The Constitution of India frames the rights, principles, procedures, restrictions and duties of the government as well as the people of India. Speaking to lawyers across the country at an event organised by Asia Pacific Lawyers Group, senior Supreme Court advocate and a prominent bar leader Ashok Bhan wished the citizens of India all over the globe a happy Samvidhan Diwas.
He said this day is a reminder to us that while Constitution gives rights to the citizens, frames principles, procedures, restrictions and duties for the government, at the same time it casts duties on citizens to follow the rule of law.
To safeguard democracy, Bhan said people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, their unity and oneness, and should insist upon choosing as their representatives only such persons who are honest, grounded, good, truthful and with firm faith in Constitutionalism.
Bhan said two independent countries came into being on the sub-continent on August 14 and 15, 1947. India has been a successful democracy and Constitutionalism has stood the test of being in active practise through institutions. The Indian judiciary has evolved as the apex custodian of protection of Human Rights and a check and balance for any colourable usage of executive powers. The Constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens’ justice, equality, and liberty and endeavors to promote fraternity. The Indian Constitution stood the test of time as India has been a successful democracy, unlike many other countries which had become independent at the same time.
Bhan said Constitution Day is observed every year in India. The day is also known as Samvidhan Diwas or National Law Day. Constitution Day is celebrated to commemorate the day when the Constitution of India was adopted.The National Law Day highlights the significance of the Indian Constitution in governing the country. Indians share Constitutional Day and Samvidhan Diwas wishes.
Since 2015 when the Government of India issued a gazette notification, this day is being celebrated as National Law Day. The year also marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution of India.
He further says, the National Law Day commemorates the pledge of Purna Swaraj, passed in the Lahore session of the Congress in 1930.