CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY DEBATES 87
to the House. For lucidity, for persuasiveness, impressiveness and logic. I do not think that it could be beaten. All congratulations to him but this does not mean that one is agreeing with everything that is said by him in the speech…….
*Shri Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar (Madras : General) : Sir, Before making a few remarks on the Draft Constitution, I should like lo join in the tribute of praise to the Honourable Dr. Ambedkar for the lucid and able manner in which lie has explained the principles of the Draft Constitution, though I owe it lo myself to say that I do not share the views of my Honourable Friend in his general condemnation of village communities in India. I must also express my emphatic dissent from his observation that Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on Indian soil……
Before I proceed to make my remarks on the Draft Constitution, in view of certain observations of my honourable Friend Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari on the work of the Drafting Committee and the part taken by its members. I owe it to myself and to the House to explain my position. As a member of the Committee, in spite of my indifferent health, I look a fairly active part in several of its meetings prior to the publication of the Draft Constitution and sent up notes and suggestion for the consideration of my colleagues even when I was unable to attend its meetings. Subsequent to the publication of the draft for reasons of health, I could not take part in any of its deliberations and I can claim no credit for the suggestions as lo the modifications of the draft…..
†…….A brief survey of the draft Constitution must convince the Members that it is based upon sound principles of democratic government and contains within itself elements necessary for growth and expansion and is in line with the most advanced democratic Constitution of the world. It is well to remember that a Constitution is after all what we make of it. The best illustration of this is found in the Constitution of the United States which was received with the least enthusiasm when it was finally adopted by the different States but has stood the test of time and is regarded as a model Constitution by the rest of the democratic world.
*CAD, Vol. VII. 8th November 1984, p. 334.
† Ibid., p. 338.