Constitution of India called the ‘Living Law’?

 The Constitution of India called the ‘Living Law’ because it has been framed in a way to adjust to the changing times and the situations of the country. It accepts modifications and amendments easily according to the needs and requirements of present and future.

A day before Constitution of India was formally adopted on November 26, 1949 after nearly three years of intense deliberations, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar delivered one of his finest speeches. Summing up the work of the Constituent Assembly, he said, “However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out to be bad because those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot. However, bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it happen to be a good lot.”

It is very easy to bring about an amendment in the Indian Constitution as compared to the Constitutions of other countries like the American Constitution and Australian Constitution.

It is extremely difficult to bring about an amendment in the American Constitution. But our Constitution makers were very careful that it would neither be very difficult for the government to change the constitution nor be extremely easy which would otherwise lead to constitutional breakdown.

Indeed, the provisions for amendment is what makes a constitution a living document, and successive governments have not been shy of using it. So far the Indian Constitution has been amended 101 times and there are plenty more on the way.

Thus, the Indian Constitution changes with changing times and hence, it is known as a Living law.

“The Preamble to the Constitution sets out the aims and aspirations of the people of India”. Critically examine the above statement.