Question

Look again at “Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement – Civil Disobedience and Beyond”. Discuss how the political situation of the time may have shaped the nature of the debates within the Constituent Assembly.

Answer 1

1. The Constituent Assembly met at a time when India had just achieved Independence from British rule.
2. The country was also facing the effects of Partition, which had caused violence, migration and communal tension.
3. Because of this, the Assembly gave great importance to national unity and political stability.
4. The experience of British rule made members determined to protect fundamental rights and democratic freedoms.
5. The leaders also wanted to prevent discrimination based on religion, caste and social background.
6. The condition of peasants, workers and weaker sections influenced debates about social and economic justice.
7. There were also discussions about minority rights because communal relations had become a serious concern after Partition.
8. The Assembly debated how much power should be given to the central government and the states, because India was a large and diverse country.
9. The experience of the national movement encouraged members to support democracy, equality, secularism and representative government.

Thus, the political situation of Independence, Partition and the long struggle against colonial rule strongly shaped the debates and decisions of the Constituent Assembly.