On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly took on the Constitution of India, and it was commemorated then on January 26, 1950. This year would work mark the 73rd year of the constitution since it came into existence.
While January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day, since 2015, November 26 has been observed as the Constitution Day of India, or Samvidhan Divas.
This is a day to express gratitude to the makers of our Constitution and to reiterate our commitment to building the India of their dreams. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B.R Ambedkar, and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel were the founding fathers of the constitution of India.
In May 2015, the Union Cabinet declared that November 26 will be seen as Constitution Day to advance “constitutional values among residents”. This was the year that denoted the 125th birth commemoration of BR Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution.
On November 19, 2015, the government formally notified November 26 as Constitution Day. Before this, the day was observed as National Law Day.
There have been several occasions when people have unknowingly replaced one term with the other. In 2019, the Delhi Police had allegedly referred to the country's Independence Day on August 15 as Republic Day in its advisory, resulting in a petition being filed against it in the Delhi High Court.
Here we bring some basic differences between these three days:
Dates
Constitution Day: November 26
Independence Day: August 15
Republic Day: January 26
Significance and difference between Republic Day, the Independence Day and the Constitution Day
While Independence Day marks the nation's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, Republic Day - which is celebrated on January 26 every year - marks the day the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950.
Whereas, Constitution Day is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India which came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Modi government decided in 2015 to observe this day annually as the Constitution Day.
Celebrations
Constitution day
Constitution Day is not a public holiday. On this day, the preamble of the constitution is read in all schools by all students. In addition, quiz and essay competitions are organised on the subject of the constitution of India.
Independence Day
Typically on this day, India witnesses a huge celebration of independence with tricolour flag hoisting, parades, and cultural functions across the country.
The flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day takes place at the Red Fort in New Delhi followed by the PM's address to the nation.
Republic Day
On Republic Day, the President, who is the first citizen of the country attends the event and unfurls the flag. It is celebrated at Rajpath in the national capital followed by parades, a tableau of the states, artillery display, etc.
