TAG: GS 2: POLITY
THE CONTEXT: On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag, a momentous event that marked India’s journey towards independence.
EXPLANATION:
- India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, described the tricolour as a “Flag of freedom not only for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom to all people who may see it.”
- This day remains a significant milestone in Indian history, symbolizing the nation’s resolve and unity as it prepared to break free from colonial rule.
The Historic Assembly Meeting
- The Constituent Assembly convened in the Constituent Hall in New Delhi at 10 o’clock, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
- The Assembly, which had been meeting since December 9, 1946, addressed various crucial issues.
- On this day, the first item on the agenda was a motion by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru regarding the national flag.
- Nehru proposed the following resolution:
- The National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of deep Saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion.
- In the centre of the white band, there shall be a Wheel in navy blue to represent the Charkha.
- The design of the Wheel shall be that of the Wheel (Chakra) which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka.
- The diameter of the Wheel shall approximate to the width of the white band. The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2:3.”
- At the end of the day’s session, the motion was adopted with the entire Assembly standing.
Nehru’s Speech: A Vision for the Future
- Aspirations
- Nehru’s speech was filled with emotion and hope.
- He referred to the “glow and warmth” he felt at that moment and the concentrated history through which the nation had passed over the last quarter of a century.
- He spoke of the pride and enthusiasm the flag inspired, recalling how the sight of the flag gave courage to continue the struggle for freedom.
- Nehru paid homage to the freedom fighters who had held on to the flag, some even unto death, passing it on to others to keep it aloft.
- Addressing Present and Future Challenges
- Nehru acknowledged the tremendous problems the nation faced in the present and future.
- He emphasized that the moment represented a triumph and a victorious conclusion of their struggles.
- He noted the significance of the British Empire’s decision to end its imperialist domination in India, an objective that had been attained.
- Nehru spoke of the need to free the country from starvation, hunger, lack of clothing, and lack of opportunities for growth for every individual, declaring that these were the aims they sought to achieve.
- Symbolism of the Flag
- Nehru clarified that the flag defined by the resolution was adopted not by formal resolution but by popular acclaim and usage, rooted in the sacrifices of the past decades.
- He stressed that the flag should not be thought of in communal terms, as it represented the spirit and tradition of the nation, a mixed spirit that had evolved over thousands of years.
- The flag’s design, with its deep saffron, white, and dark green colors, and the wheel from the Sarnath Lion Capital, symbolized India’s ancient culture and values.
Emphasizing Cultural Continuity and Internationalism
- The Symbolism of Asoka’s Wheel
- The adoption of Asoka’s wheel in the flag was significant, representing India’s ancient culture and the principles it stood for throughout history.
- Nehru highlighted the importance of reflecting on India’s past values of peace and tolerance amidst contemporary strife and conflict.
- He noted that Asoka’s name was not only significant in India’s history but also in world history, symbolizing a period of remarkable cultural continuity and openness to new ideas and influences.
- India’s International Spirit
- Nehru also spoke of India’s great internationalist spirit, recalling how India had historically extended its hand to other countries, sending and receiving emissaries, ambassadors, and trade agents.
- He emphasized that the flag was not a symbol of empire, imperialism, or domination, but a symbol of freedom and friendship to all people around the world.
- The flag, wherever it went, would bring a message of freedom, comradeship, and India’s desire to be friends with every country and help those seeking freedom.
Support for the Resolution
- The resolution received unanimous support from the Constituent Assembly, with several members paying glowing tributes to the flag.
- Notable members like Seth Govind Das, V I Muniswami Pillai, Chaudhri Khaliquzzaman, S Radhakrishnan, Saiyid Mohammad Saadulla, Frank R Anthony, and Sarojini Naidu expressed their support.
Proposed Amendments
- H V Kamath had prepared an amendment suggesting the inclusion of the swastika inside the Chakra, symbolizing peace and the esoteric aspects of Indian culture.
- However, after seeing the flag’s design, he realized it would be cumbersome to incorporate the swastika into the Chakra and decided not to move the amendment.
- P S Deshmukh preferred retaining the tricolour with the Charkha but chose not to push the amendment, supporting the proposed flag design.
