2.1 Meaning, Importance and Need of the Constitution
Constitution is essential for the orderly administration of any country and for the protection of its citizens' rights. The fundamental laws, rules and provisions formulated for the governance of a country are collectively referred to as the ‘Constitution’.
A Constitution is necessary for the orderly administration of every country. This means that a country needs a proper system for running its administration. The Constitution is also necessary for protecting the rights of the citizens of that country. For governing a country, certain fundamental laws, rules and provisions are formulated. When all these fundamental laws, rules and provisions are taken together, they are collectively called the ‘Constitution’.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution Basic laws and rules of a country |
संविधान – देशाचे मूलभूत कायदे व नियम | संविधान – देश के मूलभूत कानून और नियम |
| Essential Very necessary |
आवश्यक – अत्यंत गरजेचे | आवश्यक – बहुत जरूरी |
| Orderly administration Proper and organised running of a country |
व्यवस्थित प्रशासन – देशाचा कारभार योग्य पद्धतीने चालवणे | व्यवस्थित प्रशासन – देश का कामकाज उचित ढंग से चलाना |
| Protection Keeping safe |
संरक्षण – सुरक्षित ठेवणे | संरक्षण – सुरक्षित रखना |
| Citizens’ rights Rights belonging to citizens |
नागरिकांचे हक्क – नागरिकांना मिळालेले अधिकार | नागरिकों के अधिकार – नागरिकों को मिले अधिकार |
| Fundamental Basic and most important |
मूलभूत – बुनियादी आणि महत्त्वाचे | मूलभूत – बुनियादी और महत्वपूर्ण |
| Governance The way a country is governed |
शासन – देशाचा कारभार चालवण्याची पद्धत | शासन – देश का प्रशासन चलाने की पद्धति |
The primary reasons for the necessity of a constitution are as follows:
1. Framework of Rules and Order: The Constitution serves as the supreme source of laws within a country. People belonging to diverse castes, religions and schools of thought coexist within a society. To maintain harmony among them and to determine how the country should be governed, certain fundamental rules are required. The Constitution provides this very framework of rules.
The Constitution is the supreme source of laws within a country. This means that it provides the highest and most important framework of laws for the country. In a society, people belong to different castes, different religions and different schools of thought. Even though they are different from one another, they live together in the same society. Therefore, certain fundamental rules are needed to maintain harmony among all these people. Such basic rules are also needed to decide how the country should be governed. The Constitution provides this framework of rules and helps establish the basic order needed for governing the country.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Framework A basic structure |
चौकट – मूलभूत रचना | ढांचा – मूलभूत संरचना |
| Supreme Highest or most important |
सर्वोच्च – सर्वांत उच्च | सर्वोच्च – सबसे ऊँचा |
| Diverse Different from one another |
विविध – एकमेकांपेक्षा वेगळे | विविध – एक-दूसरे से अलग |
| Coexist Live together |
सहअस्तित्वात राहणे – एकत्र राहणे | साथ रहना – एक साथ रहना |
| Harmony Peaceful relationship |
सामंजस्य – शांततापूर्ण संबंध | सामंजस्य – शांतिपूर्ण संबंध |
2. Limitations on Government Powers: In the absence of a constitution, the government could potentially misuse its power. The Constitution clearly defines the government's powers and imposes limitations upon them.
If a country does not have a Constitution, there is a possibility that the government could misuse the power it has. The Constitution therefore clearly defines the powers of the government. It also places limitations on those powers. In this way, the government knows what powers it has, and those powers are not allowed to be used without limits.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Absence When something is not present |
अनुपस्थिती – एखादी गोष्ट नसणे | अनुपस्थिति – किसी चीज का न होना |
| Potentially Possibly |
संभाव्यतः – शक्यतो | संभावित रूप से – संभवतः |
| Misuse Use something wrongly |
गैरवापर – चुकीच्या पद्धतीने वापर | दुरुपयोग – गलत तरीके से उपयोग |
| Limitations Restrictions or limits |
मर्यादा – बंधने किंवा सीमा | सीमाएँ – बंधन या सीमाएँ |
3. Protection of Citizens’ Rights: The Constitution grants certain fundamental rights to the citizens and ensures their protection. (Such as – Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Movement)
The Constitution gives citizens certain fundamental rights. These are basic rights that citizens are entitled to have. The Constitution also ensures that these rights are protected. The textbook gives Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Movement as examples of such rights. Therefore, the Constitution not only grants certain fundamental rights to citizens but also ensures their protection.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Grants Gives |
प्रदान करते – देते | प्रदान करता है – देता है |
| Fundamental rights Basic rights of citizens |
मूलभूत हक्क – नागरिकांचे मूलभूत अधिकार | मौलिक अधिकार – नागरिकों के बुनियादी अधिकार |
| Freedom of Expression Freedom to express one's views |
अभिव्यक्ती स्वातंत्र्य – आपले विचार व्यक्त करण्याचे स्वातंत्र्य | अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता – अपने विचार व्यक्त करने की स्वतंत्रता |
| Freedom of Movement Freedom to move |
हालचालीचे स्वातंत्र्य – मुक्तपणे हालचाल करण्याचे स्वातंत्र्य | आवागमन की स्वतंत्रता – स्वतंत्र रूप से आने-जाने की स्वतंत्रता |
4. Separation of Power: The Constitution divides the machinery of governance into three key components.
Legislature: The body responsible for formulating laws is called the Legislature.
Executive: The body responsible for implementing laws is called the Executive.
Judiciary: The body responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice is called the Judiciary.
The Constitution divides the machinery of governance into three important components. This means that the work of governing the country is divided among three different bodies. The first body is the Legislature. Its responsibility is to formulate, or make, laws. The second body is the Executive. Its responsibility is to implement, or put into practice, the laws. The third body is the Judiciary. Its responsibility is to interpret the laws and administer justice. Thus, the Legislature formulates laws, the Executive implements laws, and the Judiciary interprets laws and administers justice.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Separation of Power Division of governing powers |
सत्तेचे विभाजन – शासनाच्या अधिकारांची विभागणी | सत्ता का विभाजन – शासन के अधिकारों का विभाजन |
| Machinery of governance The system used to govern a country |
शासन यंत्रणा – देशाचा कारभार चालवणारी व्यवस्था | शासन व्यवस्था – देश का प्रशासन चलाने वाली व्यवस्था |
| Legislature Body responsible for making laws |
विधिमंडळ – कायदे तयार करणारी संस्था | विधायिका – कानून बनाने वाली संस्था |
| Executive Body responsible for implementing laws |
कार्यपालिका – कायद्यांची अंमलबजावणी करणारी संस्था | कार्यपालिका – कानून लागू करने वाली संस्था |
| Judiciary Body responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice |
न्यायपालिका – कायद्यांचा अर्थ लावून न्याय देणारी संस्था | न्यायपालिका – कानून की व्याख्या करके न्याय देने वाली संस्था |
| Administering justice Giving justice |
न्यायदान करणे – न्याय देणे | न्याय प्रदान करना – न्याय देना |
5. Protection of Minority Interests: In a democracy, the majority is respected; however, Constitution ensures that the majority group cannot inflict injustice upon minorities. It is the responsibility of the Constitution to safeguard their language, culture and educational rights.
In a democracy, the majority group is respected. However, even though the majority is respected, it cannot be allowed to do injustice to minority groups. The Constitution ensures that the majority group cannot inflict injustice upon minorities. The Constitution has the responsibility of safeguarding the rights and interests of minorities. In particular, it protects their language, culture and educational rights.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Minority A smaller group in a society |
अल्पसंख्याक – समाजातील संख्येने कमी असलेला गट | अल्पसंख्यक – समाज में संख्या में कम समूह |
| Majority The larger group |
बहुसंख्याक – संख्येने मोठा गट | बहुसंख्यक – संख्या में बड़ा समूह |
| Inflict injustice Do injustice to someone |
अन्याय करणे – एखाद्यावर अन्याय करणे | अन्याय करना – किसी के साथ अन्याय करना |
| Safeguard Protect |
संरक्षण करणे – सुरक्षित ठेवणे | सुरक्षा करना – सुरक्षित रखना |
6. Clarifying National Goals and Values: The direction in which the nation is to be steered becomes evident through the ‘Preamble’ of the Constitution. For instance, Constitution of India has adopted the goals of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
The constitution is a ‘soul’ of India, which keeps democracy alive in our country.
The Constitution also makes the national goals and values clear. The direction in which the nation is to be guided can be understood through the ‘Preamble’ of the Constitution. The Preamble therefore helps us understand the goals towards which the nation is to be guided. In the case of India, the Constitution has adopted the goals of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
The textbook then describes the Constitution as the ‘soul’ of India. In this context, the Constitution is called the ‘soul’ because it keeps democracy alive in our country.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Clarifying Making something clear |
स्पष्ट करणे – एखादी गोष्ट स्पष्ट करणे | स्पष्ट करना – किसी बात को स्पष्ट करना |
| National goals Goals of the nation |
राष्ट्रीय उद्दिष्टे – राष्ट्राची उद्दिष्टे | राष्ट्रीय लक्ष्य – राष्ट्र के लक्ष्य |
| Values Important principles or ideals |
मूल्ये – महत्त्वाची तत्त्वे | मूल्य – महत्वपूर्ण सिद्धांत |
| Preamble Introduction stating the aims of the Constitution |
प्रस्तावना – संविधानाची उद्दिष्टे सांगणारा प्रारंभिक भाग | प्रस्तावना – संविधान के उद्देश्यों को बताने वाला प्रारंभिक भाग |
| Justice Fair treatment |
न्याय – योग्य व निष्पक्ष वागणूक | न्याय – उचित और निष्पक्ष व्यवहार |
| Liberty Freedom |
स्वातंत्र्य – मोकळेपणाने वागण्याचे स्वातंत्र्य | स्वतंत्रता – आजादी |
| Equality Equal treatment |
समता – समान वागणूक | समानता – समान व्यवहार |
| Fraternity Feeling of brotherhood |
बंधुता – बंधुभाव | बंधुता – भाईचारे की भावना |
Formulate a set of rules to maintain peace and discipline within your classroom.
The following rules can help maintain peace and discipline in the classroom:
- Students should listen carefully when the teacher is teaching.
- Students should maintain silence during the lesson.
- Students should respect their teacher and classmates.
- Students should keep the classroom clean.
- Students should follow the classroom rules and instructions.
- Students should not disturb other students while they are studying.
2.1.1 Types of Constitutions
Broadly speaking, there are two types of constitutions: Written and Unwritten.
Written: When all the fundamental rules, laws and principles required to govern a nation are systematically compiled into a single document or a specific set of written documents, it is termed a ‘Written Constitution’. Examples: India, USA.
Unwritten: When the rules required to govern a nation have not been drafted collectively by a specific Constituent Assembly at a particular point in time, it is termed an ‘Unwritten Constitution.' Example: Britain (United Kingdom)
Broadly speaking, there are two types of Constitutions: Written and Unwritten. A Written Constitution is one in which all the fundamental rules, laws and principles required to govern a nation are systematically collected and arranged. These rules, laws and principles are compiled into one single document or into a specific set of written documents. Such a Constitution is called a ‘Written Constitution’. The textbook gives India and the USA as examples of countries with Written Constitutions.
An Unwritten Constitution is different. In this type, the rules required to govern a nation have not been collectively drafted by a specific Constituent Assembly at one particular point in time. Such a Constitution is called an ‘Unwritten Constitution’. The textbook gives Britain, or the United Kingdom, as an example.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Broadly speaking Generally |
व्यापक अर्थाने – सर्वसाधारणपणे | व्यापक रूप से – सामान्यतः |
| Systematically compiled Collected and arranged in an organised way |
पद्धतशीरपणे संकलित – व्यवस्थितपणे एकत्र केलेले | व्यवस्थित रूप से संकलित – क्रमबद्ध तरीके से एकत्र किया हुआ |
| Specific Particular or clearly identified |
विशिष्ट – ठरावीक किंवा स्पष्ट | विशिष्ट – निश्चित या स्पष्ट |
| Drafted Written or prepared |
मसुदा तयार केलेला – लिहून तयार केलेला | मसौदा तैयार किया गया – लिखकर तैयार किया गया |
| Constituent Assembly An assembly formed to frame a Constitution |
संविधान सभा – संविधान तयार करणारी सभा | संविधान सभा – संविधान बनाने वाली सभा |
| Written Constitution A Constitution compiled in written document(s) |
लिखित संविधान – लिखित दस्तऐवजात संकलित केलेले संविधान | लिखित संविधान – लिखित दस्तावेज में संकलित संविधान |
| Unwritten Constitution A Constitution not collectively drafted at one particular time |
अलिखित संविधान – एका विशिष्ट वेळी सामूहिकरीत्या तयार न केलेले संविधान | अलिखित संविधान – एक निश्चित समय पर सामूहिक रूप से तैयार न किया गया संविधान |
In which countries do written and unwritten constitutions exist? Find this information using the internet and discuss it in the class.
According to the examples given in the textbook, a Written Constitution exists in India and the USA, while an Unwritten Constitution exists in Britain (United Kingdom).
2.2 The Process of Framing of the Indian Constitution
Considering India's vast geographical expanse, large population and cultural diversity, governing the country without a constitution is a difficult task. A constitution is essential for establishing a democratic system within a country.
India has a very large geographical area, a large population and great cultural diversity. Because of these features, governing the country without a Constitution would be a difficult task. Therefore, a Constitution is essential for establishing a democratic system within the country.
| English Word / Phrase | मराठी अर्थ | हिंदी अर्थ |
|---|---|---|
| Geographical expanse Large geographical area |
भौगोलिक विस्तार – मोठा भौगोलिक प्रदेश | भौगोलिक विस्तार – बड़ा भौगोलिक क्षेत्र |
| Cultural diversity Different cultures within a country |
सांस्कृतिक विविधता – विविध संस्कृती असणे | सांस्कृतिक विविधता – अलग-अलग संस्कृतियों का होना |
| Governing Managing or ruling a country |
शासन करणे – देशाचा कारभार चालवणे | शासन करना – देश का प्रशासन चलाना |
| Democratic system A system based on democracy |
लोकशाही व्यवस्था – लोकशाहीवर आधारित व्यवस्था | लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था – लोकतंत्र पर आधारित व्यवस्था |
| Essential Very necessary |
आवश्यक – अत्यंत गरजेचे | आवश्यक – बहुत जरूरी |