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21 February 1948: Draft Constitution presented by Ambedkar

On 29 August 194, the Constituent Assembly set up a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R. Ambedkar to prepare a draft Constitution for India

On 29 August 194, the Constituent Assembly set up a Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr B.R. Ambedkar to prepare a draft Constitution for India. The constitutional advisor Sir S.N. Rau prepared a draft in October 1947 for the committee’s consideration. The revised draft Constitution was released on 21 February 1948 as the basis for further discussion in the Constituent Assembly.

The Assembly had appointed several committees, numerous subcommittees and ad hoc committees, and even a committee of the whole house! Guiding the draft Constitution through this maze was a herculean task. Dr Rajendra Prasad wrote that Dr Ambedkar was the skilful pilot who steered the draft Constitution through these swirling currents.

 

11 AM, 9 December 1946: First day of the Constituent Assembly of India. From left: B.R. Ambedkar, B.G. Kher, Sardar Vallabhai Patel; K. M. Munshi is seated behind Patel.

 

Ambedkar (right) at a Constituent Assembly meeting

 

Drafting Committee of India. (Sitting from left) N. Madhavrao, Sayyad Sadulla, Dr Ambedkar (Chairman), Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Sir Benegal Narsingh Rao. (Standing from left) S.N. Mukharjee, Jugal Kishor Khanna and Kewal Krishnan. (29 August 1947)

 

21 February 1948: Ambedkar presents the draft Indian Constitution to Rajendra Prasad

 

 

Published in the February 2014 issue of the Forward Press magazine


Forward Press also publishes books on Bahujan issues. Forward Press Books sheds light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of the Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) community’s literature, culture, society and culture. Contact us for a list of FP Books’ titles and to order. Mobile: +919968527911, Email: info@forwardmagazine.in)

 

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