Remembering Rajendra Prasad's contribution to India's Constitution

Dr Rajendra Prasad, India's first President, played a crucial role in the framing of the Indian Constitution, as it was under his guidance that it was framed successfully within a period of three years.

New Delhi: Regarded as one of the lengthiest written constitutions in the world, the Constitution of India was developed by a group of visionaries, one among them being Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.

This legendary personality was one among the 36 individuals who were inducted into the Constituent Assembly of India from Bihar. Later, he was elected as the permanent chairperson of the Assembly on December 11, 1946.

In an interaction with ETV Bharat, Prasad's granddaughter Tara Sinha said that the role of Dr Prasad in framing the Indian Constitution has never been discussed.

Sinha also said that it was under the guidance of Prasad that the Constitution was framed successfully within a period of three years stating that the first impression in the Constitution was that of Dr Prasad. Sinha also asserted that there is less information amongst the common people with regard to the framing of this historic document.

She expressed her disappointment over the fact that despite playing a pivotal role in framing India's supreme law, Dr Prasad has hardly become a part of the narrative.

Political analyst, DM Diwakar, the former director of A N Sinha Institute for Social Studies spoke about the challenge of creating a balance between the South and North in the Indian constitution post-colonial rule.

He said, "Dr Prasad's contribution in this regard is unforgettable. The integrity with which the Constitution was framed keeping in mind the present, as well as future aspects, was possible only because of Dr Prasad's involvement."

Diwakar believes that whatever crucial decision or rights incorporated in the Indian Constitution had Dr Prasad's consent and contribution in it.

Manoj Verma, Chairperson of the Rajendra Memorial Museum opined that Prasad's contribution in the Indian Constitution was bigger than any other visionary.

The framing of the Constitution began from December 13, 1946, and ended in December 1949. The Assembly of India consisted of 389 members representing 292 provinces, 93 states and three Chief Commissioner provinces and Baluchistan.

However, the Assembly's core strength came down to 299 members after the Muslim league members withdrew following the partition of the country.