the groundwork for a democratic Republic. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s call to place the nation above personal beliefs continues to inspire the nation.
On January 26 1950the Constitution came into effect and it officially transformed India into a sovereign, democratic, republic. The Constituent Assembly had debated extensively on the challenges of nation-building, with Dr. Ambedkar’s closing address highlighting the hurdles that lay ahead for the newly formed Republic.
India's federal structure has sparked significant issues like:
The upcoming delimitation exercise could intensify debates between the Union and States especially regarding population control policies and equitable representation.
Although federalism has shaped India’s democratic journey, the Constitution does not explicitly use the word ‘federal.’ However, Dr. Ambedkar clarified that India’s governance framework is fundamentally federal, except during emergencies.
Criticism that the Constitution is anti-federal has existed since its inception. Dr. Ambedkar countered this, asserting that the Union and States are co-equal, with overriding Union powers reserved only for emergencies.
The judiciary has upheld federalism as part of the basic structure of the Constitution in cases like S.R. Bommai vs Union of India (1994) and Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India (2024), cementing its importance.
Concerns have grown over India becoming a police state, with laws such as:
These laws have raised alarm over personal liberties and democratic rights.
India’s democratic vision is grounded in the values of liberty, equality and fraternity. However, caste divisions and socio-economic disparities continue to challenge this vision.
Dr. Ambedkar cautioned that failure to address inequalities would threaten democracy itself. He emphasized the need to build a sense of fraternity among citizens to ensure national unity.
Despite progress India still struggles to neutralize caste-based barriers and promote true equality of opportunity. These failures are a reflection of the challenges ahead rather than a shortcoming of the Constitution.
Recent suggestions to replace the Constitution with a document rooted in Hindu dharmic concepts undermine the immense intellectual effort of the Constituent Assembly.
Rather than reinventing the wheel India must focus on defending the democratic principles that are enshrined in the Constitution and ensure its continued relevance in a rapidly evolving world.
India needs constitutional guardians who prioritize the nation above individual needs or sectarian interests. These guardians are:
Drawing inspiration from Plato’s Republic India’s guardians must act as philosopher-leaders, upholding the values of the Constitution and ensuring justice, liberty and equality for all.
As India celebrates 75 years of its Constitution the focus must remain on fulfilling its promises. Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of a nation united by democracy and equality continues to guide the nation. In future we need collective resolve to safeguard the Constitution and uphold its foundational values for future generations.
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