Who saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the constitu...
A communist member, Somnath Lahiri, saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly. He urged the members especially Indians, to completely free themselves from the influences of imperial rule. During the winter of 1946-47, when the Assembly was constituted, the British were still in India. An interim administration headed by Jawaharlal Nehru was in place, but it could only operate under the directions of the Viceroy and the British Government in London. Lahiri exhorted his colleagues to realise that the Constituent Assembly was British made and was working the British plans as the British should like it to be worked out.
Who saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the constitu...
The Dark Hand of British Imperialism Over the Constituent Assembly
Somnath Lahiri saw the dark hand of British imperialism over the constituent assembly's deliberations. This statement implies that the British government was trying to influence the proceedings of the constituent assembly in India. The constituent assembly was formed to draft the constitution of independent India, and the British government was not happy with the idea of India becoming a sovereign state.
How Did British Imperialism Influence the Constituent Assembly Deliberations?
The British government used various tactics to influence the constituent assembly's deliberations. Some of these tactics are:
1. Divide and Rule Policy: The British government tried to create divisions among the Indian leaders to weaken their resolve to demand independence. This policy was also used to create divisions among the members of the constituent assembly.
2. Delaying Tactics: The British government used delaying tactics to prevent the constituent assembly from functioning effectively. They tried to delay the proceedings by raising procedural issues and creating distractions.
3. Pressurizing Indian Leaders: The British government pressurized Indian leaders to agree to their terms. They threatened them with dire consequences if they did not agree to their demands.
4. Manipulating the Media: The British government manipulated the media to create a negative image of the Indian leaders and the constituent assembly. They spread false rumors and propaganda to discredit the Indian leaders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Somnath Lahiri saw the dark hand of British imperialism over the constituent assembly's deliberations. The British government used various tactics to influence the proceedings of the constituent assembly. However, despite these challenges, the Indian leaders were able to draft a constitution that reflected the aspirations of the Indian people. The constitution of India is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian people to fight against colonialism and imperialism.