26 November has reverence in Indian history. It was this day in 1949, 70 years ago, that our Constitution was adopted laying down certain non-negotiable principles around which Indian state and society will function. These are the abiding and time-tested principles of equality, justice and non-discrimination embodied in not just our movement for freedom against colonial yoke, but invoked over centuries by our thinkers and revolutionaries who questioned the iniquitous caste order. The Constitution with the fundamental rights, directive and duties of citizens and declares India a sovereign, democratic, secular republic considering all people as equal.
First published in CJP.
