CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW?

R EAD A C ARTOON Countries of the European Union tried to create a European constitution. The attempt failed. Here is a cartoonist’s impression of this attempt. Does this always happen in any constitution making?

R EAD A C ARTOON The constitution makers have to address themselves to very different aspirations. Here is Nehru trying to balance between different visions and ideologies. Can you identify what these different groups stand for? Who do you think prevailed in this balancing act?

December R EAD A C ARTOON The writing of the new Iraqi constitution after the collapse of Saddam Hussain’s regime saw a lot of conflict between different ethnic groups in the country. What do these different people stand for? Compare the conflict depicted here with that depicted in earlier cartoons for the European Union and India. “Iraqi Constitution”, John Trever, Albuquerque Journal , 18AUG05.

Copyright. Cagle Cartoons. R EAD A C ARTOON Why does the cartoonist describe the new Iraqi Constitution as the castle of cards? Would this description apply to the Indian Constitution?

“Castle of Cards” , Ares, copyright Cagle Cartoons, SEP05 R EAD A C ARTOON The President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar greeting each other “...

I have realised as nobody else could have, with what zeal and devotion the members of the Drafting Committee and especially its Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar in spite of his indifferent health, have worked. We could never make a decision which was or could be ever so right as when we put him on the Drafting Committee and made him its Chairman. He has not only justified his selection but has added lustre to the work which he has done.

In this connection, it would be invidious to make any distinction as among the other members of the Committee. I know they have all worked with the same zeal and devotion as its Chairman, and they deserve the thanks of the country.” Dr. Rajendra Prasad CAD, Vol. XI, p.