Let’s celebrate Constitution Day
By Birbal Jha
Let’s celebrate Samvidhan Divas or Constitution Day or National Law Day today as it was 26th November 1949 when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the constitution of the country which, however, came into effect on 26 January 1950.
Adhering to the law of the land is not only an honor to the establishment but also strengthening the nation and ensuring the better prospects of countrymen. Broadly speaking, the rights of every citizen are well protected and justice for all is well-enshrined in the book for all to follow. But can the law be selective? People are often heard saying that what is happening is that ‘one law for the rich and another for the poor’.
Is that any way natural delivery of justice for mankind? Rather everybody is expected to be equal in the eyes of the law, more particularly in democratic set up that we have chosen to stay with. A self-chosen form of government is the best possible one. The monarchy is the matter of past.
However, those close to the power behave like that they are a law unto themselves, leaving the common man beleaguered and victimized of their oppression and inebriation of their powers. Reports are all around. Who will bell the cat? So what will these commoners do? They will have no option but to choose the path of the saying -necessity knows no law. Who will deny the fact that ‘self-preservation is the first law of nature?
On the contrary, nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Hence, it is incumbent upon the government to ensure the infallible justice to all. Let the law be equally applicable to everybody irrespective of their, caste, creed, religion, high or low. This is the high time the philosophy of Thomas Fuller’s words- “be you never so high, the law is above you” be brought into practice in letters and spirits. This will a real tribute to the architect of Indian Constitution, Dr, Rajendra Prasad who was chairman of samvidhan sabha and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar who was associated with drafting of the constitution who had in every possible manner put in everything for the best possible form of governance and rule.
This is the time for us to remember the great soul Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India and legal luminary whose contribution in shaping the constitution cannot be explained in words. What is needed is practice and adherence to the constitution of the country, not the way Shiv Sena has declared that his party will boycott the celebration.
The national interest must be above the party politics for petty gains. Blame-game is on. The lives of masses are at stake with Delhi choking. Even the apex court has intervened asking the political parties enjoying the power to unite to work for the cause and stop the gas chamber burning in the national capital of the country. Shall we wake up to the call on this National Law Day or remain within precincts of our houses passing the bucks?
(Dr. Jha is a noted author and the Managing Director of Lingua Multiservices Pvt Ltd.)
