On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, which officially came into effect on January 26, 1950. While Republic Day, January 26, is widely celebrated, since 2015, November 26 has been annually observed as Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion by sharing a message on X, referring to the Constitution as the “guiding light” of India.
Why is November 26 Observed as Constitution Day?
In May 2015, the Union Cabinet declared that November 26 would be recognized as Constitution Day to promote “constitutional values among citizens.” This decision coincided with the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution. Other key figures on the committee included K.M. Munshi, Muhammad Saadullah, and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer.
The government’s move was seen as a tribute to Ambedkar and his immense contribution to the framing of the Constitution. A press release from the government in 2015 stated, “This year, the country is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The ‘Constitution Day’ will be a part of these year-long nationwide celebrations.”
Ambedkar’s Legacy
The declaration to observe Constitution Day was also a political gesture aimed at honoring Ambedkar’s legacy and appealing to the Dalit community. Following the announcement, then Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot, remarked on the previous government’s failure to honor Ambedkar, particularly highlighting that the Congress-led government had not installed his portrait in Parliament or awarded him the Bharat Ratna.
In line with this, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment initiated several programs to promote Ambedkar’s ideas, including the establishment of the Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. On November 19, 2015, the government formally notified November 26 as Constitution Day. Prior to this, the day had been observed as National Law Day, celebrating Ambedkar’s role as India’s first Law Minister.
Political Leaders’ Observations
In recent years, leaders from different political parties have paid tribute to the Constitution on November 26. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a message highlighting the Constitution’s importance in protecting marginalized sections of society. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi was often seen carrying a small copy of the Constitution and invoking it in his speeches to appeal to minority communities.
In his message, Gandhi said, “The Constitution is a powerful tool to protect the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society. The stronger it is, the stronger our country will be. On this day, while paying homage to the fighters, martyrs, and every member of the Constituent Assembly who protected the idea of the Constitution, I reiterate my resolve to protect it.”
The Adoption of the Indian Constitution
The drafting of the Indian Constitution began with the first session of the Constituent Assembly on December 9, 1946. Initially comprising 389 members, the assembly’s strength was reduced to 299 after Independence and the Partition of India. Over the course of more than three years, the assembly spent over 114 days debating the draft, consulting multiple sources including the Constitutions of other nations, and adapting provisions to suit India’s needs.
The Government of India Act of 1935 was a major source of inspiration for the Indian Constitution, introducing concepts such as bicameralism and direct elections. Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the “Objectives Resolution” on December 13, 1946, which was later adopted as the Preamble on January 22, 1947.
The Drafting Committee, headed by Ambedkar, reviewed around 7,600 amendments, ultimately discarding more than 2,400. The final draft was adopted on November 26, 1949, and the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. January 26 was chosen for its symbolic significance, as it was on this day in 1930 that the Indian National Congress declared the Poorna Swaraj resolution for complete independence from British rule.
