Constitution Day 2024: From President’s Parliament address to Centre’s year-long campaign, here’s how India is celebrating Samvidhan Diwas

The Constitution will also be released in Sanskrit and Maithili as a part of celebrations.

“Constitution is not a mere lawyers’ document, it is a vehicle of life and its spirit is always the spirit of Age.” - Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

India is celebrating a historic milestone this year — 75 years since the adoption of its Constitution. The central government has declared a yearlong celebration to honor the architects of the Constitution, particularly Dr BR Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal recently announced the yearlong campaign ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhiman’, that aims to deepen citizens’ understanding of the Constitution’s principles and its monumental journey in shaping modern India. The campaign will focus on educating the public about the makers of the Constitution and the lesser-known but invaluable contributions of the 15 women involved in the drafting process.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will address a joint session at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on Tuesday to observe the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. A commemorative coin and stamp marking the occasion will be released during the event. Additionally, two books, titled "Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse" and "Making of the Constitution of India & Its Glorious Journey", will also be unveiled. Moreover, the Constitution will also be released in Sanskrit and Maithili as a part of celebrations, the Ministry of Culture said in a release.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, will mark the occasion by participating at an event organised at the Supreme Court Auditorium. At the event, PM Modi will release the Indian Judiciary's annual report for 2023-24 and also deliver a speech on the judiciary's role in upholding constitutional values. The event will also see Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, among other judges and senior lawyers.

Centre declares year-long celebrations

Launched earlier this year at Delhi’s Dr BR Ambedkar International Centre, the ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhiman’ campaign will be the central element of the celebrations. According to the Law Minister, the objective of the initiative is to deepen public understanding of the Constitution’s pivotal role in shaping Indian society and to make citizens' aware of their rights and responsibilities.

The campaign further seeks to demystify key constitutional principles such as justice, equality, liberty and fraternity through accessible workshops, seminars and regional events. It also aims to promote legal literacy, educating citizens about their Fundamental Rights and their duties under the Constitution.

The three sub-themes of the campaign ‘Sabko Nyay, Har Ghar Nyay’ that will advocate for accessible justice for all, ‘Nav Bharat, Nav Sankalp’ to encourage democratic engagement and participation and ‘Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyaan’ for spreading legal awareness, particularly in underserved communities, Ministry of Culture stated in an official release.

History and significance of Samvidhan Diwas

Observed annually on November 26 as Samvidhan Divas, Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949. The document came into effect two months later, on January 26, 1950, when India declared itself a republic. What sets this year apart is that it also coincides with the 133rd birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Dr Ambedkar’s contributions extend beyond the Constitution; he was a relentless advocate for the rights of the marginalized and a visionary statesman. Under his leadership, the Drafting Committee meticulously crafted the Constitution — a process spanning 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days.

Initially celebrated as Law Day, the occasion was officially renamed Constitution Day in 2015 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Making of the Constitution

The need for a governing framework became apparent during India’s freedom struggle. This need culminated in the formation of the Constituent Assembly in December 1946. The Assembly initially comprised 389 members, including first Prime Minister of Independent India Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Dr Ambedkar. But its membership was reduced to 299 after the Partition of India. The assembly convened its first session on December 9, 1946, under the chairmanship of Dr Rajendra Prasad.

Over 11 sessions, the assembly debated fundamental issues, including the official language, the name of the country, and provisions for citizenship. Among the 17 committees, the Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr Ambedkar, played a pivotal role. Tasked with sifting through approximately 7,600 amendments, the committee synthesized diverse ideas into a cohesive document.

What topics were debated during the making of the Constitution?

The process of drafting the Constitution went through several spirited debates on myriad topics. One such discussion centered around the mechanism for amending the Constitution. India’s first Agriculture Minister PS Deshmukh, argued then for a simpler amendment process to keep the document relevant and adaptable. However, Dr Ambedkar maintained that while flexibility was essential, allowing frequent changes based on legislative whims could jeopardize the Constitution’s stability.

Women who wrote the Constitution

While Dr Ambedkar’s leadership in drafting the Indian Constitution is widely celebrated, this year’s Constitution Day campaign goes beyond his legacy to shed light on the invaluable contributions of 15 remarkable women in the Constituent Assembly. These members, including Durgabai Deshmukh, Hansa Kumari, Dakshayani Velayudhan, Begum Aziaz Rasul, Annie Mascarene, Hansa Jivraj Mehta, Amrit Kaur, Ammu Swaminathan and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, envisioned an India that reflected the aspirations of both men and women alike.

According to several records, these women members of the Constituent Assembly courageously championed economic, social and political equality for all. Their persistent advocacy for justice and inclusion helped shape the foundation of India. Unfazed by prejudices or derogatory remarks from some members of the Assembly, these women articulated bold visions and played a decisive role in crafting the blueprint for a democratic nation.