Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. I may here trace the history of the shaping of the Preamble because this would show that the Preamble was in conformity with the Constitution as it was finally accepted. Not only was the Constitution framed in the light of the Preamble but the Preamble was ultimately settled in the light of the Constitution. In the earliest draft the Preamble was something formal and read: ”We, the people of India, seeking to promote the common good, do hereby, through our chosen representatives, enact, adopt and give to ourselves this Constitution.
After the plan of June 3, 1947, which led to the decision to partition the country and to set up two independent Dominions of India and Pakistan, on June 8, 1947, a joint sub-committee of the Union Constitution and Provincial Constitution Committees, took note that the objective resolution would require amendment in view of the latest announcement of the British Government. The announcement of June 3 had made it clear that full independence, in the form of Dominion Status, would be conferred on India as from August 15, 1947. After examining the implications of partition the sub-committee thought that the question of making changes in the Objectives Resolution could appropriately be considered only when effect had actually been given to the June 3 Plan. Later on July 12, 1947, the special sub-committee again postponed consideration of the matter.
The Union Constitution Committee provisionally accepted the Preamble as drafted by B.N. Rao and reproduced it in its report of July 4, 1947 without any change, with the tacit recognition at that stage that the Preamble would be finally based on the Objectives Resolution. In a statement circulated to members of the Assembly on July 18, 1947 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inter alia, observed that the Preamble was covered more or less by the Objectives Resolution which it was intended to incorporate in the final Constitution, subject to some modification on account of the political changes resulting from partition. (327 words)
(Extracted with edits and revision from B Shiva Rao’s-Framing of India’s Constitution)
What was the role of Sir B. N. Rau in the making of the Indian Constitution?
Correct Answer :
Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly
Solution :
The correct answer is: Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. Historical Role of Sir B. N. Rau: Sir Benegal Narsing Rau (B. N. Rau) served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India during the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
2. Passage Context: As highlighted in the provided passage, the Union Constitution Committee provisionally accepted the Preamble as originally drafted by B.N. Rau and reproduced it in its report of July 4, 1947. Sir B. N. Rau was responsible for preparing the initial constitutional drafts, including the earliest draft of the Preamble, in his capacity as the Constitutional Advisor.
3. Evaluating the Options:
- Chairman of the Drafting Committee: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
- Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly: This accurately describes Sir B. N. Rau's official designation and role in framing the initial drafts.
- President of the Constituent Assembly: Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as the President of the Constituent Assembly.
- Member of the Union Powers Committee: Although various leaders served on different committees, Sir B. N. Rau's primary legal and historical distinction in the framing of the Constitution was as its Constitutional Advisor.
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