Republic Day: January 26, 2024, marks the 74th Republic Day of India. On this day, the erstwhile British colony adopted its own constitution prepared by the members of the Constituent Assembly. January 26, 1950, marked the establishment of the Constitution of India as it emerged from a brutal colonial past. However, Indian Constitution was first adopted on November 26, 1949. Hence, November 26 is celebrated as Constitution Day.
Republic Day: History
The Constituent Assembly was the body meant to draft the Indian Constitution. It conducted its first session on December 9, 1946, which is attended by 207 members, including nine women. Initially, the assembly had 389 members, however, after the independence and partition of India, the strength was reduced to 299.
The Drafting Committee led by Dr. BR Ambedkar was one of the over 17 committees of the Constituent Assembly. The task of this Drafting Committee was to prepare a Draft Constitution for India. The committee removed about 2400 amendments while deliberating and debating the constitution, out o nearly 7600 amendments tabled.
The Constituent Assembly’s last session ended on November 26, 1949, and this is when the Constitution was adopted. However, on January 26, 1950, it came into effect following the signatures of the 284 members who signed it.
Republic Day: Significance
January 26 was decided to be the Republic Day of India since it was the day that the INC (Indian National Congress) proclaimed the Declaration of Indian Independence in the year 1930. This date was chosen since the Congress Poorna Swaraj resolution was declared on this day.
The resolution also marked the beginning of a large-scale nationwide political movement against colonial rule.
