Who saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Somnath Lahiri
Somnath Lahiri, a Communist member of the Constituent Assembly, saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over its deliberations. In the winter of 1946-47, while the Assembly met, the British were still in India, and the interim government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru could act only under the directions of the Viceroy. So Lahiri urged the members, and Indians in general, to free themselves fully from the influences of imperial rule.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 20-05 S1 | 23-05 S1* | – | – | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.1 The will of the people … A Communist member, Somnath Lahiri saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly. He thus urged the members, and Indians in general, to fully free themselves from the influences of imperial rule. In the winter of 1946-47, as the Assembly deliberated, the British were still in India. An interim administration headed by Jawaharlal Nehru was in place, but it could only operate under the directions of the Viceroy…” |