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26 November-National Constitution Day

Syllabus:

• GS 2: Consitutional Values

Why in the News?

26 November 2024 marks  75th anniversary, since adoption of the Constitution of India, celebrating  the country’s commitment to democratic governance and constitutional values.

Introduction

• Constitution of India was adopted on November 26 this year marks 75th anniversary, a milestone for Indian democracy.
• It is the time to reflect on the core constitutional values ​​that shaped the country to celebrate the spirit of constitutional rule in India.

Rise of democratic Institutions and Power transition

• Fundamental principles have influenced India’s constitutional culture.
• 2 important pillars of Indian democracy are
  • Smooth Power Transition
  • Respect for democratic institutions.
• These principles have stood for 70 years, reflecting the country’s strong adherence to parliamentary rule.

Public respect for democratic institutions

Historical background

• Average life expectancy was just about 32 years, When the Constitution of India was adopted in 1949.
• It has now been on the rise for nearly 70 years, showing a significant improvement in the life and standard of living of the average Indian.
• As a result of these developments, respect for democratic institutions has increased.
• Since the 1^st elections in 1951–1952, voter turnout has consistently increased, reflected public interest in democratic processes.
• The 2024 general election had a voter turnout of 65.79%, continuing the tradition of regular 60% Obviously.
• India’s tremendous socio-economic development over the last few decades is evidence of role of public policy and democratic governance in India’s Socio-economic Development.
• Improvements in living standards have further strengthened people’s confidence in democratic institutions and their role in shaping the country’s future.

Smooth power transition

• In the last 70 years, India has had many elections at the state and national level, where elected representatives of different political parties took power.
• These elections are hallmark of the essence of Indian democracy.
• Leaders of different political parties and ideologies have held positions of power over the years.
• Despite their differences, they have always adhered to the principle of peaceful post-election transition and hold to a core of democratic values.
• This effective decentralization highlights the strength of India’s political institutions.
• Voter’s influence in elections: Indian voters have shown their understanding of political challenges through informed electoral decisions.
• Voters play an important role in a peaceful transition of power by demonstrating confidence in the democratic process through active participation.

Rights and Federalism in India

• The Constitution of India not only protects individual rights but also recognizes federalism as an integral part of governance.
• These principles reflect the vision of the framers and their commitment to a diverse and inclusive society.

Importance of Fundamental Rights

• The Constitution of India clearly emphasizes the importance of fundamental rights.
• These rights are critical to protecting individual liberty and ensuring justice.

Judiciary’s Role

• Courts were established under the Constitution to enforce these rights, and acted as safeguards against any potential overreach by the state.
• This judicial immunity plays an important role in the balance between individual liberty and state power.
• Historical Background: The framers of the Constitution were heavily influenced by their experiences in the independence movement.
• Their struggle against colonialism shaped their views on the importance of individual rights.
• They recognized the potential dangers of state sovereignty, which led to a cautious approach.

Vision of Constitution Framers

• Instead of creating a benevolent society, the Framers emphasized the need to protect citizens from potential state coercion.
• Their commitment to the protection of individual rights has only strengthened over the years, resulting in a fundamental constitutional norm.
• Diversity and Plurality: The Framers were keenly aware of India’s immense diversity, including linguistic and cultural differences.
• Their goal was to create a constitution that would respect and protect the unique identity of the states and promote a unified national identity.
• Freedoms and Rights: To accommodate local diversity, the Constitution grants various freedoms and special rights to states.
• This approach acknowledges the unique history and culture of each region, and is inclusive.
• The concept of federalism has grown stronger in India over the last seven decades.

2 Breakthrough highlighting this progress

1.Rise of Political Parties: The emergence of strong national and regional political parties has played an important role in the formation of national political parties. These groups often influence coalition governments at the state and national levels, reflecting the importance of regional representation.

2.The passage of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution was very important in establishing local self-government through Panchayati Raj institutions and municipalities. This shift empowers local organizations, ensuring grassroots participation in governance.

Civil Society and Media

• India’s media environment is diverse, with different languages, ideologies and cultural perspectives. These diversities reflect national complexity and pluralism.
• Evolution of Media: Due to technological advances, the shift from print media to broadcast media has broadened the availability of information.
• Citizens can now access information and ideas from multiple sources, increasing their understanding of current events.

Democratic Milestones

• Building trust: The media and civil society organizations have an important role to play in building trust in democracy.
• They act as watchdogs, hold government accountable, and ensure transparency.

Challenges

• Despite the important roles, news organizations face challenges related to their funding models.
• Issues such as ownership concentration and censorship can undermine media freedom.

Rising Transparency

• Embrace the values ​​of transparency that underlie media culture.
• Diverse information gives Indian voters a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

A celebration of the Rule of law

• Historical Background: After India gained independence, General Claude Auchinleck spoke of the challenges of uniting such a diverse nation.
• India’s diversity, he suggested, prevented India from forming a unified nation.
• Misconceptions of critics: Overall, India has succeeded in creating a national identity based on constitutional ideals.
• The Constitution is a framework for uniting communities, promoting social justice and developing political awareness.

Conclusion

Constitution of India’s 75th anniversary is a celebration of resilience, democratic values ​​and the rich diversity, these constitutional principles, has not only built a unified identity of India but also nurtured a vibrant democratic culture that continues to evolve.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the importance of the core constitutional values ​​that have shaped the democratic culture in India in the last 75 years.