Defence
"We are going to enter into a life of contradictions", a warning that political equality would coexist with social and economic inequality, was given in the Constituent Assembly by:
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Answer: Option A — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Detailed Solution
B.R. Ambedkar. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar made this famous statement in his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, the day before the Constitution was adopted.
The full idea:
- Ambedkar said that with the new Constitution, India would have political equality, based on "one man, one vote, one value".
- But in social and economic life, India would continue to have inequality.
- He warned that if this contradiction were not removed as soon as possible, those who suffered from inequality would blow up the structure of political democracy.
Other important points in the speech:
- He warned against the use of "the grammar of anarchy", such as civil disobedience and satyagraha, once constitutional methods were available.
- He warned against hero-worship in politics, saying that "bhakti" in politics is a sure road to degradation and dictatorship.
- He said that political democracy cannot last unless it rests on social democracy, which recognises liberty, equality and fraternity as principles of life.
- He said that however good a Constitution may be, it will turn out bad if those working it are bad, and however bad it may be, it may turn out good if those working it are good.
Ambedkar's role in the Constitution:
- He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and is called the chief architect of the Constitution.
- He piloted the Draft Constitution through the Assembly.
Constitution Day:
26 November, the day the Constitution was adopted in 1949, is observed as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) since 2015.
Social justice in the Constitution:
Ambedkar's concern for social and economic equality is reflected in the Preamble, the Fundamental Rights (such as the abolition of untouchability) and the Directive Principles.
Honours:
Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Nehru, Rajendra Prasad and Patel were leading members of the Assembly, but this statement was made by Ambedkar.
Quick tip
Remember: "Life of contradictions" speech = Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, 25 November 1949, Constituent Assembly.
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Making & Sources of the Constitution — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Making & Sources of the Constitution, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers how the Indian Constitution was made: the Constituent Assembly, its committees and members, the drafting process and key dates, and the features India borrowed from other constitutions, such as the parliamentary system from Britain and Fundamental Rights from the USA. Exams frequently ask who chaired the Drafting Committee (B. R. Ambedkar), who was President of the Constituent Assembly (Rajendra Prasad), and when the Constitution was adopted (26 November 1949) and came into force (26 January 1950). Questions on borrowed features are very common, so learn a table of features and their source countries. Practise the making of the Constitution questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.