A historian is reading the record of the debates of the body that framed India's Constitution. She notices that members of one party, which held most of the seats, did not speak as a single bloc. Some of them were inspired by socialism, while others defended landlordism. Some were close to communal parties, while others were firmly secular. Yet these members argued in public, bargained with one another and often reached agreement on the floor of the house.
How had members of this party learnt to debate their ideas in public and negotiate their differences?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Through the national movement against British rule
Option (1) Through the background papers on other countries prepared by B. N. Rau — Incorrect. B. N. Rau, a civil servant, prepared papers on the political systems of other countries. These papers served the drafting work.
Option (2) Through the national movement against British rule — Correct. The Congress members had learnt to debate in public and negotiate their differences during the long national movement. They carried this habit into the Assembly.
Option (3) Through the newspaper debates on the Assembly's proposals — Incorrect. Newspapers reported the Assembly's arguments and shaped the final consensus. But the habit of debate had been formed earlier.
Option (4) Through their work in the Provincial Legislatures after 1945-46 — Incorrect. The Provincial Legislatures chose the Assembly's members. They were not where Congress members learnt to argue and settle differences.
NCERT (2026-27): “1.1 The making of the Constituent Assembly … |