STRONG AT THE CENTRE

India’s Constitution, the world’s longest, is the soul of the Republic and an armour for its people

- GYANESH KUDAISYA

PARADOXES and ironies abound as the Republic celebrates the 70th anniversary of its Constitution. In earlier times, the Dalits turned the book into an icon, held tightly in Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s hand, as hun­ dreds of his statue, cast in stone and metal, appeared in parks, streets and public places across India. Now, the Preamble, starting with those magical words, ‘We the People’, is being recited at protest marches and rallies by multitudes across the country’s length and breadth. In the words of historian Rohit De, the Constitution has become a flame, a blazing symbol of people’s hopes. It has also become a protective armour for citizens fearful of being divested of their rights. Perhaps, never in human history has a constitution evoked such popular senti­ments, becoming a focal point for mobilising millions, giving them a rallying cry!

Seventy years ago, when the Constitution came into eff­ect, the mood was of unbounded optimism. Impressive ceremonies and festivities heralded the birth of the Republic. These included a 31­gun salute to the President, Rajendra Prasad, who took the oath of office in Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar Hall. Later in the day, he took part in a ceremonial parade seated in an open horse­drawn coach, which proceeded along Delhi’s Kingsway and Connaught Place, with over 3,000 military personnel in procession and a column of IAF aircraft performing a flypast over­ head. New Delhi wore a festive look, its streets and build­ ings decorated with buntings, flowers and flags.