WHY DOES INDIA CELEBRATE REPUBLIC DAY ON JANUARY 26?

CategoryPolity

Last Updated28/01/2023

The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 & was officially promulgated only on January 26, 1950, a day India celebrates as Republic Day.
On January 26, 1930, the historic Poorna Swaraj declaration was promulgated, beginning the final phase of India's freedom struggle that culminated in India attaining complete independence from British rule.

About: Instituted in 1927 -a 7 -man, all European team under Sir John Simon-to deliberate on political reforms in India & was met with widespread discontentment and mass protests.
Reason for protests: There was no Indian member in the Commission.

Formation: Formed in response to the Simon Commission under Motilal Nehru.
Demands: It demanded that India be granted "dominion status" within the Empire.
Dominion vs Republic: Younger leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru wanted India to break all ties with the British Empire.
Stand of Mahatma Gandhi: Initially he was firmly pro-dominion, but his views changed in 1929 when Viceroy Irwin went back on his commitment assuring Indians that they would "soon" be granted dominion status.

Passage: On December 19, the historic Poorna Swaraj resolution was passed in Lahore.
Meaning: Literally meaning "total self-rule/sovereignty.
Promulgation: This declaration was officially promulgated on January 26, 1930 & the Indian tricolour was hoisted across the country by Congress party workers and patriotic songs were sung.