STANDARD TEN CIVICS Unit I - INDIAN CONSTITUTION.indd 168 10-04-2019 09:56:27 Unit - 1 Indian Constitution Learning Objectives To know about the making of Indian Constitution To know the Salient features of Indian Constitution To understand the Fundamental Rights and Duties To know the Directive Principles of State Policy To understand the Centre-State relations and the Emergency Provisions Introduction 1.2 Making of Indian The Constitution is the fundamental law Constitution of a country which reflects the fundamental Th e Constitution of India was framed by principles on which the government of that a Constituent Assembly setup under the country is based. It is the vehicle of a Nation’s Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946. Th e Assembly progress. More particularly, it is concerned consisted of 389 members representing with institutional fabric and the framework Provinces (292), States (93), the Chief of the distribution of powers between the Commissioner’s provinces (3) and Baluchistan (1). Th e Assembly held its fi rst meeting on various organs of the government and between December 9, 1946. Dr. Sachchidananda the Union and the States. The concept of Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the constitution was first originated in U.S.A. temporary President of the Assembly. While the work was in progress, Dr. Sahchidananda 1.1 The Need for Sinha died. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as a Constitution the President of the Assembly. Similarly, both H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari were All Democratic countries have a constitution elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly. that governs them. A constitution puts down Th e Assembly met for 11 sessions along with certain principles that form the basis of any 166 days of meetings. During the discussion, kind of a state that we as citizens, desire to 2473 amendments were presented. Some of live in. A constitution tells us the fundamental them were accepted. Th e Assembly worked nature of our society. A country is usually through various committees and the draft of made up of different communities of people the Constitution was prepared by the Draft ing who have different beliefs; it will be helpful Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. in fulfilling the beliefs of different segments B.R. Ambedkar. He is recognised as the ‘Father of citizens. of the Constitution of India’. 169 Indian Constitution Unit I - INDIAN CONSTITUTION.indd 169 10-04-2019 09:56:27 It introduces Universal Adult Franchise and accords the right to vote to all citizens above 18 years of age without any discrimination. It provides single citizenship. It makes special provisions for minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, etc. 1.4 Preamble The term ‘preamble’ refers to the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar introduction or preface to the Constitution. After the draft had been It consists of the ideals, objectives and basic discussed by the people, the principles of the Constitution. It contains press, provincial assemblies the summary or essence of the Constitution. and others, the Constitution It has great value and has been described as was finally adopted on the ‘key to the Constitution’. The Preamble November 26, 1949, to the Indian Constitution is based on the contained a Preamble, 22 parts, 395 Articles ‘Objective Resolution’, drafted by Jawaharlal and 8 Schedules. The drafted Constitution Nehru, which was adopted by the Constituent came into force on 26th January, 1950. This Assembly on January 22, 1947. It has been day is known as the Republic Day. It is being amended once by the 42nd Constitutional observed every year. Amendment Act of 1976, which added three new words - socialist, secular and integrity. Prem Behari Narain Raizada was The Preamble begins with the phrase ‘We, the calligrapher of the Indian the People of India’. This clearly implies Constitution. The original that the Constitution derives its authority constitution was handwritten by from the People of India. Thus, we can him in a flowing italic style. say that the people of India are the source of our Constitution. The Preamble of our Constitution states that India is a Sovereign 1.3 Salient features of Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. Indian Constitution Its aim is to secure to all Indian citizens It is the lengthiest of all the written Social, economic and political justice. The constitutions of the world. Constitution guarantees Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship to all. It It has borrowed most of its provisions gives Equality of status and of opportunity to from the constitutions of various all. It wants to promote Fraternity among all countries. Indians. It is partly rigid and partly flexible. It establishes a federal system of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity government. were the important slogans during It establishes the parliamentary system not the French Revolution in 1789. only at the Centre but also in the states. They are given importance in the It makes India as a secular state. Preamble of our Constitution. It provides an independent judiciary. Indian Constitution 170 Unit I - INDIAN CONSTITUTION.indd 170 10-04-2019 09:56:27 1.5 Citizenship 1.5.3 Loss of Citizenship The word ‘Citizen’ is derived from the The Citizenship Act of 1955 prescribes Latin term ‘Civis’. It means resident of a City three ways of losing citizenship whether State. The Constitution of India provides for acquired under the Act or prior to it under the a single and uniform citizenship for the whole Constitution, viz, renunciation, termination of India. Articles 5 to 11 under part II of the and deprivation. Constitution deals with the citizenship. 1. It can be voluntarily renounced by a citizen. 1.5.1 Citizenship Act of 1955 2. It can be terminated if a person acquires The Citizenship Act of 1955 provides for the citizenship of some other country. acquisition and loss of citizenship after the 3. The central government can deprive a commencement of the Constitution. This naturalized citizen, if it satisfied that the Act has been amended so far eight times. citizenship was acquired by fraud, false Originally, the Citizenship Act (1955) also representation or concealment of material provided for the commonwealth Citizenship. facts or indulges in trade with enemy But, this provision was repealed by the countries or if the person has been sentenced Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003. to imprisonment for a period of 2 years. 1.5.2 Acquisition of Citizenship 1.6 Fundamental Rights The Citizenship Act of 1955 prescribes five ways of acquiring citizenship, viz, birth, The Fundamental Rights are enshrined descent, registration, naturalisation and in Part III of the Constitution from Articles incorporation of territory: 12 to 35. In this regard, the framers of the Constitution derived inspiration from According to the Citizenship Act, 1955, the the Constitution of USA. Originally, citizenship could be acquired through any of the Constitution provided for seven the following methods. Fundamental Rights. At present, there are 1. By Birth: All persons born in India on only six Fundamental Rights. Part III of the or after January 26, 1950 are treated as Constitution is rightly described as the Magna citizens by birth. Carta of India. While Fundamental Rights are 2. By Descent: A person born outside India available to all persons, certain Fundamental on or after January 26, 1950 shall be a Rights are available only to Indian Citizens. citizen of India by descent, if his father is a citizen of India at the time of his birth. ‘Magna Carta’ is the Charter of 3. By Registration: A person can acquire Rights issued by King John of citizenship of India by registration with England in 1215 under pressure appropriate authority. from the barons. This is the first 4. By Naturalisation: A foreigners can written document relating to acquire Indian citizenship, on application the Fundamental Rights of citizens. for naturalization to the Government of India. Right to constitutional remedies 5. By Incorporation of Territory: In the (Articles 32) event of a certain territory being added A writ is an order or command issued by to the territory of India, the Government a court in writing under its seal. It is in the of India shall specify the persons of that nature of a command or prohibition from territory who shall be citizen of India. performing certain acts that are specified in 171 Indian Constitution Unit I - INDIAN CONSTITUTION.indd 171 10-04-2019 09:56:27 I. RIGHT TO EQUALITY II. RIGHT TO FREEDOM Art. 14 - Equality before law. Art. 19 - Freedom of speech and expression, Art. 15 - Prohibition of discrimination on assembly, association, movement, grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or residence and profession. place of birth. Art. 20 - Protection in respect of conviction for Art. 16 - Equality of opportunity in matters of offences. public employment. Art. 21 - Protection of life and personal liberty. Art. 17 - Abolition of Untouchability. Art. 21A - Right to elementary education. Art. 18 - Abolition of titles except military and Art. 22 - Protection against arrest and detention academic. in certain cases. III. RIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION IV. RIGHT TO RELIGION Art. 25 - Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. Art. 23 - Prohibition of traffic in human beings Art. 26 - Freedom to manage religious affairs. and forced labour. Art. 27 - Freedom from payment of taxes for Art. 24 - Prohibition of employment of children promotion of any religion. in factories, etc. Art. 28 - Freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions. V. CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS VI. RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES Art. 29 - Protection of language, script and culture of minorities. Art. 32 - It allows individuals to seek redressal Art. 30 - Right of minorities to establish and for the violation of their fundamental administer educational institutions.