President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, highlighting India’s achievements.

Key Highlights of the Address

• Constitution as a Living Document: The President attributed the resilience of the Constitution to India’s millennia-old civic virtues, which have allowed it to guide the nation effectively. 
  • She paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairperson of the Drafting Committee, and other members of the Constituent Assembly for their visionary contributions.
• Constitutional Values: Ms. Murmu highlighted the intrinsic link between India’s constitutional values and its civilizational ethos. 
  • The principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity were described as deeply rooted in Indian traditions, strengthening the nation’s democratic framework. 
• Women in the Constituent Assembly: The President celebrated the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly who contributed to shaping India’s destiny at a time when women’s equality was a distant goal in much of the world.
• Role of Women in Nation building: She highlighted the strides made by Indian women in nation-building, reaffirming their central role in the country’s progress.
• Representative Character : The President commended the inclusive nature of the Constituent Assembly, which represented communities and regions across India, showcasing the country’s diversity.
• Moving Beyond Colonial Legacy: She lauded the Union government’s reforms, particularly the replacement of colonial-era criminal laws with three new laws rooted in Indian traditions of jurisprudence. 
  • The “audacity of vision” behind these reforms was seen as a step toward reclaiming India’s legal and administrative systems.

Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store

Debate on Simultaneous Elections

• Good Governance: The President endorsed the proposal as a way to promote: 
  • Consistency in Governance: Reducing frequent disruptions caused by staggered elections.
  • Policy Stability: Preventing policy paralysis due to ongoing electoral cycles.
  • Resource Efficiency: Mitigating financial burdens and resource diversion associated with repeated elections.
• Legislative Status: The draft Bill on simultaneous elections, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, is currently under review by a joint committee of Parliament.
• Constitutional Concerns: Opposition parties argue that the proposal violates the basic structure of the Constitution by undermining its federal framework. It contradicts the principles of decentralized governance, which allow states to function autonomously.
• Allegations of Centralization: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that the plan reflects a “One Nation, One Party” agenda, aiming to weaken democratic pluralism and opposition voices. 
  • Critics fear that synchronizing elections might undermine the diversity and federal nature of India’s democracy.
• Controversial Stance: The President’s endorsement of simultaneous elections has drawn criticism for wading into what is considered a partisan political debate.
  • Critics argue that such matters, being contentious and politically charged, are best left to elected representatives and public discourse.

Conclusion

As the First Citizen of India, the President is expected to remain neutral on divisive political issues. The government must tread carefully to avoid compromising the perception of the President’s constitutional impartiality.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!

DOWNLOAD PDF