Question

India, as we know, became independent on $15$ August $1947$ . Preceding this was a long and difficult struggle in which many sections of society participated. People from various backgrounds joined the struggle and they were inspired by the ideas of freedom, equality and participation in decision–making. Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions that they took.
How did the experience of colonial rule and the struggle for freedom in India shape the aspirations of the nationalists regarding the participation of citizens in decision-making, and how was this vision realized in the Constitution of independent India with the principle of universal adult franchise?

Accepted Answer

The experience of colonial rule in India and the struggle for freedom profoundly influenced the aspirations of the nationalists regarding citizen participation in decision-making. During the colonial period, people lived in fear of the British government and often disagreed with its decisions but were unable to openly criticize them due to the risks involved.

This desire for greater participation and freedom was evident early on, with the Indian National Congress demanding elected members in the legislature with the right to discuss the budget and ask questions as early as $1885$ . The Government of India Act in $1909$ allowed for some elected representation in response to the nationalist demands. However, these early legislatures did not extend voting rights to all adults, and people still had limited participation in decision-making.

The legacy of colonial rule and the collective struggle for freedom left no doubt that all citizens would have a say in the governance of the nation. This vision was realized in the Constitution of independent India, which enshrined the principle of universal adult franchise.

This principle granted all adult citizens of the country the right to vote, regardless of caste, creed, or gender, ensuring that the dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle became a concrete reality in the democratic framework of post-independence India.

Important Questions on Parliament and the Making of Laws

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