Notes Class 9 Civics Chapter 2 Constitutional Design

The following topics from this chapter are being highlighted the most in the previous 3 year’s examinations and thereby hold significant importance.

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

Nelson Mandela, the South African leader of African National Congress, fought a long battle against Apartheid.
Imprisoned for 28 years (1964-1992) emerged as the first President of the Republic of South Africa.
People struggled against the horrible discrimination practised against them by the white minority rulers.
Apartheid system began to fall apart in the 1980s. Finally; in 1994, the first free multiracial elections were held.
Remarkable constitution, forgot past sufferings, sought co-operation of all the races which made South Africa based on equality, democratic values and social justice.

Do We Need A Constitution?

Yes. A constitution has written laws accepted by people living together in a country.
It generates trust and coordination.
It specifies how a government should be constituted.
It lays down limits on the powers of the government.
It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

Making of the Indian Constitution

From 1858 onwards, the British Government passed many Acts for the government of India but could not satisfy Indian aspiration.
The demand for a Constitution was first raised in 1934 by the Indian National Congress.
In 1938, Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the demand for a Constituent Assembly.
In 1942, the British Government recognized that Indians should frame a new Constitution by themselves.
Participation in Provincial Legislatures helped Indians in framing their Constitution.
The Leaders were inspired by the French Revolution, British Parliamentary System and the Bill of Rights of the US.
They also learnt what the British were denying Indian citizens.

The Constituent Assembly

Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
The Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949, and enacted on 26th January 1950, when India became a Republic state.
The Constitution reflects the best minds of the country. The Constituent Assembly was called Mini- India.
Every law was debated clause by clause and a consensus arrived at.
It is the longest written Constitution in the world.