Constitutional Design Class 9 Notes

The chapter “Constitutional Design” in Class 9 Political Science explains how the Indian Constitution was framed after independence. It highlights the struggles faced during the drafting process, the importance of the Constituent Assembly, and how democratic principles were embedded in the Constitution.

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Constitutional Design Class 9 Notes

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

Nelson Mandela said, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”

Nelson Mandela believed in a fair and equal society for everyone. He understands the injustice, whether it comes from white or Black rulers. He believes that all people live together peacefully with equal chances in life.

Struggle against Apartheid

What was apartheid?

Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination in South Africa. It was created by white European rulers. In apartheid people were divided by skin colour like:

Whites: Rulers with full rights
Blacks: Native majority, 3/4 of the population
Coloureds: Mixed-race people
Indians: Migrants from India

Non-whites were treated as inferior. They do not have voting rights, and they are not allowed to live in white areas. This system of complete separation is called segregation. In 1950, Blacks, Coloureds and Indians began to protest and strike. The African National Congress (ANC) led the movement. Many countries around the world condemned apartheid, but the white government responded with violence, arrest, torture and killings.

Why does this matter?

The fight against apartheid was a fight for equality, justice and democracy. It shows that freedom is never given; it must be fought for. It reminds us that real democracy means equal rights for all, not just elections.

Towards a new constitution

After years of protest and struggle, the white government understood that through force they will no longer rule in South Africa. They have changed the laws: removed discriminatory rules and allowed political parties and free media. In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from jail after 28 years in prison. On 26 April 1994, South Africa became a democracy, and a new national flag was raised.

Creating a New Constitution

The oppressors and the freedom fighters work together and write a common constitution. After two years of discussion, they created one of the most inclusive constitutions in the world. The constitution gives extensive rights to all citizens, whether they are Black or white, men or women. Democracy is not just about voting; it is about healing, inclusion and shared responsibility. South Africa’s story shows how dialogue, forgiveness and courage can build a better future.

Why do we need a Constitution?

South Africa is a good example of why we need a constitution. After the constitution in South Africa, the Blacks and white persons lived together as equals; both had fears and wanted to protect their interests. They compromise and decide on one person, one vote; rights for the poor; and protection for minorities. The constitution helps to:

First, it generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of people to live together;
Second, it specifies how the government will be constituted and who will have power to take which decisions.
Third, it lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are;
Fourth, it expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

A constitution is not only for a country; it is also for clubs, societies and parties. These rules should be fair, inclusive and democratic. A constitution does many things:

Making of the Indian Constitution

After British rule, India became independent. People shifting from colonial rule to the citizens, where every individual has rights and responsibilities. The country was divided in 1947, and this was called partition. India split into India and Pakistan based on religion. India had many princely states ruled by kings, and the British gave the kingsto join India or Pakistan or stay independent countries. Getting all these states to merge with India was difficult and uncertain. The Indian constitution unified the country, protected the rights of individuals, built trust among different communities and guided the future of India.

The path to the Constitution

The Indian constitution vision comes from the freedom struggle, which was not just against British rule; it was also about changing society. India’s constitution was not made in a hurry; it was built on years of thinking, struggle and learning. In 1928, Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders made a committee that prepared the Nehru Report; this was the first major attempt to draft a constitution for India. In 1931, the Karachi session of Congress passed a resolution about the Indian future. These values were accepted by almost all leaders, even before the constitution was officially written.

The Indian constitution is taken from different countries from around the world, like: Indian leaders studied different country constitutions to make the final Indian constitution draft. But leaders did not copy blindly. They asked what suited India and made independent choices.

French Revolution (liberty, equality, fraternity)
British Parliament (democratic practices)
US Bill of Rights (citizens’ freedoms)
Russian Revolution (social and economic equality)

The Constituent Assembly

The Constitution was written by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly has 299 members. The first meeting was held in December 1946. After the partition the assembly was divided into:

Constituent Assembly of India
Constituent Assembly of Pakistan

The Indian Assembly worked for 3 years over 114 days of discussion. Dr B. R. Ambedkar led the Draughting Committee. In the constituion there wereconstitution over 2000 amendments. Every word spoken was recorded and preserved in the Constituent Assembly Debates (12 volumes). The Indian constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949. It came into effect on 26 January 1950. We celebrate Republic Day on 26 January every year to honour the adoption and implementation of the Constitution of India.

Guiding values of the Indian Constitution

What is a preamble?

The preamble is the soul of the constitution. It explains why the constitution was made and what kind of country we want to build. The preamble includes key ideas like:

Justice (social, economic, and political)
Liberty (freedom of thought, expression, belief)
Equality (equal status and opportunity)
Fraternity (brotherhood and unity among all citizens)
It also declares India to be:
- Sovereign (independent)
- Socialist
- Secular
- Democratic
- Republic

The Dream and the Promise

The three great thinkers behind India’s constitutional philosophy are:

Mahatma Gandhi (The visionary): Mahatma Gandhi was not a part of the constituent assembly, but his ideas deeply influenced many members. Mahatma Gandhi wrote Young India, which tells about equality and every person living with dignity.
Dr B. R. Ambedkar (The Architect): Ambedkar was the Chairman of the draughting committee. He shared Gandhi’s dream of equality but with a different approach. He also believes in legal rights, social justice and ending caste discrimination. He criticised Gandhi’s methods, especially on caste issues.
Jawaharlal Nehru (the statesman): Nehru gave the famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech at midnight on 15 August 1947. His speech has hope, pain and the promiseice of a newly independent India. Nehru believed in modern institutions, scientific progress and secular democracy.

Philosophy of the Constitution

The values in the Preamble were born during the freedom struggle. Leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar and others fought not only for independence but also for a justice and equal society. These values become the foundation of Indian democracy. The preamble tells us the purpose, values and goals of the constitution.

Institutional design

The Constitution is not just a list of values like justice or equality. It turns those values into real systems. In the constitution, a long and detailed document which explains:

How leaders are chosen
Who has what powers
What the government can and cannot do
What rights every citizen has

The constitution is written in legal language, and the basic structure is simple.

Social Science Class 9 Notes

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