National Flag of India- Debates in Constituent Assembly
Tuesday, the 22nd July 1947
The Constituent Assembly of India met in the Constitution Hall. New Delhi at Ten of the
Clock, Mr. President (The Honourable Dr. Rajendra Prasad) in the Chair.
Extracts from proceedings run as under:
RESOLUTION RE NATIONAL FLAG
Mr. President: We shall proceed with the agenda. The first item on the
agenda is a Motion by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru about the Flag.
The Honourable Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (United Provinces: General): Mr.
President, it is my proud privilege to move the following Resolution.
'Resolved that the National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of
deep Saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion. In the centre
of the white band, there shall be a Wheel in navy blue to represent the
Charkha. The design of the Wheel shall be that of the Wheel. (Chakra) which
appears an the abacuse of the Sarnath. Lion Capital of Asoka.
The diameter of the Wheel shall approximate to the width of the white band,
The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2:3."
This Resolution, Sir, is in simple language, in a slightly technical
language and there is no glow or warmth in the words that I have read Yet I am
sure that many in this House will feel that glow and warmth which I feel at the
present moment for behind this Resolution and the Flag which I have the honour
to present to this House for adoption lies history, the concentrated history of
a short span in a nation's existence. 'Nevertheless, sometimes in a brief
period we pass through the track of centuries. It is not so much the mere act
of living that counts but what ,one does in this brief life a that is ours; it
is not so much the mere existence of a nation that counts but what that nation
does during the various periods of its existence; and I do venture to claim
that in the past quarter of a century or so India has lived and acted in a
concentrated way and the emotions which have filled the people of India
represent not merely a brief spell of years but something infinitely more. They
have gone down into history and tradition and have added themselves on to that
vast history and tradition which is our heritage in this country. So, when I
move this Resolution, I think of this concentrated history through which all of
us have passed during the last quarter of a century. Memories crowd upon me. I
remember the ups and downs of the great struggle for freedom of this great
nation.
I remember and
many in this House will remember how we looked up to this Flag not only with
pride and enthusiasm but with a tingling in our veins; also how; when we were
sometimes down and out, then again the sight of this Flag gave us courage to go
on. Then, many who are not present here today, many of our comrades who
have passed, held on to this Flag, some amongst them even unto death. and
handed it over as they sank, to others to hold it aloft. So, in this simple
form of words, there is much more than will be clear on the surface. There is
the struggle of the people for freedom with all its ups and downs and trials
and disasters and there is, finally today as I move this Resolution, a certain
triumph about it a measure of triumph in the conclusion of that struggle.
Now, I realise fully, as this House must realise, that this triumph of ours
has been marred in many ways. There have been, especially in the past few
months many happenings which cause us sorrow, which has gripped our hearts. We
have seen parts of this dear motherland of ours cut off from the rest. We have
seen large numbers of people suffering tremendously, large numbers wandering
about like waifs and strays, without a home. We have seen many other things
which I need not repeat to this House, but which we cannot forget. All this
sorrow has dogged our footsteps. Even when we have achieved victory and
triumph, it still dogs us and we have tremendous problems to face in the
present and in the future. Nevertheless it is true I think hold it to be
true-that this moment does represent a triumph and a victorious conclusion of
all our struggles, for the moment. (Hear, hear).
There has been a very great deal of bewailing and moaning about various
things that have happened. I am sad, all of us are sad at heart because of
those things. But let us distinguish that from the other fact of triumph.
because there is triumph in victory, in what has happened. It is no small thing
that that great and mighty empire which has represented imperialist domination
in this country has decided to end its days here. That was the objective we
aimed at.
We have attained that objective or shall attain it very soon. Of that there
is no doubt. We have not attained the objective exactly in the form in which we
wanted it. The troubles and other things that companies our achievement are not
to our liking. But we must remember that it Is very seldom that people realise
the dreams that they have dreamt. It; very seldom that the aims and objectives
with which we start are achieved in their entirety in life in an individual's
life or in a nation's life.
We have many examples before us. We need not go into the distant past. We
have examples in the present or in the recent past. Some years back, a great
war was waged, a world war bringing terrible misery to mankind. That war was
meant for freedom and democracy and the rest. That war ended in the triumph of
those who said they stood for freedom and democracy. Yet, hardly had that war
ended when there were rumours of fresh wars and fresh conflicts.
Three days ago, this House and this country and the world was shocked by the
brutal murder in a neighbouring country of the leaders of the nation. Today one
reads in the papers of an attack by an imperialist power on a friendly country South-East Asia. Freedom is still far off in this world
and nations, all nations in greater or lesser degree are struggling for their
freedom. If we in the present have not exactly achieved what we aimed at, it is
not surprising. There is nothing in it to be ashamed of. For I do think our
achievement is no small achievement. it is a very considerable achievement, a
great achievement. Let no man run it, down because other things have happened
which are not to our liking. Let us keep these two things apart. Look at any
country in the wide world. Where is the country today, including the great and
big powers, which is not full of terrible problems, which is not in some way,
Politically and economically, striving for freedom which somehow or other
eludes its grasp? The problems of India in the wider context do not
appear to be terrible. The problems are rot anything new to us. We have faced
many disagreeable-things in the past. We have not held back. We shall face all
the other disagreeable things that face us in the present or may do so in the
future and we shall not flinch and we shall not falter and we shall not quit.
(Loud applause).
So, in spite of everything that surrounds us, it is in no spirit 'of down
heartedness that I stand up in praise of this Nation for what it has achieved.
(Renewed cheers). It is right and proper that at this moment we should adopt
the symbols of this achievement, the symbol of freedom. Now what is this
freedom in its entirety and for all humanity. What is freedom and what is the
struggle for freedom and when does it end. As soon as you take one step forward
and achieve something further steps come up before you. There will be no full
freedom in this country or in the world as long as a single human being is
unfree. There will be no complete freedom as long as there is starvation,
hunger, lack of clothing lack of necessaries of life and lack of opportunity of
growth for every single human being, man, woman and child in the country. We
aim at that. We may not accomplish that because it is a terrific task. But we
shall do our utmost to accomplish that task and hope that our successors. when
they come, have an easier path to pursue. But there is no ending to that road
to freedom. As we go ahead, just as we sometimes in our vanity aim at
perfection, perfection never comes. But if we try hard enough we do approach
the goal step by step. When we increase the happiness of the people, we
increase their stature in many ways and we proceed to our goal. I do not know
if there is an end to this or not, but we proceed towards some kind of
cosummation which in effect never ends,
So I present this Flag to you. This Resolution defines the Flag which I
trust you will adopt.
In a
sense this Flag was adopted, not by a formal resolution, but by popular acclaim
and usage, adopted much more by the sacrifice that surrounded it in the past
few decades. We are in a sense only ratifying that popular adoption. It is a
Flag which has been variously described. Some people, having misunderstood its
significance, have thought of it in communal terms and believe that some part
of it represents this community or that. But I may say that when this Flag
was devised there was no communal significance attached to it. We thought
of a design for a Flag which was beautiful, because the symbol of a nation must
be beautiful to look at. We thought of a Flag which would in its combination
and in its separate parts would somehow represent the spirit of the nation, the
tradition of the nation, that mixed spirit and tradition which has grown up
through thousands of years in India.
So, we devised this Flag. Perhaps I am partial but I do think that it is a very
beautiful Flag to Look at purely from the point of view of artistry, and it has
come to symbolise many other beautiful things, things of the spirit, things of
the mind, that give value to the individual's life and to the nation's life,
for a nation does not live merely by material things, although they are highly
important. It is important that we should have the good things of the
world, the material possessions of the world, that our people should have the
necessaries of life. That is of the utmost importance. Nevertheless, a nation,
and especially a nation like India
with an immemorial past, lives by other things also, the things of the spirit.
If India
had not been associated with these ideals and things of the spirit during these
thousands of years, what would India
have been? It has gone through a very great deal of misery and
degradation in the past, but somehow even in the depths of degradation, the
head of India has been held high, the thought of India has been high, and the
ideals of India have been high. So we have gone through these tremendous ages
and we stand up today in proud thankfulness for our past and even more so for
the future that is to come for which we are going to work and for which our
successors are going to work. It is our privilege. of those assembled here, to
mark the transition in a particular way, in a way that will be remembered.
I began by saying that it is my proud privilege to be ordered to move this
Resolution. Now, Sir, may I say a few words about this particular Flag? It will
be seen that there is a slight variation from the one many of us have used
during these past years.
The
colours are the same, a deep saffron, a white and a dark green. In the white
previously there was the Charkha which symbolised the common man in India, which
symbolised the masses of the people, which symbolised their industry and which
came to us from the message which Mahatma Gandhi delivered. (Cheers) Now, this
particular Charkha symbol has been
slightly varied in this Flag, not taken away at all. Why then has this been varied? Normally speaking, the
symbol on one side-of the Flag should be exactly the same as on the other side.
Otherwise, there is a difficulty which goes against the rules. Now, the
Charkha, as it appeared previously on this Flag, had the wheel on one side and
the spindle on the other If you see the other side of the Flag, the spindle
comes the other way and the wheel comes this way; if it does not do so, it is
not proportionate, because the wheel must be towards the pole, not towards the
end of the Flag. 'there was this practical difficulty. Therefore, after
considerable thought, we were of course convinced that this great symbol which
had enthused people should continue but that it should continue in a slightly
different form, that the wheel should be there, not the rest of the Charkha,
that is the spindle and the string which created this confusion, that the
essential mitt of the Charkha should be there, that is the wheel. So, the old
tradition continue in regard to the Charkha and the wheel. But what type of
wheel should we have? Our minds went back to many wheels but notably one famous
wheel, which had appeared in many places and which all of us have seen, the one
at the top of the capita of the Asoka column and in many other places. That
wheel is a symbol of India's
ancient culture, It is a symbol of the many things that India had stood for through the
ages. So we thought that this Chakra emblem should be there, and that wheel
appears. For my part, I am exceedingly happy that in this sense indirectly we
have associated with this Flag of ours not only this emblem but in a sense the
name of Asoka, one of the most magnificent names not only in India's history
but in world history. It is well that at this moment of strife, conflict and intolerance,
our minds should go back towards what India stood for in the ancient days
and. what it has stood for, I hope and believe, essentially throughout the ages
in spite of mistakes and errors and degradations from time to time. For, if India had not stood for something very great, I
do not think that India
could have survived and carried on its cultural traditions In a more or less
continuous manner through these vast ages. It carried on Its cultural
tradition, 'not unchanging, not rigid, but always keeping its essence, always
adapting itself to new developments, to new influences. That has been
the tradition of India,
always to put out fresh blooms and flowers, always receptive to the good things
that it receives, sometimes receptive to bad things also, but always true to
her ancient culture. All manner of new influences through thousands of years
have influenced us, while we influenced them tremendously also, for you will
remember that India
has not been in the past a tight little narrow 'country, disdaining other
countries. India throughout the long ages of her history has been connected
with other countries, not only connected with other countries, but has been an
international centre, sending out her people abroad to far off countries
carrying her message and receiving the message of other countries in exchange,
but India was strong enough to remain embedded on the foundations on which she
was built although changes many changes, have taken place. The strength of India
it has been said, consists in this strong foundation. It consists also in its
amazing capacity to receive, to adapt what it wants to adapt, not to reject
because something is outside its scope, but to accept and receive everything.
It is folly for any nation or race to think that it can only give to and not
receive from the rest of the world. Once a nation or a race begins to think
like that, it becomes rigid, it becomes ungrowing; it grows backwards and
decays. In fact, if India's
history can be traced, India's
periods of decay are those when it closed herself up into a shell and refused
to receive or to look at the outside world. India's greatest periods are those
when she stretched her hands to others in far off countries, sent her
emissaries, ambassadors, her trade agents and merchants to these countries and
received ambassadors and emissaries from abroad.
Now because I have
mentioned the name of Asoka I should like you to think that the Asokan period
in Indian history was essentially an international period of Indian history. It
was not a narrowly national period. It was a period when India's
ambassadors went abroad to far countries and went abroad not in the way of an
Empire and imperialism but as ambassadors of peace and culture and goodwill.
(Cheers.)
Therefore this Flag that I have the honour to present to you is not. I hope
and trust, a Flag of Empire, a Flag of Imperialism- a Flag of domination over
any body, but a Flag of freedom not only for ourselves but a symbol of. freedom
to all people who may see it. (Cheers). And wherever it may go-and I hope it
will go far,-not only where Indians dwell as our ambassadors and ministers but
across the far seas where it may be carried by Indian ships, wherever it may go
it will bring a message, I hope, of freedom to those people, a message of
comradeship, a message that India wants to be friends with every country of the
world and India wants to help any people who seek freedom. (Hear, hear). That I
hope will be the message of this Flag everywhere and I hope that in the freedom
that is coming to us, we will not do what many other people or some other
people have unfortunately done, that is, in a newfound strength suddenly to
expand and become imperialistic in design. If that happened that would be a
terrible ending to our struggle for freedom. (Hear, hear.) But there is that
danger and, therefore, I venture to remind this House of it-although this House
needs no reminder-there is this danger in a country suddenly unshackled in
stretching out its arms and legs and trying to hit out at other people. And if
we do that we become just like other nations who seem to live in a kind of
succession of conflicts and preparation for conflict. That is the world today
unfortunately.
In some degree I have been responsible for the foreign Policy during the past
few months and always the question is asked here or elsewhere: "What is
your foreign policy? To what group do you adhere to In this warring
world?" Right at the beginning I venture to say that we propose to belong
to no power group. We propose to function as far as we can as peace-makers and
peace-bringers because today we are pot strong enough to be able to have our
way. But at any rate we propose to avoid all entaglements with power politics
in, the world. It is not completely possible to do that in this complicated
world of ours, but certainly we are going to do our utmost to that end.
It is stated in this Resolution that the ratio of the width to the length of
the Flag shall ordinarily be 2:3. Now you will notice the word
"ordinarily". There is no absolute standard about the ratio because
the same Flag on a particular occasion may have a certain ratio that might be
more suitable or on any other. occasion in another place the ratio might differ
slightly. So there is no compulsion about this ratio. But generally speaking,
the ratio of 2:3 is a proper ratio Sometimes the ratio 2:1 may be suitable for
a Flag flying on a building. Whatever the ratio may be. the point is not so
much the relative length and breadth, but the essential design.
So, Sir, now I would present to you not only the Resolution but the Flag
itself.
There are two of these National Flags before you.
One is on silk-the one I am holding-and the other
on the other side is of cotton Khadi.
I beg to move this Resolution. (Cheers.)
Mr. President: I have got notice of three amendments to this Resolution.
Many Honourable Members: NO, no.
Mr H. V Kamath (C. P. and Berar: General): Mr. President, Sir, my amendment reads
as follows:
"That the following new para. be inserted in the motion:
That inside the Chakra
in the centre of the white band, the swastika, the ancient Indian symbol of
Shantam, Shivam, Sundaram, be inscribed'."
When I sent in the amendment, I had not seen the design of the Flag. There
were at that time two or three, considerations uppermost in my mind. I thought
that this Flag, being the Flag of our new Indian Republic, of
Bharatavarsha, should adequately
symbolise our ancient culture, the culture of our spirit, the spirit which has
animated our sages and our seers, which gave the message of Shantam, Shivam,
Sundaram to the world, the message of peace, the peace not merely of stillness,
not merely a passive peace, but a dynamic peace that passeth all understanding,
the peace of which the great Valmiki has sung (Samudraiva gambirye dhairyecha
himavaniva). I thought, Sir, if the Swastika be inscribed inside the Chakra it
would along with the Dharma Chakra of Asoka fittingly symbolise our ancient
culture, that is to say, the esoteric and esoteric aspects of our
culture.
The Dharma Chakra
symbolises the esoteric and the Swastika symbolises the esoteric aspects. But,
Sir, I have now seen the flag and I find that it is somewhat hard to fit the
Swastika into this Chakra. It would look cumbersome because of the design of
the Chakra. The Chakra symbolises the Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of the Law,
the Wheel of Samsara which revolves on these eternal verities of Shantam,
Shivam, Sundaram. These verities sustain the Samsara and in them we. as part of
that universe live and move and have our being. Pandit Nehru referred to our
role as peace-makers and peace-bringers. That is certainly true. India's role
has been that from years sempiternal, from the beginning of time. In the
words of Swami Vivekananda, we have never dipped our hands in the neighbour's
blood, our embattled cohorts have never marched into other lands for conquest,
and we have always been the harbingers of peace and the makers of peace in this
war-torn, war-weary world. Mr. President, Sir, after having seen the design of
this Flag, I do see that it is difficult to fit the Swastika in, much as I
would like to see it fitted in., It would make it rather clumsy and cumbersome.
In these circumstances, I
do not press this amendment and beg leave of the House to withdraw it.
Mr. President: Mr. Tajamul Husain.
Honourable, Members: He Is not present.
Mr. President: Dr. Deshmukh.
Dr. P. S. Deshmukh (C. P. and Berar:
General): Mr. President, Sir, after such an impressive and emotional speech by
Pandit Nehru one hesitates to say or add an thing that may be Interpreted or
considered to take away from its effect. We always respect his words and on a
somewhat sentimental question like this, our respect approaches adoration. I
have some very strong grounds on which my amendment was based. It is not in any
way or sense discordant with the speech to which we have just listened. My idea
was essentially based on the retention of the tricolour absolutely intact with
the charkha retained as it is charkha which Is the emblem of Ahimsa and the
common toiling man associated so inseparably with the acquisition of our
political freedom, and thename of Mahatma Gandhi. But in view of the fact that
the House would rather stick to the Flag that hag been proposed I do not wish
to move the amendment, although I still feel that my idea has much in it to
recommend itself.
Mr. President: Mr. Shibbanlal Saksena had given notice of an amendment to
the above amendment. of Dr. Deshmukh but since that amendment itself has not
ben moved, no question of this amendment to the amendment being moved arises.
Now we shall discuss the Resolution.
Seth Govind Das (C. P. and Berar:
General): *[Mr. President, I have come here to support the resolution moved by
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. I consider this day a landmark in the history of India. Today,
Independent India is displaying her national flag. Everyone who, has taken part
in the struggle for freedom during the last twenty-seven years is today
reminded like Panditji of the events during that period. We were unarmed and
helpless and had no resources for achieving independence. But the way in which
this battle of freedom has been fought and victory achieved has no parallel,
not only in the history of India
but also in the history of the world. Today we are achieving the victory for
which we were trying for the last so many years. We are also reminded of those
who came forward so many times to, pull down this flag, to trample it and to
set fire to it. But when Truth and Justice were with us, it was altogether
impossible to trample it and to finish it in that way. After twenty-seven years
we have been able to prove to the world that even an unarmed nation with no
resources at its command, can achieve freedom, if it follows the path of
Justice and Truth.
Today. I am reminded of the day when in
1922, Pandit Motilal Nehru came to Jubbulpore
for the first time. I am a resident of Jubbulpore.
That was the first time when this flag was displayed in India. At that
time it had three colours-red, white and green. It was a tricolour no doubt. At
that time, this flag was hoisted over the Town Hall
of Jubbulpore for the first time in India. Who is
not reminded of Pandit Motilal on seeing Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru? At
that time a question was raised in the House of Commons as to how this flag was
hoisted over a public hall and the Prime Minister of Great Britain assured the
house that no event of the sort would be repeated in India in future. But I am pleased
to find today that the flag which was hoisted for the first time twenty-five
years ago in Jubbulpore, my home town, will
now be unfurled over every public building there. It will be a matter of pride
for everyone in India.
There is no touch of communalism in the three colours of the flag. Panditji
has already told you this in the course of his speech.
It is true that at a time when the colours were
red, white and green there was a trace of communalism in the flag. But when we
change these colours to saffron, white and green, we declared it in clear words
that the three colours had no communal significance. At that time, we also made
it clean as to what these colours signified. Those who have been
maddened by Communalism today, should not take this flag to be a communal flag.
You see that it has the Asoka chakra in the middle. Panditji told you what a
great place Asoka has in our history. After the battle of Kalinga, Asoka tried
to unite the whole world with love and he achieved such success that the
historians not only of this country but also of the whole world admit that
there has been no Emperor like Asoka in the world. Mr. H. G. Wells writes in
his History of the World that 'while the rest of the Emperors led a bloody
life, Asoka alone tried to unite the world with love.
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*[English translation of Hindustani speech begins.
When we see the colours of our flag we should keep in mind other things
also.
I want to tell those
who say that the saffron colour represents Hindus, that it is wrong to say so.
No doubt at me time it was the colour of the Hindus. During the regime of the
Peshwas it was the colour of the Hindus. In their fights for freedom, Rajputs
used saffron dress and saffron ensign. But If we go more remote into the past,
we will have to accept that saffron was not the colour of these times. You may
be knowing that in the times of Mahabharat there was no question of colour. The
flag flying over the chariot of Arjun had the symbol of Hanuman. Karna's flag
had the symbol of the elephant. Therefore to describe any colour as the ancient
colour of the Hindus is historically wrong. I say that it is natural
that the flag under which we fought the battle of freedom during the last
twenty-seven years and have now achieved independence, should be our national
flag. I am pained to see that at present, some people maddened with communalism
are bringing about such events, which I am confident, after sometime when sense
will dawn upon them, will make them very much ashamed of themselves.
Only day before yesterday a
meeting was held in Delhi
regarding Hindi. The motion that Hindi should be the national language and
Devanagari script the national script, was to be moved in the meeting.
Pandemonium
prevailed in the
meeting and national flags were removed from cars and thrown away. I say that
to be mad with communalism and to do such things and to insult the flag in this
way is an insult to the whole nation. Human beings live in this country
and not gods and they have the three dispositions of "Satvaguna, Rajoguna
and Tamoguna" ('goodness, passion and dullness'). If such incidents occur,
peace, righteousness and happiness of which this flag is the symbol, will
disappear from this land. Therefore I warn these people, who are mad with
communalism that they should not do such things.
As regards the green colour. there wag a time when this
was the colour of the flag of the war of Independence.
I would remind you of the war of Independence
of 1857. At that time, the colour of our flag was green and under it we fought
that battle. It was at that time not the colour of Muslims alone or of Hindus
but of all those who fought the war of Independence.
Therefore nothing is more painful than to be against any particular colour and
that too at a time when the whole of India is becoming independent and this flag
will be hoisted everywhere in the country.
We have styled this flag as a world-conqueror and have
spoken of its conquest of the world with love. We want to conquer the world
with non-violence and love. This is its symbol. When we will have done that, we
will have fulfilled our pledge. I support this resolution with all my
heart.]*
Shri V. I. Muniswami Pillai (Madras: General): Mr. President, Sir, I appear
before you today to support the Resolution so ably moved by our great national
leader Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who had a lion's share in the freedom struggle
of this great country.
Sir, he has explained to us the significance of this Flag which is to be
held and defended by the millions of the inhabitants that live In this great
country. It is not to be the Flag of the rich or the wealthy but it is to be
the Flag of the depressed, oppressed and submerged classes all over our
country.
Sir, I particularly welcome the introduction of the wheel in the centre.
Mahatma Gandhi gave us the great mantra that lies in the matter of the Charkha.
Those of us who have taken to Charkha feel proud today after so many centuries
of political struggle in this country, that it has been possible to bring a
Flag for this country which was lacking all these centuries.
I also welcome the
introduction of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. Asoka, coming as he
did after the great Buddhist order, has given us the great-Panchaseelam, above
all, sympathy for humanity.
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*[English translation of Hindustani speech ends.
The Harijan classes and all those communities who are In the lowest rung of
the ladder of society, feel that the constitution which is on the anvil of this
supreme body is going of bring solace to the millions of the submerged classes.
The principle of Buddha who exhibited Practically his great sympathy for
suffering human beings,I am mire, Sir. will be practically carried out after
accepting this great Flag.
With these words, I supportthe Resolution.
Chaudhri Khaliquzzaman
(United Provinces: Muslim): *[Mr. President I support the resolution moved by
Pandit Nehru (Cheers). I think that from today everyone, who regards himself as
a citizen of India-be he a Muslim, Hindu or Christian,-will as a citizen make
all sacrifices to uphold and maintain the honour of the flag which is accepted
and passed as the flag of India (Cheers). I do not wish to narrate again
history which is wrong. I want that all of us should forget the past and should
oust from our minds the old things. Therefore, I hope that the majority too
shall forget the past. All of us should make a fresh history of India from
today in which everyone, who has got sincerity, dignity and interest in the
reconstruction of the country and the nation, may join hands. I know that a
flag to look at, is simply a piece of cloth but a country's flag symbolises its
ideals and its aspirations, both moral and spiritual. I feel happy that none,
who calls himself a citizen of India,
can have occasion to disagree with the speech of Pandit Nehru in support of the
flag. Therefor-.. I think that from whatever angle, we may view it, the step
taken today will only strengthen the foundations of India. Every Muslim, Hindu and
Christian will feel proud in hoisting this flag throughout the length and
breadth of India,
and he shall honour it (Cheers). With these words I support the motion.]*
Sir
S. Radhakrishnan (United Provinces: General):
Mr. President, Sir I do not wish to say very much after the very eloquent way
in which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru presented this Flag and the Resolution to you.
The Flag links up the past and the present. It is the legacy bequeathed to us
by the architects of our liberty. Those who fought under this Flag are mainly
responsible for the arrival of this great day of Independence
for India.
Pandit Jawaharlal has pointed out to you that it is not a day of joy unmixed
with sorrow. The Congress fought for unity and liberty. The unity has been
compromised; liberty too. I feel, has been compromised, unless we are able to
face the tasks which now confront us with courage, strength and vision. What is
essential to-day is to equip ourselves with new strength and with new character
if these difficulties are to be overcome and if the country is to achieve the
great ideal of unity and liberty which it fought for. Times are hard.
Everywhere we are consumed by phantasies. Our minds are haunted by myths. The
world is full of misunderstandings, suspicions and distrusts. In these
difficult days it depends on us under what banner we fight. Here we are Putting
in the very centre the white, the white of the Sun's rays. The white means the
path of light. There is darkness even at noon as some People have urged, but it
is necessary for us to dissipate these clouds of darkness and control our
conduct-by the ideal light, the light of truth, of transparent simplicity which
is illustrated by the colour of white.
We cannot attain purity, we cannot gain our goal of truth, unless we walk in
the path of virtue.
The
Asoka's wheel represents to us the wheel of the Law, the wheel Dharma. Truth
can be gained only by the pursuit of the path of Dharma, by the practice of
virtue. Truth,-Satya, Dharma-Virtue, these ought to be the controlling
principles of all those who work under this Flag. It also tells us that
the Dharma is something which is perpetually moving. If this country has
suffered in the recent past, it is due to our resistance to change. There are
ever so many challenges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*[English translation of Hindustani speech ends.
hurled at us and if we have not got the courage and the strength to move
along with the times, we will be left behind. There are ever so many
institutions which are worked into our social fabric like caste and
untouchability. Unless these things are scrapped we cannot say that we either
seek truth or practise virtue.
This wheel which is a rotating thing, which is a perpetually revolving
thing, indicates to us that there is death in stagnation. There is life in
movement. Our Dharma is Sanatana, eternal, not in the sense that it is a fixed
deposit but in the sense that it is perpetually changing. Its uninterrupted
continuity is its Sanatana character. So even with regard to our social
conditions it is essential for us to move forward.
The red, the orange,
the Bhagwa colour represents the spirit of renunciation it is said:
(Sarve tyage
rajadharmesu drsta).
All forms of
renunciation are to be embodied in Raja Dharma. Philosophers must be Kings. Our
leaders must be disinterested. They must be dedicated spirits.' They must be
people who are imbued with the spirit of renunciation which that saffron,
colour has transmitted to us from the beginning of our history. That stands for
the fact that the World belongs not to the wealthy, not to the prosperous but
to the meek andthe humble, the dedicated and the detached.
That spirit of
detachment that spirit of renunciation is represented by the orange or the
saffron colour and Mahatma Gandhi has embodied it for us in his life and the
Congress has worked under his guidance and with his message. If we are not
imbued with that spirit of renunciation in than difficult days, we will again
go under.
The green is there our
relation to the soil, our relation to the plant life here on which all other
life depends. We must build our Paradise here
on this green earth. If we are to succeed in this enterprise, we must be
guided. by truth (white), practise virtue (wheel), adopt the method of
self-control and renunciation (saffron). This Flag tells us 'Be ever alert, be
ever on the move, go forward, work for a free, flexible compassionate, decent,
democratic, society in which Christians, Sikhs, Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists will
all find a safe shelter.'
Thank you. (Loud cheers).
Dr.
Mohan Sinha Mehta (Udaipur State): Mr.
President, Sir, as I had listened from my seat to the great speech which was
delivered by our great leader on a great subject, the first thought that rose
in my mind was that there should be no more speeches on that subject and that
the Resolution should be adopted unanimously from every section of the House by
acclamation. But since it was not to be and some speeches were made fortunately
no amendments are being considered I ventured to come up here and say a few
words in support of the Resolution.
Sir, I should like to say that the proposal which has been put before us has
the support of the Indian States also. (Cheers). One of our representatives, a
distinguished Prime, Minister, participated in the deliberations of the
Committee which has brought this proposal before you through Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru.
Sir, this is a historic occasion when free India
is going to adopt a National Flag and I wish you to understand that a very
large majority of the Indian States in India
are and remain an integral part of India. (Cheers)
Sir, when I was listening to Pandit Nehru's speech from my seat, I felt he
symbolised to me in my vision the subject of the Resolution which he was
moving, the sombre background of the panels of this roomand Pandit Nehru in his
spotless white. Knowing Pandit Nehru as we do, I am sure I am not exaggerating
when I say that he in his figure represented the significance of the
subject-matter of this Resolution.
Sir, as he explained to us the contents of the Flag, and its design,
especially when ha was coming to the Chakra of Asoka's column, I thought he
would also refer to it as symbolising the participation of the Indian States in
the Indian Union. For the first time, Sir, after a long, long time, we will
have India ruled for India and by
Indians. Again Pandit Nehru symbolises this also-the symbol of self-rule. But
you will pardon my saying that in a large part of India which you colour yellow on
the map the ideal of self-rule was maintained by the Indian States. Please do
not analyse this proposition on the basis of political philosophy, When we are
discussing the Flag of India we are not discussing abstract doctrines or
political practices, but primarily things which are symbolic, things of
sentiment. Am I far wrong in saying that the Chakra of Asoka represents the
Indian States, because since the time of Asoka. the Great, the whole country
has not bean under Indian rule, ruled by Indians for Indians? At any rate, some
of us would like to look upon it with that sentiment. I am, therefore, speaking
here not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of a large number of States;
I have not consulted them, but I am sure they will agree with me when I say
that this Flag whether it is flying over a building in India or on the high
seas in foreign waters, this Flag would represent the combined sentiments of
the Union of India, irrespective of what places of worship we go to,
irrespective of the difference in our names and nomenclatures; we are all
Indians and this is our Flag.
Sir, I wholeheartedly support the Resolution.
Mr.
Mohomed Sheriff
(Mysore State):
Mr. President, Sir, I am sorry that some controversy has been created about the
Resolution which was go admirably moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru about the
question of the consideration of the Indian Flag. Some gentlemen suggested that
there should be some variation in the colours represented on this Flag. Some
wanted that the.......... (Hon'ble Members: "No, no".) Very well.
While appreciating the motive which has actuated these gentlemen in making
this representation, yet, speaking for myself, I say that so far as this Flag
is concerned, it is the best Flag and I do endorse whatever Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru has said this morning while sponsoring this Resolution.
Sir, the white, the saffron and the green colours, signify renunciation,
purity or sacrifice. Great spiritual significance is attached to them These
colours are venerated by all persons, whether they are Hindus, or Muslims,
Christians or Parsis. The Chakra which is there in the centre of the Flag
symbolises motion, progress and advancement and from aesthetic and other
considerations also, it suits the genius, tradition and culture of India. As was
said by Chaudhuri Khaliquzzaman, it is a Flag which deserves the respect of
everybody who lives and has his being in India. With these words, Sir, I
have very great pleasure in supporting the Resolution sponsored by Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mr. Satyanarayan Sinha (Bihar: General): I
suggest, Sir, that the question be now put.
Honourable Members: The question may be put.
Mr. President: I have got the names of some twenty-five speakers here
because it is an occasion on which every one would like to express himself. But
I think it is not necessary to carry on the debate any further, because we have
heard from members all that could be said. I would, therefore, put the closure
motion to vote.
Mr. Tajamul Husain (Bihar: Muslim): Sir,
before closure is applied, I would like to submit that more speeches should be
allowed, because on an occasion like this everybody should be given the
opportunity to express his thoughts.
Mr. B. K. Sidhwa (C.P. and Berar: General):
Sir, this is a memorable day and the opportunity to express himself should be
given to everyone who wishes to speak.
Rai Bahadur Syamanandan Sahaya (Bihar: General): Sir, it is not every day
that we will be adopting a National Flag for the country and as such it is but
proper that if a few more members want to speak to-day they should lie allowed
to do so.
Pandit Govind Malaviya (U. P.: General): Sir,
let us have the whole of today as the Flag day.
Mr. President: I am entirely in the hands of the House; if you do not want
more speeches, I shall stop here, but if members want more opportunities to
speak I shall proceed in the order in which I have got the names here with me.
Shri Balkrishna Sharma (United Provinces: General): We want to hear the old
mother.
Mr. Tajamul Husain: We would like to hear the "Bul-bule Hind."
Mr. President. I will
call upon her at the end. I am sure it will be the sweetest speech and we
should, according to our old custom, end with sweets. (Cheers).
Mr. Saadulla may now speak.
Saiyid Mohammad Saadulla (Assam: Muslim): Mr. President, Sir, my intervention
in this debate was not at all necessary, in view of the very learned and able
speach of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and speeches from other quarters. The reason
for my standing before you is that I want to make perfectly clear our position.
'Die Muslim members who are in this House in spite of the fact that you have
extended to them "swagatam" on the very firs' day, are looked upon by
some members with distrust and attempts were made to debar us from
participating in this August Assembly unless we disclaim certain opinions we
hold. I have seen in the press certain references that the Muslim members in
this Constituent Assembly are unwanted, and some papers had gone to the length
of saying that the Muslim members here will be fifth columnists and saboteurs
of the Constitution. I am very glad that the Resolution of Pandit Nehru gives
us a
chance of belying these aspersions and removing distrust by proclaiming from
the housetops our allegiance to the Union of India where by accident of
residence and birth we happen to be. It the injunction of Islam, emphasized by
instructions from League High Command and leaders, that wherever we be we must
be good and loyal to the government which functions there. Acting on the
principle I salute the Flag which has been presented to the House by Pandit
Nehru.
In my opinion the Flag symbolises the evolution of our aspirations, the
fulfilment of our struggles and the ultimate result of all our sacrifices. If I
may be permitted to draw an analogy from nature, the saffron represents the
condition of the earth, the scorched condition caused by the torried heat of
the Indian Sun. When the crystal-clear white raindrops and the water from the
snow-capped mountains and rivers comes down we get our and areas converted into
smiling green fields the crops of which sustain us and conduce to the growth of
the people. Similarly we had in our political struggle our scorched earth days
but later on came our days of hope and today this Flag unfurled in this House
has brought us to the culminating point, the desiderata of our past struggles.
I am glad, Sir, that the Flag remains as it is and that the amendments proposed
were not moved, for India
is represented in the different colours of this Flag. India is very
well noted for herspiritual attainments. Everywhere it is admitted that India has got a
great spiritual message to send out to the different countries of the world.
The saffron, as is well known, is the colour of all those people who live the
spiritual life not only among Hindus but also among Muslims. Therefore the
saffron colour should remind us that we should keep ourselves on that high
plane of renunciation which has been the realm of our Sadhus and saints, Pirs
and Pandits. I therefore welcome the inclusion of this colour in the Flag.
Next I come to the white portion. White both among Hindus and Muslims is the
emblem of purity. In congratulate the High Command of the Indian National
Congress that by a bold stroke of imagination they took up the white cap as the
symbol of their creed. The presence of the white portion in this Flag should
remind every one who takes it up that we must be pure not only in word but also
in deed. Purity should be the motto of our life;-individually as well as in
connection with the State.
Lastly, Sir, green reminds me of the fact that it was the emblem of the
upsurge of India's
freedom. Green was the emblem of the Flag which was raised by Bahadur Shah in
1857. But it has more than a sentimental or symbolical value to us Muslims
because green was the colour of the Flag of the Muslims from the time of the
great Prophet of Arabia thirteen centuries ago. Some may regret that the
Charkha which was the emblem of the masses has been replaced by the Dharma
chakra of Asoka. But I consider that it was really a heaven-born inspiration of
the authorities that this Chakra now takes the place of the Charkha. Although
the Charkha was the emblem of our self-help and of our approach to the common
masses and was embodied in our activities by the message of the Mahatma, yet
towards the later stage the ideal of Charkha had been polluted, the instruction
or inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi had been deviated from and those who wore the
Charkha which was the symbol of non-violence were most violent in their actions
which at one time Pandit Nehru had at great personal risk to assuage. The
Dharma chakra of Asoka reminds us of the condition of the people at the time of
that great Buddhist Emperor of India.
He ruled not for his personal aggrandisement but for the contentment, peace and
prosperity of the people under his charge. This emblem now embodied in our
National Flag ought to remind every administrator and every citizen of the
federation of India that we should forget the past and look to the future and
try to carry on the tradition of that great Buddhist Emperor Asoka, and we
should be reminded at all times that we
are here not only for our material prosperity but also for our spiritual
advancement. This Chakra was a religious emblem and we cannot dissociate our
social life from our religious environments.
Sir, with these few words not only on behalf of myself but also as Deputy
Leader of the Muslim League Party and as an old inhabitant of the furthest and
the smallest province of the Indian Union, Assam,
I salute this Flag as a symbol of India's freedom.
Dr
. H. C. Mookherjee
(West Bengal: General): Mr. President, ever since the Indian Christian
community became conscious of the fact that it was fundamentally an Indian
community, its great leaders in the past have always fully identified
themselves with the Indian Nationalism. I need only remind those, who do me the
honour of listening to me, of the name of the late Kaka Baptist of Bombay, of
the late K C. Bannerjee of Bengal, of the late Bishop Chidambaram of the United
Provinces and the late Dr. S. K. Dutta of Punjab.
These names are only a few out of the many I could quote to prove that we have
all along identified ourselves fully with Indian Nationalism. From one point of
view we have been misunderstood. It has been held that because we profess Christianity,
essentially an Asiatic religion, and because we have certain contacts with
foreign missions, therefore the Indian Christian community has what is known as
Christian mentality. It is not so and I stand here to say that it is an incorrect
idea. It is a misconception and I want it to be clearly understood that today I
on behalf of my community, am pledging our allegiance once more to the Flag.
To me it seems significant that some of the workers very closely associated
with the Congress are Indian Christians and I am sure MY friends will bear
testimony to the fact that we too have produced leaders who have fully
identified themselves with Indian Nationalism. We owe our allegiance to the
Flag, not only because we are Indian Christians, but because we have been
always well treated in the past by the Indian National Congress. In fact it
would be no exaggeration to suggest that we have been better treated by the
Indian National Congress than by those with whom we are affiliated from the standpoint
of religion. I take this opportunity of reminding the Hon'ble Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru of an occasion which happened in 1938 when I had been called to the
Punjab by Dr. S. K. Dutta to do a little service in connection with a function
at the Forman Christian College. At that time the University Union at Allahabad had arranged for an address by me on Prohibition
and they insisted that I should speak on this subject because shortly before
that I had visited Salem in Madras through the kind offices of Rajaji.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had agreed to preside over the function, but had
forgotten the subject on which I was expected to speak. At his request, first
of all I explained my ideas about the duties of minorities when asked by him to
put before the audience our views regarding the minority question. He was to
have left for Delhi
within half an hour, but he forgot everything about it and in consequence
missed the train. After I had spoken, Pandit Nehru told me that what the
community had stood for would be remembered by the Indian National Congress
when it came to power. Within three or four days I received reports of a
certain case of injustice suffered by Indian Christians in some villages. I
went to the villages and found out that the charges were true'. I placed before
Pandit Nehru the information which I gathered and in seven days' time the whole
matter was settled. In that way our religious liberties were restored.
May I in this connection mention another occasion when we received prompt
help from the Congress? When I was in Madras,
the Principal of the Physical Education College at Saidapet, Dr. Beck, told me
that he had immense difficulties in getting land for the Madras College of
Physical Education. As soon as Rajaji came to power he granted us even more
land than we had wanted within a short time. These are the services
that we have received from the Congress. This not only because we are in
sympathy with the objectives of the Congress but also because of good treatment
we have identified ourselves with the Congress. Once more I, repeat that the
Indian Christians owe allegiance to the National Flag.
Mr. R. K. II Sidhwa: Mr. President, Sir, the Honourable Mover of this motion
Pandit Nehru, said that he felt it a proud privilege to move this Motion and
present this Flag to this House. Sir, it is not he proud privilege of only
Hon'ble Pandit Nehru today, but it is the proud privilege of the whole Nation
to see this Flag round which the people have struggled hard to win freedom has
become an accomplished fact, that the National Flag hereafter shall be an
officially recognised Flag. While our young and old men and women and children
hoisted this Flag on private houses and public buildings, the British
bureaucracy in India
pulled it down and trampled it under their feet. Notwithstanding that, our
countrymen took up, that very Flag and hoisted it on the very building from
which it had been pulled down. While doing so, they strictly followed the
doctrine given to us by Mahatma Gandhi to carry on the struggle in a
non-violent way. Mahatma Gandhi enjoined upon us to be non-violent in word,
thought and deed. I must admit, Sir. while it has not been possible to follow
non-violence in word and thought, I along, with millions of Indians have
strictly followed the principle of non, violence while fighting the battle
against the British bureaucracy in India. Through that non-violent
struggle we have been able to achieve our cherished goal today.
On the Flag problem, a popular slogan went round, "Up, up with the
National Flag; down, down with the Union Jack'. We do not mean disrespect to
any Nation's Flag, but we considered the hoisting of the British Flag here, a
symbol of slavery.
On 15th
August this Flag which has been presented to us today will be hoisted on this August
Assembly, on the great magnificent Secretariat Buildings and I may also say,
Sir, on the Viceregal Lodge. (Cheers). And the Union Jack will be respectfully,
slowly and solemnly brought down. Undoubtedly, on that day, the National Flag
will be hoisted all over India
and it will be saluted by every one.
Sir, the
first National Flag, I should say the Swaraj Flag,
was hoisted in 1911 at the Indian National Congress Session held at
Calcutta by that great President, by that great congressman, by that great
Indian Patriot who was one of the founders of the Indian National Congress and,
may I say, the prime mover for the, formation of the Congress, the late
Dadabhai Naoroji. That flag I have seen in the picture I have got it in my
house. It is not the same Flag as we see here today. I now remember what that
great leader said on the occasion of hoisting that Flag in Calcutta in 1911.
Mr. President: I did not want to interrupt the speaker. But he is mistaken
in regard to the year.
It was 1906 and not 1911.
Mr. R. K. Sidhwa: Thank you, Sir. While hoisting the Flag he said: 'I
present this Flag, Under this Flag we should fight our battles.' Sir, this Flag
has since changed in design and now it has been officially recognised as the
Flag of the Nation. We shall all salute it. It will remain firmly and solidly
till eternnity wherever it is flown.
The Honourable Mr.
Jaipal Singh (Bihar:
General): Mr. President as I listened to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, I thought no
speech would be necessary, but since various groups in this House have
severally tried to acknowledge their acceptance of and allegiance to the Flag
which we are going to adopt as the National Flag of this country. I thought I
would also say a few words on behalf of the
30 million Adibasis, the real owners of this country, the
original sons of the soil, the most ancient aristocracy of India, who have been
fighting for freedom for the last' six thousand years. On behalf of these my people, I
have great pleasure in acknowledging this Flag as the Flag of our country in
future. Sir, most of the members of this House are inclined to think that flag
hoisting is the privilege of the Aryan civilised. Sir, the Adibasis had been
the first to hoist flags and to fight for their flags. Members who come from
the so-called province of Bihar, will support me when I say that, year after
year, in the melas, jatras and festivals in
Chota Nagpur, whenever various tribes with their flags enter the arena, each
tribe must come into jatra by a definite route by only one route and no other
tribe may enter the mela by the same route.
Each village has
its own flag and that flag cannot be, copied by any other tribe. If any one
dared challenge that flag, Sir, I can assure you that that particular tribe
would shed its last drop of blood in defending the honour of that flag.
Hereafter, there will be
two Flags, one Flag which has been here for the past six thousand years, and
the other will be this National Flag which is the symbol of our freedom as
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has put it. This National Flag will give a new message
to the Adibasis of' India that their struggle for freedom for the last six
thousand years is at last over, that they will now be as free as any other in
this country. I have great pleasure. Sir, in accepting and acknowledging
on behalf of the Adibasis of India the Flag that has been presented to us by
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mr.
Frank R. Anthony (C.P. and Berar: General):
Mr. President, Sir, as listened to the very eloquent speech of Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru in introducing and commending this Flag, I thought that it was
a sufficient seal to the solemnity of the occasion. But since the
understandable feelings and enthusiasms of members have led to the making of
several speeches, I felt that I should say a few words.
I had the privilege of serving in the Committee
which finalised the form and shape of this Flag. It was made clear there that
this Flag did not contain any communal motives or significance. While we
have retained essentially the banner under which the fight for India's freedom
was fought and brought to consummation, the Flag as hoisted today has certain
qualities and motives which should be cherished by every nation that treads the
path of progress and freedom. I believe sincerely that this is really a
beautiful Flag in its physical aspect and also in its motives. Today this Flag
is the Flag of the Nation. It is not: the Flag of any particular community, it
is the Flag of all Indians. I believe that while this is a symbol of our past
it inspires us for the future. This Flag flies today as the Flag of the Nation,
it should be the duty and privilege of every Indian not only to cherish and and
live under it but if necessary, to die for it.
Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafar (East Punjab: Sikh): *[Mr. President, I feel
that after the speech of such great men as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sir
Radhakrishnan, who have so brilliantly interpreted the colours of the flag I
need not say much. I have stood up only with the idea of associating myself
with those sentiments. The sacrifices made for this flag and in the cause of
the country's freedom have been pathetically narrated by Pandit Nehru in his
own inimitable style. Under this Flag, my community mustered around the Indian
National Congress and contributed its utmost to those sacrifices, I think no
one shall be happier than the Sikhs to see those sacrifices flowering and
bearing fruit today. But there is one thing and that is unavoidable that
flowers are never without thorns., At this hour of happiness, I feel that many
of my brethren. who were one with us at the time of making sacrifices could not
now be here with us to share our happiness. It may happen sometimes that a
thorn is useful in heightening the beauty and charm of the flower. I am only
trying to give vent to emotions which fill my heart at the though as to how
many sacrifices we had to make to see this flag up in the air. We have reached
the position today that we can install our flag wherever we like, Now it is
equally incumbent upon us to maintain the dignity of this fluttering Flag.
Perhaps at times we may have to make the same
sacrifices to keep it aloft as we have had to achieve it. Therefore, I
promise on behalf of my Sikh community that they shall continue to make
sacrifices for upholding the honour and dignity of the flag with the same
Vigour, daring and fearlessness, as they have shown in the cause of the
country's freedom. With these words, I support the Resolution moved by
Panditji.]*
Mr.
H. J. Khandekar (C.P. & Berar: General):
[Mr. President, I support the Resolution on this flag as moved by the
Honourable Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. You know what great Sacrifices have been
made by us to maintain the honour of this Flag in this country; and how many
sacrificed their lives, got their children trampled were killed and destroyed.
The British Empire used all their power to destroy this Flag; but we the
inhabitants of this country always cherished and adored it This Flag, under
which we find Free India and which we wish to hoist ,over Free India, is the
Same Flag which even today giver, us strength to free ourselves.
This Flag, has three colours.
One is saffron which is related
to our Own community, I belong
to the depressed classes and I Wish to remind you that where Shivaji was in
power and when a chance of freeing this Country and establishing a Hindu Raj
arose our community sacrificed lacs of
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*[ English translation of Hindustani speech ends.
persons under this
saffron banner. For example, the Iron Pillar of Sidhanath Mahar in Koragaon.
reminds us of that age even today.
Here is the Flag. It has three colours. The first one is related to my
community. The second colour which is white denotes peace and tranquillity and
indicates unity amongst all the communities in this country and for this reason
this Flag represents every religion and every language in the country.
As the President of the All
India Depressed Classes Union, I wish to give this assurance before the House
that my community shall always follow the Flag which we are adopting today.
With these words, I support the Resolution on the Flag on behalf of my own self
and community as a whole. If the honour of the Flag, maintained by us even up
to this day is a besmirched any time, my Community along with other inhabitants
of the country will sacrifice themselves to save the honour of the Flag. With
these words I beg to support the Resolution.]*
Shri Balkrishna Sharma: +[Mr. President, Sir, when my leader Pondit
Jawaharlal Nehru has expressed such lofty sentiments today on this occasion, I
myself thought no speech should be delivered after that. But the conventions
prevailed and members of every group have expressed their ideas, here. On the
suggestion of my elders, I also submitted my name to the President and wish to
express myself briefly before you today.
This day, the day of moving this resolution by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is a
day of congratulations our country and its history. When I was listening to the
speech of Pandit Nehru, I felt as we had finished one part of our Journey and
were beginning the next. Now, when the first part of our journey comes to a
close, we feel obliged to look back. In the history of the last twenty years, a
great man, born amongst us, has so melodiously and artistically harmonized our
life that it would be ingratitude on our part , it we do not bow to him. It is
not possible to enumerate in this short time, what Mahatma Gandhi has given us
and contributed towards our national life and what is being given by him to us
even now. But if you take a little trouble and go back to the circumstances
prevailing 27 and 28 years ago, you will find what great progress has Been
made, in our country through the efforts of the world's greatest leader. There
was a time when Congress was merely passing resolutions and assembling for
three days during Christmas and it considered that its duty ended there. When
Mahatma Gandhi said that we would not get independence by passing resolutions,
and that strength was necessary to obtain rights, the nation looked at him in
bewilderment and thought the he had gone mad. The message of gaining
strength for a nation without arms appeared to be a mad idea in the history of
the world. The world thought of only one way as means of attaining national
rightsand that was- the way of violence. Should we not remember today that
development- of mass consciousness in the country, which was carried out by
Mahatma Gandhi by non-violent methods? It appealed to the people and they
organised. I think that it was the greatest gift of Mahatma Gandhi that he
changed a mere resolution-passing Congress into a fighting body. His second
great gift to our country was that the Congress which worked only for three
days (in a year) was changed into a permanent Organisation. His third great
gift is of a national language. We used to express ourselves in a foreign
language. Mahatma Gandhi by offering us Hindi as a National language,_ gave us
a chance to feel and awaken our national sentiments. One of those boons is that
of the Flag which has been offered by him to this country. Thus centralising
the collective strength of our country in the form of this flag, he inspired us
to proceed and march on the way to sacrifice. Today, on behalf of all of us, I
offer my homage at the feet of this great man.
When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wag addressing us, I looked at him and felt
what had been done by this great man to our country. How much idealism have we
attained through him and how much sense of service
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*[English translation of Hindustani speech ends.
+[English translation of Hindustani speech begins.
and devotion have we imbibed through him? On behalf of you all, I offer my
respects to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatmaji. When I was listening to his
speech, I felt that one part of the journey is coming to an end. An idea crept
in my mind that now we have to see what next we have to do. Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru interprets the Chakra in the centre of our National Flag as an indication
of movement. It reminds me of the old message which I had read in
Brihadaranyaka Upanished
"Remaining asleep is Kaliyug, opening of eyes is Dwapar getting up is
Treta and moving about is Satyayug". Today Pandit Jawaharlal after
giving us the message of motion in the form of this chakra, is once again
taking us to Satyayug. Upanishad writers say: "Charaiveti, Charaivet"
Bhagwan Buddha himself has said "Charaiveti Khihave Charaiveti".
"Go on, endeavouring continually, go on again and again, there is no place
for rest." On behalf of the congressmen today, may I give this assurance
to our leader Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru "Dear Captain Under your leadership
we shall try to follow you with all our strength."
Today on this occasion I salute the National Flag and pray to God that a new
era may dawn upon this country, a new earth and a new sky may be formed in this
country which may be able to give a message of eternal peace to the entire
human world from under this Flag].*
Pandit Govind Malaviya: +[Mr. President, Sir, when I came here today I had
not the slightest idea that we would speak anything about this Flag. But when
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the beloved leader of the country, made his speech, a
wave of joy enthusiasm arose in our hearts and we felt a desire to pay our
tribute to the National Flag on this solemn and auspicious occasion. Thus, Sir,
I also sought your permission to speak a few words.
The importance of a national flag does not depend on its colour, its bands or
its other parts. The flag as a whole, is important and other things-the colours
etc., that it contains-are immaterial. The flag may be of a piece of white
cloth of any other insignificant material but when it is accepted as a National
Flag, it becomes the emblem of national self-respect. It becomes an expression
of the sense of freedom a nation. It becomes its dearest object. For the last
27 years this tricolour flag has been uppermost in our thoughts and
imagination. We have made numerous sacrifices for the freedom of India with this
flag in our hands. As I have already stated, when a flag or any other thing
is accepted by a nation as its ensign, it becomes the dearest object of the
nation and assumes the most important and the highest place in the life and
history of that nation. This, our Flag, has been the symbol of the hopes and
dreams of four hundred million souls for the last 27 years. For the honour of
this flag millions holding it dearer than their lives, suffered tremendously.
Numberless people went to jails leaving their children starving. People had
their heads and bones broken by the lathis of police and the military to keep
it aloft. Unarmed youngmen and students of the country opened their chests
before the bullets of the English military or police to protect the honour of
his flag. For generations it has been our flag and the great feeling, emotion
and enthusiasm we have in our hearts for this flag is beyond human description.
We are eager to pay our tribute to this flag.
Sir, this flag for which great sacrifices have been made and about which
there are many 'gathas' of patriotism, heroism and sacrifices, has become the
centre of our thoughts. There are various opinions today in our country about
this flag. Many members have given notices of various resolutions about this
flag. I know every mover has his own individual and important reasons for
moving his resolution. If their Suggestions are not accepted here, it does not
mean that we do not appreciate the thoughts of any particular individual or
section. We do not certain the idea that because some differences of opinion
exist regarding this flag, any-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*[ English translation of Hindustani speech ends.
+[English translation of Hindustani speech begins.
body forfeits his claim to it. On the contrary, we hold that he has similar
claims to it as we have. I would like to address a few words to those who have
opposed the adoption of this flag, or have moved amendments for effecting some
change in it, I would like to address a few words to the Hindu members who have
approved of the flag. There maybe some ground for their complaint but it should
not be forgotten that this flag has been the emblem of our highest hopes and
noblest emotions for 27 years. It has been the advocate, after 27 years'
struggle and sacrifices. presenting before the House some other flag for
adoption? The struggle for independence started by the Congress was not on
behalf of any particular community or section. Under this flag, the Congress
and the khilafat, the Hindus and the Muslims together infused the fire of
enthusiasm in the people of this country; and the Sikh community has made
countless sacrifices. Every community in India has shed its blood and has
sacrificed its all. This flag does not belong to any particular community. It
belongs to us all as a whole. The characteristic feature of the flag is this,
that though it belongs to the whole of India, every individual, whether
Hindu, Muslim or Christian can claim it as his own, be happy over it and have
respect for it.
The green portion in the flag may be taken to represent our Muslim friends
the white one the Christians and other communities and the saffron the Sikhs.
Every community is represented in the flag. But it does not mean that these
colours merely represent these communities and they have no other significance.
There may be other interpretations also of these colours. They represent the
Hindus as well. As I have said the characteristic feature of the flag provides
ample scope for every one to think it as his own. In the Vedas "Rta"
has not been defined but It is all embracing and has been extolled by poets and
bards. But no one can identify it with any particular object.
Similarly the great poets have expressed many good ideas in beautiful words
about the various virtues of mankind, e.g., truth, beauty, duty, benevolence,
kindness and filial devotion, All write on the same subject but in their own
way. On the same virtue, one writes some thing and another
some other thing. They express different ideas and different emotions in
different ways. Similarly in the case of this flag, everyone can sing a chorus
in praise of the flag according to his own sentiments. Every community can
think of this flag as its own. Some people have complained in the press that
there should be predominance of Hindu colours in the flag and that the present
flag Should be changed. They ask if along with other communities, have the
Hindus not shed their blood and sacrificed their kin for this flag? How can we
forget the call of those Hindu martyrs through whose sufferings and sacrifices,
these disgruntled (Hindus) have had the chance to see the dawn of independence?
Will It not be sheer ingratitude to them on our part? With due respect, I would
like to tell even the most orthodox Hindus that this flag amply represents the
Hindu sentiments. This flag is the true expression of the sentiments of the
Hindus and Hinduism. The Vedas say that the colour of a flag should be red.
Therefore according to the Vedas the flag of the Hindus should be red. Besides
this, let us interpret it in a different way. The red colour at the top
represents fire and the sun. The white represents the moon. Now according to
the Hindu mythology, the first thing that the Creator (Brahma) did was to
create the sun and the moon. The Hindus, the Aryans-have since their very
beginning been worshiping the Sun, Fire and the Moon, The sun and the Moon are
worshipful deities. This flag represents these vary gods-the fire the sun and
the moon. The green colour at the bottom, as I have said, should be taken by
our Muslim friends to represent them. But at the same time, this colour in a
way represents the Hindus as well. You know of all the nine planets Budha is
supposed to be the most important. This green colour represents the Budha. This
very Budha according to the Hindu mythology, Is the god of wealth. The green
colour of Budha is the emblem of prosperity and happiness of society. That
colour is given in the flag. What better flag can the Hindus adopt for
themselves, than the present one which represents the Fire, the gun, the Moon
and Budha? Apart from this, there is a 'Chakra' wheel in the centre of the
flag. This is very significant. The, Hindus attach great importance to
'avatars'. 'When there is too much of vice, suffering and disturbance on the
earth, according to the Hindu mythology, some Divine Being comes on the stage
to establish order and guide the world to the path of virtue. This Divine Being
is known as our Avatar. Lord Krishna was the incarnation of God. So also was
Lord Buddha. "Sudarshan Chakra" was the divine weapon of Lord
Krishna, Every Hindu knows of 'Sudarshan Chakra.' That "chakra" or
wheel embodied in the flag. Hindus consider Lord Buddha as an Avatar and the
Chakra on the flag represents Lord Buddha as well. And, if the Hindu beliefs
are correct the final incarnation or divine being as already appeared on the
earth to rid humanity of the present terrible turmoil and vices, and to re-establish
peace, justice and order in the world. That Divine Being is amongst us. It is
Mahatma Gandhi. We may not acknowledge him today, as such, but after some time,
the Hindus will consider him as the latest Avatar. His dear charkha is embodied
on the flag. So I can say that every one has got a pleasing feature in the lag
and particularly the Hindus. As I have explained, every part of the flag is
consistent with the religious sentiment of the Hindus. Therefore. far from
opposing it, Hindus should adore it and should be prepared to sacrifice their
all to protect its honour. I am fully satisfied with the flag, but as, some
people wanted some addition and alteration in it I thought it advisable to
satisfy them without making any change in the flag and for this I have made an
attempt I would like to assure them that due consideration was given. to their
proposals and feelings but finally it was decided that the flag under which the
whole country, including those who are opposing it today; fought for freedom,
should be adopted as the
national flag. After the change that has been made in the flag, no Hindu
should have any ground for any dissatisfaction.
Sir, it is our country that has always guided the world. It has brought the
World from darkness to light. As in the past, this country has fortunately for
the world produced the greatest man of the time, who amidst all the crowding
miseries of mankind and under the shadow, of the dark clouds of the third world
war, preceded by two great wars that destroyed the world, is still standing
solid like a rock and a beacon for the-, world. He is proclaiming that madness
should be given up. If the world follows him, there would be Peace and
Prosperity. This flag bears the dear emblem of Mahatma Gandhi.
I pray to God to bestow on us the strength and the wisdom to lead ourselves
and the whole world to its desired destination. It is India and he
alone that can guide the world to its goal. it is India alone that can be expected to
do good to the world.]*
Mr. Tajamul Husain: I want to speak a few words. My name is not on the list
but I will not exceed two or three minutes. Have I your permission?
Mr. President: No I have got more than 25 names on the list.
Mr. TaJamul Husain: I hope I will have your permission afterwards.
Mr. President:, I would request the speakers now to shorten their speeches
as we have got only forty minutes more, so that I may be able to give an
opportunity to as many speakers as may 'wish to speak. I suggest two minutes
for each speaker.*[ ]*English translation Hindustani speech ends.
I call upon Dr. Joseph Alban D'Souza to speak.
Dr. Joseph Alban D'Souba (Bombay:
General): Mr. President: I give you, Sir and the House a guarantee that I am
not going to exceed more than 2 or 3 minutes. I stand here at this Assembly
rostrum first as an Indian and then only as an Indian Christian (Hear, hear)
because Sir, on this day when the National Flag has been introduced and planted
there is jubillation and joy all over the Nation, first in every Indian Home
and along with that in the home of every Indian Christian. Sir, the mover of
this Resolution, the great Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, has in an eloquent and
brilliant manner told us how this Flag, represents, in the first place the
brilliant and great traditions of the past and equally brilliant historic
conditions of the past. Then Sir, he went on to till us what it represents at
present. At present he told us it represents the ups and downs that have
occurred in the progress towards freedom and above all, he told us that it
represents the triumphant conclusion of our fight for freedom. Sir, it is only
meet and proper that the mover of this Resolution should the great Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru and why? Because of his great personality. Sir, what do I mean
by his great personality? If I am to express it as briefly as I can and at the
same time give it all the significance, I can, it is this. His personality,
Sir, is based on all sacrificing and all selfless character, and because it is
all sacrificing and all selfless, it is all-pervading, all permeating and
all-conquering. I need not say a word more on this. It is rot necessary because
the whole of India, nay, Sir, the world knows how this great son of mother
India has immolated himself on the high altar of the Indian Nation Sir, I think
my time is coming to a close. I shall express my heartfelt desire for the
progress of India
under the aegis of the Flag that has been accepted today, by a small Latin
quotation:
"Vivat, Crescat, floreat India"
which rendered in English means-May India under the aegis of this Flag
'live, grow and flourish, to the lasting advantage and glory not only of
teeming millions of citizens of India but may I add, Sir, to the lasting glory
and advantage of the world at large This Sir. is the prayer of this humble
Indian Christian. (Cheers.)
Mr. Jai Narain Vyas (Jodhpur
State): *[Sir, I need not
say much in praise of the National Flag. I want to associate myself on behalf
of the politically backward people of the States, with the chorus of tribute
paid to the
flag. Under this flag not only the people of the provinces but the States
people too have fought for freedom, economic and social, and for liberation
from foreign yoke. Our struggle in the State has been associated with this flag
and with the mover of the Resolution relating to The flag, Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru. Without his guidance the movement of the States people and their
progress would not have attained the momentum it has. Today Pandit Nehru's name
is associated with the flag. Our feelings and sentiments are the same a,, those
of Pandit Nehru. Previously there was a Charkha on the flag and now a Chakra
has been substituted for it. This Charkha is the symbol of activity. Under the
Charkha flag the people of ten provinces have already attained freedom but the
people of the States have yet to attain it in certain respects. I mean we have
to attain responsible government in States.. We do not mean to remove our
ruling princes but we want to have full responsible government under them.
There is no doubt that we will attain our objective under this flag. This is
our national flag. It belongs to all the communities of IndiaHindus, Muslims,
Sikhs and Parsis. Let it fly everywhere in India and on the Viceregal Lodge,
on the hamlets of the peasants and on the palaces of the princes. With these
sentiment, I pay my homage to the Flag.]**[]* English translation of Hinduatani
sPeech.
Shri S. Nagappa (Madras:
General): Mr. President, Sir, I rise to support the Resolution before the
House, moved by our revered leader Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Sir, this is the
Flag under which we have during the last sixty years marched on and have at
last reached victory. We are proud of this Flag. In it there are three colours
and these three colours represent the three communities in our Country who are
united into one. The Flag denotes also what the country desires. We do not
desire to capture other countries, we do not want to be imperialistic, we do
not want to see other countries bowing to us. All that we want is that our Flag
should fly all over the world as the Flag symbolising peace, progress and
prosperity. That is the aim of our country.
Mahatma Gandhi was kind enough to introduce in the Flag the emblem of the
poor man-the industry by which the poor man ekes out a livelihood-the Charkha.
Sir, I come from the Harijan Community which depends very much on spinning and
Mahatma Gandhi has rightly put the Charkha on the Flag. Pandit Nehru was kind
enough to say that this emblem should be on the other side also, if it is nut
on one side. But the Chakra represents not only the Charkha but it happily
represents the progress of the country and it represents the rising Sun, the
rising Sun of the independence of our country. We have been living for two
hundred years in slavery, and now we are at last seeing the Sun of independence
rising in our country.
This Chakra represents also the great Vishnu Chakra-the wheel of the world
that was able to take the whole world to peace, progress and prosperity.
Sir, it is very easy to have a Flag, to hoist the Flag and see it fly over
buildings. But every man must know how to keep the honour of the Flag. Then man
who keeps the honour of the Flag keeps the honour of the whole Nation. The
higher the Flag flies, the greater is the honour of the Nation.
Hitherto, this Flag was called the Congress Flag. Now it cannot be called
the Congress Flag, it will be called the Indian National Flag. Everyone,
whether he be a Muslim, Hindu or Christian, will own this Flag. He has to
defend it and stake even his life, if need be then alone will the honour of our
country be high in the eves of the world.
Mr. Lakshminarayan Sahu (Orissa: General): Sir, I wholeheartedly support the
Resolution that has been so ably, wonderfully, and may I add, magically moved
by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Flag that has been presented to us reminds me
of my own place in Orissa. There is the temple of Jagnnath
in Orissa over which for over a thousand years the Eternal Wheel called the
Neela Chakra has been standing; and with it is
associated the Flag called "Patita Pavan Vana", that is, the flag
which represents the poor people, the untouchables. I wish that on this
occasion all our leaders would make an effort to throw open the temple of Jagannath to the so-called untouchables
who are denied admission into it to-day.
This wheel on this Flag reminds me also of many associations connected with
Kalinga and Magadha
to which latter place you. Mr. President, belong. Asoka from Magadha went
over to Kalinga and fought a great battle. After very heavy carnage, he was
turned into a gentle being the gentle Asoka; and it is there that the Kalingas
in a way conquered Asoka. When I see this Flag here, associated with the name
of Asoka and also with Buddha, I am reminded that our country Kalinga after a great
battle taught a good lesson to Asokaa non-violent one. There are two places in
Orissa even to day where the edicts of Asoka are standing, to tell the world
that we must serve all countries and all humanity, irrespective of caste,
creed, colour and so on. In fact, I feel that this Flag of ours is not only
National, but it is in a way International because thewheel represents the
wheel of eternity. Therefore, all of us, I say, even those of us who were not
with the Congress till yesterday will respect this Flag. This is the Flag which
has become entirely National, completely National today when the Resolution
about this National Flag was moved so ably by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
When I see the three colours on this Flag, I am reminded also of the three
images inside the temple
of Jagannath. Lord
Jagannath represents the blue colour, Balaram represents the white and Subhadra
Devi represents the yellow colour, with Lord Jagannath and Balaram on either
side of Subhadra Devi, in a way defending the Women folk. This symbol I worship
because in a way it is the symbol of my country-the place from where I come to
sit in this Constituent Assembly as a member.
I therefore, wholeheartedly support the Resolution so ably moved by Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Rev. Jerome D'Souza (Madras: General): Mr. President, I thank you Sir, for
giving me the opportunity to join in the chorus of the expression of happiness
on this very auspicious occasion, when India, without distinction of religion
or caste or creed, province or section accepts a National. emblem that will
represent her in the councils of the world. Sir, some of us who have seen
public demonstrations and pageants in foreign countries, have felt humiliation
at seeing our own great land, its vast peoples, its ancient heritage and
culture and its incomparable beauty unrepresented. in these pageants. And when
these strangers looked at us we had to bow our head in humiliation knowing that
in this Comity we had no independent representation. Sir, today this
humiliation ends and if such a pageant should take place, the children of India who may
be present there will share the pride with which other nations greet and honour
the symbols of their country fluttering in the air and their hearts will
rejoice as their Flag will rise in the breeze. That, Sir, is one aspect of it
which, I think, will come home to all of us with peculiar satisfaction.
Better than most people, I take it that our people understand the meaning of
symbolism, of ritualismthe significance of the hoisting of this Flag, and all
that it stands for. Such is our love of ritual, such is the imaginative wealth
with which we surround symbols and signs. Ours is a very happy and singularly
well-conceived symbol with its harmony of colour and with its unique idea of a
circle in the centre into which such a wealth of meaning can be concentrated.
Sir, I am sure many of those who were present will recall the historical
occasion when this very noble building in which we have gathered was
inaugurated. On that day the Viceroy of the day, Lord Irwin, referred to the
circular construction of this building and alluding to one of the noblest of
Cristian English poets, quoted his lines. that he had seen "eternity as a
circle of white light." Sir, this circle. this
wheel, which represents so many thingstime and its revenges. industry and
all its achievements-represents for us also ternity and the values of eternal
life.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru referred to these spiritual values by which a nation
lives and which should be represented by this Flag. Nothing could be more
appropriate and admirable than this circle to represent those spiritual values.
This is the symbol with which India will continue its fight May I be permitted
to say that India will continue its struggle also for peace, and that just as
her soldiers will be encouraged and uplifted by the sight of this Flag in all
righteous warfare against unjust enemies, so also this Flag will stand as a
reminder of our love of peace. May it help us to go forward in all righteous
work and see that all social wrongs are righted. Above all, in every case of
fraticidal warfare, of strife among ourselves, when injustice is done, when
tempers rise, when communal peace is broken up, may the sight of this Flag help
to softenthe harsh and discordant voices, and help us to stand together, as we
have gathered today in unanimity, in happiness is brotherly feeling to salute
this, our National Flag.
Mr. President: There are yet a number of speakers on the list but I had
promised earlier that I will call Mrs. Naidu to make the final speech. So I
request her to address the House.
Mrs. Sarojini Naidu (Bihar: General): Mr.
President, the House knows that I had refused over and over again this morning
to speak. I thought that the speech of Jawaharlal Nehru-so epic in its quality
of beauty, dignity and appropriateness-was sufficient to express the
aspirations, emotions and the ideals of this House. But I was happy when I saw
the representatives of the various communities that constitute this House rise
up and pledge their allegiance to this Flag. I was especially reminded by the
people that sit behind me from the Province of Bihar that it was at the risk of
my life and seat in their province, should I forget to mention that this Flag,
so willingly and proudly accepted today by the House. has for its symbol the
Dharma Chakra of Asoka, whom they claim (I do not know with what historical
veracity) to be a Bihari But if I am speaking here today, it is not an behalf
of any community, or any creed or any sex, though women members of this House
are very insistent that a woman should speak. I think that the time has come in
the onward march of the world-civilisation when there should be no longer any
sex consciousness or sex separation in the service of the country. I therefore
speak on behalf of that ancient reborn Mother with her undivided heart and
indivisible spirit, whose love is equal for all her children, no matter what
corner they come from in what temples or mosques they worship, what language
they speak or what culture they profess.
Many many times in the course of my long life, in my travels abroadfor I am
vagabond by nature and by destinyI have suffered the most terrible moments of
anguish in free countries, because India possessed no flag A few of those
moment I would like to recall.
On the day when peace was signed at Versailles
after the last war. I happened to be in Paris.
There was great rejoicing everywhere and flags of all nations decorated the
Opera House. There came on the platform a famous actress with a beautiful
voice. for whom the proceedings were interrupted while she wrapped round
herself the flag of France.
The entire audience rose as one man and sang with her the National Anthem of
France-the Marseillaise. An Indian near me with tears in his eyes turned to me
and said "When shall we have our own Flag?" "The time will soon
come," I answered, 'When we shall have our own Flag and our own
Anthem."
I was asked to speak at a peace celebration in New York soon after the peace had been
signed. Forty-four Nations and their Flags fluttering in the great hall in
which the Assembly met. I looked at the Flags of all the Nations and when I
spoke I cried that though I did not see in that great Assembly of Free Nations
the Flag of
Free India,
it would become the most historic Flag of the I world in the not distant
future.
It was also a moment of anguish for me when a few months later forty-two
Nations sent their women to an International Conference in Berlin. There they were planning to have,
one morning, a Flag parade of the Nations. India had no official flag. But at
my suggestion some of the women Indian delegates tore strips from their saris
sitting up till the small hours of the morning to make the Tri-colour nag, so
that our country should not be humiliated for the lack of a National Banner.
But the worst anguish of all was only a few months ago, when on the
inspiration of Jawaharlal Nehru the Nations of Asia met in Delhi and affirmed
the unity of Asia. On the wall behind the platform there was the flag of every
nation of Asia. Iran
was there, China was there, Afghanistan was there as also Siam. Big
countries and little countries were all represented but we had exercised a
self-denying ordinance, so that we might scrupulously keep or pledge that no
party politics would be permitted at the conference. Can you not understand and
share with me the anguish of that decision which excluded the Tricolour the
Congress Flag from the Asian Conference? But here today we retrieve that sorrow
and that shame: we attain our own Flag, the Flag of Free India. Today we
justify, we vindicate and we salute this Flag under which so many hundreds and
thousands of us have fought and suffered. Men and women, old and young, princes
and peasants, Hindus and Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Zorostrians, all of
them have fought under this Flag. When my friend Khaliquazzaman was speaking, I
saw before me the great patriots, my friends and comrades of the Muslim
community who had suffered under this Flag. I thought of Mahomed Ali, of Shaukat
Ali, of Ansari and of Ajmal Khan. I could mention the smallest community in
India, the Parsi community, the community of that grand old man Dadabhai
Naoroji, whose granddaughters too fought side by side with the others, suffered
imprisonment and made sacrifices for the freedom of India. I was asked by a man
who Was blind with prejudice: 'How can you speak of this flag as the flag of India?
India
is divided.' I told him that this is merely a temporary geographical
separation. There is no spirit of separation in the heart of India. (Hear,
hear). Today I ask one and all to honour this Flag. That wheel, what does it
represent? It represents the Dharma Chakra of Asoka the Magnificent who sent
his message of peace and brotherhood all over the world. Did he not anticipate
the modern ideal of fellowship and brotherhood and cooperation? Does not that
wheel stand as a symbol for every national interest and national activity? Does
it not represent the Chakra of my illustrations ad beloved leader, Mahatma
Gandhi and the wheel of time that marches and marches and marches without
hesitation and without halt? Does it not represent the rays of the Sun? Does it
not represent eternity? Does it not represent the human mind? Who shalt live
under that Flag without thinking of the common India? Who shall limit its
functions? Who shall limit its inheritance? To whom does A belong? It belongs
to India.
It belongs to an India.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru told us that India has never been exclusive. I
wish he had added 'India
welcomes all knowledge from friend and toe alike Did she not? Have not all the
cultures of the world contributed to the ocean of her culture? Has Islam not
brought to India
the ideals of democratic brotherhood the Zorostrian his steadfast courage, who
fled from lran with a blazing log from their fire temple, whose flame has not
perished these thousand years? Have not the Christians brought to us the
lesson. of service to the humblest of the land? Has not the immemorial Hindu
creed taught us universal love of mankind and has it not taught us that we
shall not judge merely by our own narrow standard but that 'we should judge by
the universal standard of humanity?
Many of my friends have spoken of this Flag with the poetry of their
own hearts. I as a poet and as a woman, I am speaking prose to you when I
say that we women stand for the unity of India. Remember this Flag there is
no prince and there is no peasant, there is no rich and there is no poor. There
is no privilege there is only duty and resibility and sacrifice. Whether we be
Hindus or Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Zorostrians and others, our Mother
India has one undivided heart and one indivisible spirit. Men and women of
reborn India.
rise and salute this Flag I bid you, rise and salute the Flag. (Loud cheers).
Mr. President: I would ask Members to express their assent to the Resolution
which has been placed before them and show their respect to the Flag by getting
up and standing in their places for half a minute.
The motion was adopted, the whole Assembly standing.
Mr. President: I have to make one announcement before we adjourn. A question
was put to me yesterday about the future programme. I have had consultations
with some of the Members and with the staff of the Constituent Assembly I am in
a position to state that it is possible to complete the discussion of the
Report of the Union Constitution Committee within this month and, if we do
that, say by the 30th or 31st of this month, we might adjourn this session.
We shall be required to be here
again on the 15th of the next month when power will be actually transferred to
the people's representatives by the Representative of the British Government.
When Members come here for that function I suggest that we might continue our
sittings after the 15th August and take up the Report of the Union Powers
Committee. If this is acceptable to the House (Hon'ble Members: 'yes')
we may also have the Report of the Minorities Committee and we may hope to
dispose of that also during the next session.
The Honourable Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru: Mr. President, Sir, may I
respectfully suggest that the
two Flags which have been
displayed this morning may be specially preserved and subsequently deposited in
the National Museum (Applause.)
Mr. President: I accept that suggestion.
An Honourable Member: I request you on behalf of the House to convey our
homage to Mahatma Gandhi and tell him that we are observing the day very
magnificently.
Mr. President: I will do that with the greatest pleasure."