Why is 26 January celebrated as Republic Day in India

India celebrates its Republic Day every year on 26th January. It is one of the most significant holidays for the countrymen and while 15 August marks the Independence Day, Republic Day reflects something different. This is the day when India officially turned into a sovereign democratic republic, lead and governed by Indian people and laws.

But the day 26 January was not just an accident, but as symbolic choice. This date is deeply rooted in the struggle of freedom of India against British colonial rule, political significance, and the historic adaptation of the constitution of India.

The story of Republic Day did not simply start in 1950. It begins in the December of 1929 when the Indian National Congress held the historic Lahore session. Jawaharlal Nehru provided over this session where he officially rejected the idea of dominion status under British Empire and demanded for complete independence, also called Poorna Swaraj. This resolution was a movement against the economic exploitation, political subjugation, and cultural separation that the Indians faced under the British rule. It was then that the Congress decided that they shall be celebrating 26 January 1930 across India as Independence Day.

On 26th January 1930, Indians took to streets holding public pledges, hoisting the tri-colour flag, and organising demonstration signalling rejection of British rule. Until 1946, 26 January was observed as Independence Day and was a symbol of aspiration and resistance. It was an ode to the Indian spirit that manifested a free and sovereign nation.

India gained independence from the British role on 15 August 1947. However, the Independence was not complete. India was still governed as a dominion by a governor general who represented the monarch under the British crown. In order to express itself as a truly sovereign nation, India needed a republic form of government and a written Constitution. Thus, a constituent assembly was formed in 1946, with the drafting committee chaired by Dr BR Ambedkar.

The drafting committee worked on the drafting of the Constitution of India for 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949, but it did not come into effect at that very moment. Thus, the constituent assembly that also drafted the Constitution of India selected 26 January 1950 as the date of enforcement.

The historic Pune Swaraj pledge in 1930 was a symbolic date for the Indian nation. Thus, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to connect India’s republic enforcement and declaration of the state to this date. The constituent assembly, therefore decided that they shall honour the sacrifices of the freedom fighters who had celebrated 26 January for nearly 2 decades as the day of Independence and thus selected 26 January 1950 as the day when India would become a sovereign democratic republic officially.

On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India came into force and Dr Rajendra Prasad took an oath as the first president of India. He replaced the British governor general as the head of Indian state signifying India’s transition into a self governing republic from a British colony.

Republic Day for India is not just a public holiday, but a celebration of India’s struggle for freedom, its democratic identity, and values enshrined in the Constitution of India. This day is a constant reminder of the values of Poona Swaraj. It reflects the importance of self rule, dignity, and freedom which are idealised in the Constitution of India. The Indian Republic Day marks in establishment of the aspirations of freedom movement, and the realities of self-governance. Every year, it is celebrated with vigour and vision, symbolising India’s unity and unwavering commitment to democracy.