Law Day. Constitution Day. Constitution, adopted on Constitution Day – 26 November 1949, effective from Republic Day – 26 January 1950. The foundation on which Republic of India is run. Preamble of the Constitution reads: WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION. The Constitution of India today contains 448 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.
Dr Rajendra Prasad chaired the Constituent Assembly; Dr BR Ambedkar chaired the drafting committee.
Justice Surya Kant (Sharma) is the new Chief Justice of India. 53rd. Retirement is due on 9 Feb 2027.
Hyderabad is set to be the largest city of the country, with the merger of 27 urban local bodies with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Its area increase from 650 to 2000 square kilometres.
Andhra Pradesh carves out 3 more districts – Madanapalle; Markapur; Polavaram (Rampachodavaram tribal area). Now, the number of districts would be 29.
Goa now has the tallest statue of Sree Ram. 77ft bronze statue at the Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in Partagali, in South Goa. As part of the 550th-year celebrations of the Math. Statue was crafted by sculptor Ram V Sutar. A cultural hub for Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the Math is one of the oldest and most prominent Dvaita Vaishnava institutions in India. It is on the banks of Kushavati River in South Goa’s Canacona. Dvaitha Vaishnavism was founded by Madhvacharya. Its thesis is God and the soul are two separate entities.
We have just heard: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded on 27 September 1925, is not a registered organization, but is instead recognized by the Indian government and courts as a “body of individuals”. The government has not made registration mandatory, and the RSS has been exempted from income tax by the Income Tax Department, while also being banned three times, demonstrating a form of recognition despite a lack of formal registration. RSS was banned on 4 February 1948 till 11 July 1949. The ban was lifted based on the undertaking of Golwalkar, the then head of RSS, to make the group’s loyalty towards the constitution of India and acceptance and respect towards the national flag of India more explicit.
The RSS does not have any formal membership. Men and boys can become members by joining the nearest Shakha (branch), which is the basic unit. Women are not allowed to join the organisation. RSS does not keep membership records. ~4 million members may be there, as of 2024. The chief, called Sarsanghchalak, is nominated by the predecessor. Sarkaryavah, the general secretary, is elected by Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha once every three years. Then there are four joint general secretaries. Next in hierarchy are Vicharaks, full-time Pracharaks, some 2500. Most of them follow life-time celibacy, simple life of poverty, and service to the organisation. And active Karyakarta; and Swayamsevak – volunteers. ~100,000 shakhas are functional in the country. They have uniforms – khakhi pants, white shirts and black side caps. They have an anthem – Namaste Sadaavatsale Maatrbhoomi. RSS leads/anchors Sangh Parivar. A collective of organisations loosely.
In 1949, RSS adopted its Constitution, Articles. In this, it gives a commitment to a non-political, cultural role and the rejection of secrecy and violence. It gives a commitment to respect the Indian flag. Its PREAMBLE states: In the disintegrated conditions of country it was considered necessary to have an Organisation (a) to eradicate the fissiparous tendencies arising from diversities of sect, faith, caste and creed and from political, economic, linguistic and provincial differences, amongst Hindus; (b) to make them realise the greatness of their past; (c) to inculcate in them a spirit of service, sacrifice and selfless devotion to the Hindu Samaj, as a whole; (d) to build up an organised and well-disciplined corporate life; and (e) to bring about an all-round regeneration of the Hindu Samaj.
Its key Articles include – Article 4 – (a) The Sangh believes in orderly evolution of the Society and adheres to peaceful and legitimate means for the realisation of its ideals. (b) In consonance with the cultural heritage of the Hindu Samaj, the Sangh has abiding faith in the fundamental principle of tolerance towards all faiths. Article 6 – Its hierarchy includes Swayamsevaks, Active Swayamsevaks. Article 7 – Every Shakha shall maintain a register of all its Swayamsevaks – active or otherwise. Article 8 – Its constituent units – Province, District, City, Town, Mandal, village level. Article 9 – elections every three years.
Article 11 – Order of authorities include: Sarsangchalak/Head, nominated by outgoing Head, in consultation with Kendriya Karyakari Mandal; Sarkaryavaha/General Secretary, elected by the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha; KENDRIYA KARYAKARI MANDAL, KKM – office bearers, formed by Sarkaryavaha – includes Sarkaryavaha, one or more Sah-Sarkaryavahas, Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik Shikshan Pramukh, Akhil Bharatiya Bauddhik Shikshan Pramukh, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh and Akhil Bharatiya Nidhi Pramukh, plus 5+ members from Provinces; AKHIL BHARATIYA PRATINIDHI SABHA – delegates from Prantiya Pratinidhi Sabhas, Sanghachalaks and Pracharaks of divisions, provinces and Provincial centres, and Members of the Kendriya Karyakari Mandal; SANGHACHALAKS at various levels; PRACHARAKS – full-time workers, with own free will, and no remuneration. Article 22 – FUNDS shall be accounted and audited at various levels. Article 25 – The interpretation of the Constitution and its clauses by the Kendriya Karyakari Mandal shall be final.
Despite agreement with the Home Ministry of India on this Constitution, RSS is treated as an unregistered body of individuals, without any legal status.
Indian Constitution, Article 19(1)(c), guarantees the freedom of association – to form groups or organisations, whether registered or not. Registration is not compulsory. Unregistered body can exist, and function but it does not have legal status. That is the reason, why we see banning of unregistered bodies. If the body wants to deal in financial or property-related matters or to function as a separate legal entity, it cannot remain unregistered. Only the registered body gets legal status. Registration brings in structural guidelines, transparency, and accountability.
An unregistered body cannot Own Property; Open Bank Accounts; Receive Donations; Seek Legal Protection – cannot enter contracts, sue, or be sued in court; Ensure Accountability – government cannot oversee its governance and financial management. An unregistered body may not have annual reports, financial statements, etc., and may not have any bylaws.
Can we take a check and go forward accordingly? Are we better off being unregistered? If we do not need transactions with public at large or state. Can we have a network of organizations registered under various laws as per the need of the organizations? The network then need not be registered.
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. Dedicated to the Sankalp locally. In N? mahasankalpyoga for 7L.