Republic Day 2026: How did January 26, which was celebrated as Independence Day, become the date of Republic Day?

The date of 26 January has historical significance in the country’s freedom struggle.

26th January is the date which gives confidence to every citizen of the country to move forward with equality in every sphere of life. While reminding us of the Constitution to which we have this faith, 26th January not only makes us aware of our rights but also makes us aware of our responsibilities towards the country and society as a citizen. 26 January 1950 was a shining milestone in that long historical journey, when this country gave the citizens the right to decide their own destiny through its Constitution.

At the time of adopting the Constitution, there were apprehensions related to it. The makers of the Constitution were visionaries. He had then cautioned that no matter how good the Constitution is, if the people implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. After a gap of 76 years, it can be said that of course a lot still remains to be achieved in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, but it can be said with pride that it has proved helpful in the unity, integrity, progress of the country and peaceful transfer of power through the votes of citizens and successful functioning of governments. Confidence in this becomes stronger when one sees the overthrow of democratic governments in neighboring countries and the series of massacres for power.

Why Republic Day only on 26 January?

The date of independence had to be decided by the British. He chose the 15th of August 1947. But after independence, why was 26 January 1950 chosen as the date of Republic Day for implementing the Constitution? In fact, the date of January 26 has historical significance in the country’s freedom struggle. By 1929, the patience of those fighting for independence had run out. Now the country could no longer tolerate slavery. In the same year, a blunt warning was given to the British government in the Lahore Congress session under the chairmanship of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Declare complete independence for India by 26 January 1930, otherwise we will declare ourselves independent. The British still remained adamant. The heroes of independence appealed to the public to celebrate Independence Day on 26 January 1930. The public gathered in large numbers. On this date, people came out on every road and street of cities, towns and villages holding the tricolor in their hands. The fight was long but there was enthusiasm among the people. Then the tradition of celebrating Independence Day on 26th January continued till 1947. After gaining independence from the British, this golden date was preserved in the memories.

Not just a celebration, a date of accountability

There were laws in India even during slavery. There was a system to implement them. There were courts also. But all this was foreign and for the foreign British rule the people of the country were slaves. The subjects did not have the rights of a citizen. The foundation of the rule rested on loyalty to the British Crown. Twenty years later, when independent India got the opportunity to implement its Constitution, choosing that date was like communicating with history, as if the nation was saying that we have now given constitutional form to our unfulfilled dream. 26 January 1950 changed everything.

The public became the source of power and governance. The people got the right to elect their representatives. These representatives also received instructions and authority to run the government not arbitrarily but in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The soul of the republic is hidden in this. The debates in the Constituent Assembly show that its founders were not concerned only with the transfer of power, but with the creation of a empowered but responsible citizenry. Dr. Ambedkar kept warning again and again that democracy will survive only when social and economic democracy supports it. The date of January 26 is born with this warning – it is a date of responsibility rather than celebration.

full scope for disagreement

Innumerable sacrifices were made in the long freedom struggle of ninety years from 1857 to 1947. A lot of blood was shed and many freedom fighters were hanged. But amidst the pain of partition, while making the Constitution for their governance system, the Constitution makers displayed amazing intelligence, calmness, restraint and foresight while remaining free from prejudices amidst intense hard work. India’s republic is the gift of an inclusive process. This is both its specialty and its challenge.

India neither completely rejected its past nor blindly imitated the West. The Constitution reflects Indian traditions along with modern democratic values, the vision of Gram Swaraj, the Indian interpretation of secularism, the balance of duties with rights. There is room for dissent in this Constitution. It is not final, so arrangements for improvement were made through amendments. This leaves full scope for self-criticism.

Parade of 26 January, not just a display of strength

The parade on January 26 in the capital does not just showcase the prosperity and strength of the country. All this diversity gives the message of unity that despite the differences in language, dress, religions, sects and customs, the entire country is united on the question of the country. It is incomplete to see this parade only as a display of military power. Its central idea is the structure of an organized nation.

The tableaus of the states show that this republic is based not on uniformity but on diversity. Many things look different in them, but everyone has the same flag from their hands to their peak and under that tricolor, everyone has a resolve to protect the unity and integrity of the country. There is hardly any other example like India in the history of the world, where despite so much diversity, the country has been tied together so strongly by its Constitution.

Did power reach the last person?

There have been major changes in the world between 1950 and 2026. India has also changed. Aspirations have increased with the social structure and its thinking. The extent and nature of the challenges facing him have changed. But the basic question of the republic is still the same, is power really reaching the last person? Equality and equality, which is the soul of the Constitution, has it really changed in practice or is it limited to the constitutional articles?

The country has passed through five year plans, industrial, green and white revolutions. Have experienced government controls on economic issues in the socialist system. In efforts to coordinate with the world, doors have also been opened for foreign companies following the path of economic liberalization. Suffers the darkness of Emergency and then rejects dictatorial thinking through votes.

There are many moments of pride in this journey but many challenges still remain. 26th January reminds us of them. Those who have power and government in their hands. Even the opposition which has the right to check that power within constitutional limits. While citizens are concerned about the rights granted by the Constitution, they also have to think about performing their duties.

Constitution is the soul of India

The members of the Constituent Assembly knew that their work was not complete but preliminary. He trusted the wisdom of future generations but also cautioned them. Amidst the noise of saving the Constitution, we should remember those resolutions and apprehensions which were recorded in the debates of the Constituent Assembly. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, had said on 11 December 1946, we are making a Constitution not just for today’s India, but for an India that has not even been born yet.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said in the historic objective resolution on 13 December 1946, this Assembly is not just making laws, it is giving words to the soul of India. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said on 24 February 1948 – If there is fear in democracy, it will remain democracy in name only. K.M. Munshi said on 8 December 1948, We cannot make a Constitution which looks beautiful only in books. He has to move in the society.

On 25 November 1949, Sardar Patel said, the Constitution can keep us united provided we do not make it a partisan weapon. And on 25 November 1949, a day before the Constitution was accepted, Dr. Ambedkar’s most precious warning to the Indian Republic, which is remembered every 26 January, was that, no matter how good the Constitution is, if the people who implement it are bad, it will prove to be bad and no matter how bad the Constitution is, if the people who implement it are good, it can prove to be good.

Also read: Why is Pakistan’s Republic Day on March 23, what is the Lahore connection?