The Indian Republic Day is a spectacular event celebrated with more pomp and zeal than their Independence Day celebrations.
It is a less decorated event confined to the Prime Minister’s address from the Red Fort in Delhi. By all means, the Indian Republic Day deserves its glamour by virtue of its perennial contribution to the nation’s development to its modern advanced status. The Constitution of India is the rule book that binds the vast terrain of the subcontinent from Kashmir to Kanyakumari as a knitted union. The day that the Constitution came into effect was on January 26, 1950 and the Constitution itself was a product of the laborious task of the Indian polymath Ambedkar.
When other contemporary newly independent States felt hesitant to detach from the British empire by lingering in dominion status, India tirelessly fought for its complete Independence as Nehru advocated for the notion of Purna Swaraj even during the days of the anti-colonial struggle. However, it needs to be understood that forming a conventional republic by emulating the Western model was never a vision that Gandhi campaigned for. In his deeper philosophical mind, the historical destiny of the Indian Congress intended to be over, once the British departed from India.
As a committed anarchist, Gandhi believed in people’s empowerment and decentralisation of state powers to the villagers, which was in stark contrast to the modern concept of a nation-state. Yet, the realistic vision blended with the quasi idealism of Nehru and a staunch statesman of the likes of Sardar Patel spared the young nation from such a whimsical idea by forming the foundation for a strong state.
Single entity
The Republican notion was not a newborn one for a civilisational state such as India, with its rich historical illustrations depicting the existence of Republics in the times of Licchavis kings. What the leaders of modern India expected was to frame a system which would sustain the young nation as a single entity without losing its multiple diversities.
Nehru prudently realised the greatest challenges that loomed before the Congress government from economic development to preservation of sovereignty. He was equally aware of the potential of India and its historical mission. Thus, balancing the nations within the discontent was the goal that he strived to achieve.
Being a pragmatist devoid of prejudices Nehru chose the best minds to realise the vision of the Republic, which certainly rewarded the nation in its longer and firmer existence. His choice of Sardar Patel as the iron hand behind the territorial unity of the union accomplished the acquisition of princely states to the newly independent India and his faith in Krishna Menon was an apt choice for international diplomacy, in which Menon proved his brilliance. Ambedkar played a Himalayan role in drafting the Constitution which brought the idea of a Republic into reality.
According to Constitutional historian MP Singh, the British Government even provided the service of its legendary constitutional expert Sir Ivor Jennings to draft India’s Constitution which was mockingly ignored by Ambedkar. The latter’s denial of Jennings’ intervention in the Constitutional drafting process reflected India’s sincere desire to be free, even from the ideological attachment to the British. And it is a sheer irony that the revered Constitution authored by Jennings for Ceylon praising it to be a perfect model for a Dominion state could not sustain for thirty years. Also, it raised serious questions about the Government’s apathy in safeguarding human rights and its attachment to the British was a pure mockery of the Independence that Ceylon got in 1948.
The Republic Day celebrated by every Indian on January 26, 1950, marked a significant moment in forging the unity of the Union of India, benefiting all communities involved. The documented history of the Constituent Assembly’s debates provides a vivid picture of the intellectual discussions pursued by the committee. The importance of each community was recognised to uphold the legitimacy of the Constitution of India.
In this regard, the Indian Constitution can be viewed as an indigenous document created with the participation of diverse groups. Both Ambedkar and Nehru were aware of the deep-rooted issues within Indian society, such as the caste system, religious violence and social stagnation.
Addressing these challenges was no easy task for any constitutional scholar. However, Ambedkar navigated these complexities with great skill through the Constitution. He introduced a secular framework that made no specific reference to any religion, a move that may have irked Hindu nationalists. In his defence, Ambedkar demonstrated how secular traditions existed even within the Charvaka philosophical system in India. His concept of the separation of religion and individual identity proved to be a monumental success for the longevity of the Republic.
The Republic of India has faced significant challenges since its inception. One notable concern was the economic model introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, known as the Nehru Mahalanobis strategy. This strategy sought to increase per capita income through strong industrialisation but critics argued that it hindered economic development in the short term. Despite these concerns, Nehru’s vision of self-sustainability and industrialisation ultimately contributed to the nation’s growth.
When India finally adopted an open economy—after Sri Lanka—the manufacturing sector remained robust. During the 1960s, tensions arose between the Hindi-speaking belt in the North and the South, particularly when Tamil politicians of the likes of C.N. Annadurai advocated for the secession of Tamil Nadu from the Indian Union.
Four wars
The North-Eastern states faced isolation, leading to separatist movements often supported by Pakistani intelligence.
The Kashmir issue also resulted in four wars with Pakistan, while the Khalistan movement in Punjab further challenged the founding fathers’ vision of maintaining India as a Republic. Despite these dark days, India has preserved its unity, largely due to the spirit of its Constitution and the effectiveness of its civil service, which serves as a crucial pillar of the state apparatus. Today, as the Republic of India celebrates its 75th anniversary, it stands stronger and plays a more significant role in global affairs. Renowned Indian diplomat Shashi Tharoor has suggested that ‘PaxIndica’ could become a reality, thanks to the advancement India has made in the economy, science and technology.
The writer is a lecturer at the Department of International Law, Faculty of Law, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
