It was M.N Roy who proposed the idea of an independent constituent assembly for India in 1934.
The constituent assembly was formed as per the guidelines suggested by the Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946. The mission was headed by Pethick Lawrenceand included two other members apart from him – Stafford Cripps and A.V Alexander.
The total strength of the assembly was 389. However, after partition only 299 remained. It was partly elected and partly nominated body.
The elections to form the assembly took place in July-August 1946 and the process was completed by November 1946. The first meeting of the assembly took place on 9th December 1946 and was attended by 211 members.
Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha became the temporary President of the assembly following the French practice.
On 11th December 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and H.C Mukherji were elected as President and Vice-President respectively.
Sir B.N Rau was appointed as the constitutional advisor to the assembly.
On 13th December 1946, Pt. Nehru moved the Objectives resolution which later went on to become the Preamble of the constitution in slightly modified form. The resolution was unanimously adopted on 22nd January 1947.
The Constituent Assembly ratified India’s membership of the commonwealth in May 1949. Also, it adopted National Song and National Anthem on 24th January 1950. Adopted the National Flag on 22nd July 1947.
The assembly met for 11 sessions, took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to frame up the final draft, sat for 141 days in total and the draft constitution was considered for 114 days. Total amount incurred was around rupees 64 lakhs.
The assembly had 15 women members which were reduced to 9 after partition.
Some important committees of the constituent assembly along with their respective chairpersons are as follows:
Union Powers Committee - Jawahar Lal Nehru
Union Constitution Committee - Jawahar Lal Nehru
Provincial Constitution Committee - Sardar Patel
Drafting Committee - B.R Ambedkar
Rules of Procedure Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Steering Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Flag Committee - J.B. Kripalani
The following were the members of the Drafting Committee
Dr. B.R Ambedkar (Chairman)
Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar
Dr. K.M Munshi
N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar
Syed Mohammad Saadullah
N Madhava Rau
TT Krishnamachari
The final draft of the constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949 and it contained 8 schedules, 22 parts, and 395 articles.
VARIOUS SOURCES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
Government of India Act of 1935 - Federal Scheme, Office of the governor, Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, Emergency provisions and administrative details.
British Constitution - Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, legislative procedure, single citizenship, cabinet system, prerogative writs, parliamentary privileges, and bicameralism.
US Constitution - Fundamental rights, independence of the judiciary, judicial review, impeachment of the president, removal of Supreme Court and high court judges and post of vice-president.
Irish Constitution - Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination of members to Rajya Sabha and method of election of the president.
Canadian Constitution - Federation with a strong Centre, vesting of residuary powers in the Centre, the appointment of state governors by the Centre, and advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Australian Constitution - Concurrent List, freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse, and the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
Weimar Constitution of Germany - Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency.
Soviet Constitution (USSR, now Russia) - Fundamental duties and the idea of justice (social, economic and political) in the Preamble.
French Constitution - Republic and the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the Preamble.
South African Constitution - Procedure for amendment of the Constitution and election of members of Rajya Sabha.
Japanese Constitution - Procedure established by Law.
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