Key Concepts - Constitutional Design (Practice) - Class 9 PDF Download

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

• Nelson Mandela, the South African leader of the African National Congress, fought a long battle against Apartheid.A Statue of Nelson Mandela pictured outside the Parliament 
  • Imprisoned for 28 years (1964–1992) emerged as the First President of the Republic of South Africa.
  • People struggled against the horrible discrimination practiced against them by the white minority rulers.
  • Apartheid finally defeated in 1994 and a new constitution made in 1996.
  • Remarkable constitution, forgot past sufferings, sought the co-operation of all the races which make S. Africa based on equality, democratic values, and social justice.

Do We Need a Constitution?

• Yes. A constitution has written laws accepted by people living together in a country.
• It generates trust and co-ordination.
• It specifies how a government should be constituted.
• It lays down limits on the powers of the government.
• It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

Making of the Indian Constitution

• The process began during the national struggle for freedom.
• First draft 1928, then 1931. Motilal Nehru and 8 leaders demanded in the draft: universal adult franchise, social justice, right to freedom, and liberty.
• Participation in Provincial Legislatures helped Indians in framing their constitution.
• Leaders inspired by the French Revolution, the British parliamentary system, and the Bill of Rights of the US.
• They also learned what the British were denying Indian citizens.

First Constituent Assembly of India

➢ The Constituent Assembly

• Elections to the Constituent Assembly held in July 1946.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar appointed chairman of the drafting committee.
• Constitution adopted on 26 November 1949, and enacted on 26 January 1950, when India became a republic.
• The Constitution reflects the best minds of the country. Its members represented mini-India. Every law was debated clause by clause and a consensus arrived at.
• It is the longest written constitution.