As the nation gears up to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution on November 26, all eyes are on the iconic leader, Dr. BR Ambedkar. The Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar was instrumental in the drafting and adoption of the Indian Constitution, which was the culmination of years of hard work. His contributions towards ensuring social justice and fundamental rights for all will be remembered and celebrated on this day.
The Indian Constitution and the Bharatiya Janata Party: A Clash of Ideologies
The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, is India's oldest political party and played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), founded in 1980, is the current ruling party in India and is known for its right-wing, Hindu nationalist ideology.
The Constitution of India
The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and is considered one of the longest written constitutions in the world. It was drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly. The Constitution was influenced by various sources, including the Government of India Act of 1935, the Irish Constitution, and the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of the Indian government. It also contains a fundamental rights charter, which guarantees certain fundamental rights to all Indian citizens.
Caste and the Indian Constitution
Caste is a complex social hierarchy system that has been prevalent in India for centuries. The Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste, and it also provides for the implementation of affirmative action policies to protect the rights of disadvantaged castes.
Ajay Singh Yadav
Ajay Singh Yadav is a prominent Indian politician who has served as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, since 1999. He belongs to the Samajwadi Party, which is a secular and socialist political party. Yadav is known for his advocacy of the rights of disadvantaged castes.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution? Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
2. On what date was the Indian Constitution adopted? Answer: November 26, 1949
3. What is the significance of caste in the Indian Constitution? Answer: The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste and provides for affirmative action policies to protect the rights of disadvantaged castes.
4. Who is Ajay Singh Yadav? Answer: A prominent Indian politician known for his advocacy of the rights of disadvantaged castes.
5. What is the current ruling party in India? Answer: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna spoke at a Constitution Day event, highlighting the transformative journey of India since independence and the role of the Constitution in shaping the country. He emphasized that the Constitution is a way of life that must be upheld by both judges and members of the bar. The annual observance of Constitution Day was officially declared in 2015 to honor the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a set of petitions demanding the elimination of "secular", "socialist" and "integrity" from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The court stated that after 44 years of their introduction in 1976 by the Indira Gandhi government, there is no genuine reason for challenging the Constitutional amendment. The petitioners, including Subramanian Swamy, argued that these words violate the basic structure of the Constitution, but the apex court disagreed and emphasized that parliament holds the power to amend it. The court also pointed out the delay in filing the petition and clarified that parliament's power to amend the Constitution is not constrained by the date of its adoption.
After Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's victory in the 2024 Indian parliamentary elections, members of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) expressed their congratulations and belief that her win signifies a boost for women's empowerment in India. They also drew comparisons to her grandmother, Indira Gandhi, who they say championed women's rights during her tenure as prime minister. Meanwhile, they criticized the opposing BJP and RSS parties for their lack of support for women in politics and society.
As Maharashtra commemorated the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, key figures from the state came together to pay their respects at a memorial in Mumbai. The event was attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose upcoming resignation is set to create political turmoil and potentially form a new government. The day also saw tensions rise in Udaipur's royal family feud, Trump's plans to appoint Kash Patel to a key position, and unrest in Bangladesh over the arrest of a Hindu leader.
A widow expresses her anger and sorrow as she confronts a medical professor at an inquest over her husband's death due to a misdiagnosed cancer. John Leach, a former NHS worker who was exposed to asbestos, passed away earlier this year after being denied a scan by the hospital. The professor defended his decision, explaining that scans are not routinely done for coughs.
On the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, India remembers the brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives and expresses solidarity with the victims' families. Leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah, pay homage and reiterate India's firm commitment to defeating terrorism. The attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, are described as a "cowardly act" and a "blot on humanity."
Calls for release of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, a prominent leader of ISKCON Bangladesh, have intensified as Hindu rights advocacy and civil society groups in Bangladesh started protesting in major cities. The temple authorities have urged the Indian government to intervene and convey to the Bangladesh government that ISKCON is a peaceful Bhakti movement and has no links to terrorism. The arrest and detention of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das have sparked tensions between India and Bangladesh.
On 26th November, 2008, Mumbai was struck by a dark day as ten armed militants from Pakistan evoked terror in the city. Today marks the 16th anniversary of this horrific event. The Maharashtra CM and Deputy CMs will pay their respects to the 166 people who lost their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack at the Martyrs' Memorial.
On November 26, India observes Constitution Day to honour Dr BR Ambedkar and celebrate the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. The day promotes awareness of constitutional values and reinforces the principles of democracy, justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity among citizens. It recognizes the contributions of the Constituent Assembly and serves as a reminder to uphold civic responsibilities and strive for a fair and inclusive society.
The Indian Supreme Court has rejected multiple petitions challenging the addition of the words "Socialist" and "Secular" in the Preamble of the Constitution. The Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stated that the Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, including the Preamble. The Court also noted that secularism is a core feature of the Constitution and has been upheld in previous judgements. The petitions argue that the concept of "Dharma" and the failure of the Communist theory of state make the insertion inappropriate and that Indian citizens should not be compelled to be secular.