New Delhi: Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas is celebrated annually in India on 26 November. The day is also known as National Law Day. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution in India.
On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India that came into force on 26 January 1950.
Two months after its adaption, the Indian Constitution became effective on January 26, replacing the government of India act as the country's fundamental governing document.
Why is Constitution Day celebrated on November 26?
Constitution Day is celebrated in India on November 26 every year. On this day, back in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The Constitution Day is celebrated as a mark of tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the first law minister of India, who played an important role in the framing of the Indian Constitution.
The declaration regarding the Constitution Day was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 — the year that marked the 125th anniversary of BR Ambedkar, who chaired the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly.
The announcement in this regard was made by the Prime Minister while he laid the foundation stone of the BR Ambedkar's Statue of Equality memorial in Mumbai. Ambedkar is recognised as the 'Father of the Constitution'. Prior to the announcement of the Constitution Day, November 26 was celebrated as the Law Day.
Significance of the Constitution Day
The day aims at highlighting the significance of the Indian constitution and to spread thoughts and ideas of BR Ambedkar. The Indian constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly over a 165-day period. Our constitution sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens, and declares India a sovereign, secular, socialist, and democratic republic.
We, being the loyal citizens of our country, know the reason behind the celebration. On 26th January 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect to administrate the country as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.
But actually, the constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and hence India celebrates November 26 as Constitution Day.
Indian Constitution came into effect (officially into a legal circulation) on 26th of January in 1950, at 10:18 am after which India became a Republic country.
Read: Mamata pays tribute to B R Ambedkar on Constitution Day
