FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION CLASS 12- NCERT SOLUTIONS

1. What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?

Ans. Jawahar Lai Nehru presented the Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly on 13
December, 1946. It gave a brief account of the ideals and objectives of the Constitution. These
are following:
 India was declared an independent sovereign republic.
 Justice, equality and fraternity were assured to all the citizens of India.
 Adequate safeguards were provided to minorities. It also referred to the well-being of the
backward and depressed classes.
 It was made an objective that India would combine the liberal ideas of democracy with the
socialist idea of economic justice.
 India would adopt that form of government which would be acceptable to its people. No
imposition from the British would be acceptable by the people of India.
 India would work for peace and human welfare.

2. How was the term minority defined by different groups?

Ans.
1. N.G. Ranga, a socialist who had been a leader of the peasant movement, stated that the term
minorities be interpreted in economic terms. He emphasised that the real minorities were the
poor and the downtrodden i.e., the masses of this country. These include tribal people and
poor villagers who are exploited by moneylenders, zamindars, malguzar and other people.
2. Jaipal Singh, an Adibasi, stated that tribes were not a numerical minority but they needed
protection. They have been disgracefully treated and neglected for the last 6,000 years. They
have been perceived as primitive and backward.
3. Dakshayani Velayudhan from Madras refused to believe that seventy million Harijans were
to be considered as a minority but their social disabilities should be removed.
4. J. Nagappa from Madras pointed out that numerically the Depressed Castes were not a
minority. They formed between 20 and 25 per cent of the total population. They suffered
due to their systematic marginalisation.

3. What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?

Ans. K. Santhanam said that the powers should be adequately distributed between the states and
the centre.
a. He gave an argument that if the centre is provided with vast powers then its area of
responsibility will increase which can hinder its efficiency.
b. By sharing adequate responsibilities and powers both the centre and the state can work
effectively and carry out an efficient administration.
c. He criticised the provisions of the taxing powers that were inadequately distributed
among the state and the central governments. Most of the taxes except land revenue and one
or two more were to be decided by the centre.
d. He also raised apprehensions on the subjects of education, infrastructure development and
sanitation and felt that they should be entirely under the control of the state.
e. Santhanam said that more deliberations are required on the subject of the distribution of
power as it is very essential for the development of the state as well as the nation.

4. Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language?
Ans. Mahatma Gandhi thought that Hindustani should be the national language. It was a blend of
Hindi and Urdu and was a popular language of a large section of the people of India. Over the
years it had incorporated words and terms from very many different sources. It was understood
by people from various regions. Mahatma Gandhi thought that this multi-cultural language would
be the ideal language of communication between diverse communities. It could unify the Hindus
and Muslims, and people of the north and the south. He also stated that to confine oneself to
Hindi or Urdu would be a crime against intelligence and the spirit of patriotism.

5. What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?

Ans. Following are some historical forces which shaped the vision of the Constitution. Certain
basic values were accepted by all national leaders as a result of the Nehru Report and
the Fundamental Rights Resolution passed the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress.
Universal Adult Franchise, Right to Freedom and Equality and Protection of minority rights were
these basic values. After the results of 1937 elections, the Congress and other political parties
were able to form the governments in the provinces. This experience with legislative and political
institutions helped in developing an agreement over institutional design. Many colonial laws
were also the sources of the Indian Constitution. Government of India Act, 1935 was a major
one. This wray, the Indian Constitution adopted many institutional details and procedures from
the colonial laws.
The French Revolution also inspired the makers of the Constitution. The working of the
Parliamentary democracy in Britain and the Bill of Rights in the USA also inspired the framers of
the Constitution.

6. Discuss the different arguments made in favour of protection of the oppressed groups.
Ans. It was felt that oppressed classes like tribals and untouchables required special attention and
safeguards to enable them to raise their status and come to the level of the general population.
Tribals were regarded backward. They were not accepted well in society. They were almost
rejected. For their upliftment they were required to be assimilated in the society. They were also
required to be brought into the mainstream of the society. So special protection and care were
offered to them.
In society untouchables were treated as labourers. Society used their services but did not give
them respectable position. They were treated as outcast and kept isolated. Their sufferings were
due to their systematic marginalization.
Lands of the tribals have been confiscated and had been deprived of their forests and pastures.
Tribals and untouchables had no access to education. They did not take part in administration. So
some legislations were required to improve their conditions.

7. What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between
the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
Ans. On 15 of August 1947, India became independent from the British rule. It was declared an
independent country. But this independence was painful also. India was divided and Pakistan
came into existence. This partition was marred with communal violence. So many leaders like
Jawaharlal Nehru and Ambedkar favoured a strong Central Government for India. For their view
they referred riots and violence that were ripping the nation apart.
It was also felt that a strong centre was the need of the hour. Most of the members of the
constituent Assembly also supported this view. Any deviation from this might jeopardize the
interests of the nation. Peace, prosperity and political stability was not possible in case of a weak
centre. It would fail to coordinate vital matters of common concern.
So Gopalaswami Ayyangar appealed to all the members of the Constituent Assembly that” the
Centre should be made as strong as possible.”
It was also felt that only a strong and united centre could plan for the well-being of the country.
Balakrishna Sharma also stated the similar view. It was also felt that it would mobilize all the
resources , ensure strong defence against any aggressor and establish a proper administration.
Almost all the members of the Constituent Assembly supported a strong central government.
They felt that it was necessary to check chaos, communal violence and to usher economic
development of the country
8. How did the Constituent Assembly seek to resolve the language controversy?
Ans. India is very big country. It has many different regions. Different varieties of people live
here and speak different languages. So for a new nation like India it was necessary to give proper
attention to the intricacies of different languages.
Hindustani: Hindustani was a choice for the Congress and Mahatma Gandhi. Congress had
already decided to adopt Hindustani as the national language of the country. Mahatma Gandhi
was also in favour of adopting Hindustani as the national language and supported strongly for
this view. He argued that everyone should speak in a language which is understood by most of
the common people. Hindustani was not a new language. It was a blend of Hindi and Urdu. It
was enriched by the interaction of diverse cultures and spoken by most of the people of the
country.
Hindi: R.V. Dhulekar pleaded in favour of Hindi for adopting it as the national language. He
came from the United Province and a Congressman. He wanted that Hindi should be used as
language of constitution-making. He even said that those who did not know Hindustani were not
worthy to be the members of the Constituent Assembly.
Report of the Language Committee: The language Committee of the Constituent Assembly
suggested a compromise formula in its report. It suggested that Hindi in Devnagri script should
be the official language of the country and tried to resolve the issue. It also suggested that
transition from English to Hindi should be gradual. It was also suggested that during first fifteen
years since adoption of the Constitution, English would continue to serve as for official purposes.
So it was clear that the Language Committee referred Hindi as the official language not the
national language.
Threat to South: The members of the Constituent Assembly who belonged to the Southern India
were apprehensive of the view. They felt that Hindi would be a threat to their provincial
languages. Shankar Rao from Bombay. T.A. Ramalingam Chettiar and Mrs. G. Durgabai of
Madras suggested that issue of language required utmost care and needed to be handled
efficiently and dextrally. Hindi should not be thrust upon the people of South India.

FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION CLASS 12- IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH

ANSWERS
1. The discussion with the constituent assembly was also influenced by the opinion expressed by
the public. Examine the statement.
2. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the objectives resolution in the constituent assembly on
13th December 1946. Assess the values of objective resolution
or
Why was objective resolution introduced in the constituent assembly considered a moment as
resolution. Explain
3. Describe the different arguments made in paper of protection of the depressed classes in the
constituent assembly
or
Examine the recommendations of the constituent assembly of India regarding the protection
protection given to the depressed castes
4. Why did some of a leaders advocate a strong Centre during the debate in the constituent
assembly on the proposed Federal structure of Indian state. Explain
5. Describe the three lists of federalism provided by the drafting committee in constituent
assembly
6. Examine the views of Mahatma Gandhi on the question of national language for the country
7. Describe the role of BR Ambedkar in highlighting the approach of strong and United centre in
constituent assembly
8. Describe the aspirations of 19th century social reformers express in the constituent assembly
the ideas of RV dhulekar on the issue of national language in constituent assembly
9. Explain the role of Dr BR Ambedkar in the constitution assembly of India
10. Explain the role of Govind Ballabh Pant on the unified Nation in the constituent assembly
OR
Why did G B Pant consider the demand for separate electorate harmful for minorities and
Nation . explain
11. Explain how the constitution of India protect the rights of Central Government and States
12. Within the constituent assembly of India the language issue was intensely debated. Examine
the views put forward by the members of assembly on this issue
13. Most of the members of constituent assembly where against the idea separate electorates in
India. Exam in the statement
14. What was the final consensus of the constituent assembly on the issue of Language of the
Union
15. Explain the significance of the Objective Resolution proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru.
16. What were the major concerns raised by B.R. Ambedkar regarding social justice in the
Constitution?
17. How did the Constituent Assembly ensure the representation of diverse communities and
interests?
18. Describe the role of women in the framing of the Indian Constitution.
19. Discuss the challenges faced by the Constituent Assembly while drafting the Constitution.
Source-Based Question
20. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
"The Constitution is not a mere lawyers' document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always
the spirit of the age."
— B.R. Ambedkar
a) What does B.R. Ambedkar mean by calling the Constitution a "vehicle of life"?
b) How does this statement reflect the dynamic nature of the Indian Constitution?
c) Provide an example of an amendment or judicial interpretation that reflects the changing needs
of society.
Essay-Type Questions
21. Critically analyze the debates on federalism during the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
22. How did the Indian Constitution balance the ideas of parliamentary sovereignty and
fundamental rights?
23. Discuss the importance of secularism in the Indian Constitution. How was it debated in the
Constituent Assembly?
24. Compare the Indian Constitution with the American and British Constitutions. What unique
features make it stand out?