New Delhi: The history of India goes back to the times of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and even earlier. The land has been carrying a heritage which has existed since the times of the Indus Valley Civilization. The rich and ancient history of the land was marred by the colonial rule of the British Empire. The phase of colonialism was a difficult period for India and it ended on August 15, 1947, with the Independence.
Every year on January 26, Republic Day is celebrated in India. Along with the Independence Day, it is the most important day in our country. It commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India which transformed India from a Dominion into a Republic. The Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. However, it must be noted that the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. It begs the question: Then why was January 26 chosen as the date to enforce the Constitution?
Why was January 26 chosen to enforce the Constitution?
On January 26, 1930, during their Lahore Session, the Indian National Congress (INC) declared ‘Purna Swaraj’ from the British rule. Before the declaration, there was a division in the Congress as to whether demand for complete independence from the British rule and whether to become a Dominion or a Republic. The British denied the common people of the country reforms and political rights, and also ignored the political parties of India consistently. As a result, Congress became increasingly cohesive and a consensus was reached in the party to drive out the British from India completely.
The Lahore Session witnessed a huge gathering of Congress volunteers and delegates, members of other political parties and public. The party declared the Independence, and on December 31, 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Tricolour on the banks of the Ravi river in Lahore. There was a pledge of independence which included a readiness to withhold taxes. Most of the public who gathered there agreed to the pledge and on January 26, 1930, the Declaration of Independence was officially promulgated. After that, Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent freedom fighters would launch nationwide non-violence movements against the British Raj.
India’s Republic Day, celebrated annually on January 26, commemorates the adoption of its Constitution in 1950. This date holds profound significance, marking the culmination of the Indian National Congress’s 1930 declaration of Purna Swaraj at the Lahore Session. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
