Constitution Day 2023: India is celebrating Constitution Day or Samvidhan Divas on November 26 honoring the people who structure the Constitution of India. This signifies the historic day when the Constituent Assembly, entrusted with drafting the law of the land, adopted India's constitution in 1949. The Constitution of India came into force on Jan 26, 1950 -- celebrated as Republic Day. It was earlier observed as Law Day but the Central government, in 2015, modified it as Constitution Day.
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on November 19, 2015 notified the decision of the Government of India to celebrate the 26th day of November every year as 'Constitution Day' to promote Constitution values among citizens, says the myGov.in website.
It further says, "Constitution Day also known as 'Samvidhan Divas', is celebrated in our country on 26th November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26th November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect from 26th January 1950."
- Notably, 2023 is the year marking the 132nd birth anniversary of the chairman of the drafting committee, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Known for fighting for the rights of the downtrodden, Ambedkar chaired the drafting committee through the framing period of 2 years, 11 months and 17 days -- making the Indian constitution the longest written constitution of the day.
- To mark the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar on the Supreme Court premises. According to PTI, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal paid their tributes to the father of the Indian Constitution and offered flowers to the over 7-feet tall sculpture.
- The statue of BR Ambedkar, in a lawyer's dress, is 7 feet tall and stands on a 3-foot base. A copy of the Constitution is seen on his hand.