"Whatever the Constitution may or may not provide, the welfare of the country will depend upon the way in which the country is administered. That will depend upon the men who administer it. It is a trite saying that a country can have only the Government it deserves. Whose statement is this?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:

The correct option is Dr. Rajendra Prasad. This profound statement was delivered by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly, in his Valedictory Address on November 26, 1949, the day the Constitution of India was formally adopted. His words encapsulate a crucial philosophical realization about governance: that a written constitution, no matter how meticulously drafted, is merely a framework—a machine, as he sometimes referred to it. Its success or failure is entirely dependent on the integrity, commitment, and character of the people who operate it—the administrators, politicians, and citizens. This quote serves as a prophetic warning that while the Constitution provides the ultimate ideals of justice, liberty, and equality, the real essence of Indian democracy would rely on ethical execution and public spirit. Dr. Prasad emphasized that if the people chosen to govern are self-serving or corrupt, even the best constitution cannot save the country, echoing the old adage, "a country can have only the Government it deserves." His intent was to instill a sense of responsibility in the future leaders and the electorate regarding the enduring spirit of constitutional governance.

The incorrect option is 1:

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, often hailed as the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution and Chairman of the Drafting Committee, delivered a famous closing speech on November 25, 1949, addressing the future challenges of Indian democracy, particularly the risk of hero-worship and the conflict between political equality and social inequality. While Ambedkar’s speeches were equally monumental and contained warnings about democracy's stability, they focused more on the potential dangers arising from abandoning constitutional methods and remaining silent on social injustices. Though his concerns align with the spirit of governance, this specific quote emphasizing the dependency of the country's welfare on the character of its administrators is not attributed to him but to Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The incorrect option is 2:

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, was a leading figure in the Constituent Assembly and articulated the vision of a modern, socialist, and secular nation. His significant addresses, such as the 'Tryst with Destiny' speech, focused on the grand ideals of India's independence and the creation of a strong, unified nation-state. Nehru's major contribution to the philosophical framework of the Constitution was the Objectives Resolution, which laid the foundation for the Preamble. While Nehru certainly believed in the importance of leadership and commitment, this quote, with its specific focus on the vulnerability of the constitutional "machine" and the character of the men administering it, is not found among his most famous Constituent Assembly remarks but is a precise quote from Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The incorrect option is 4:

Dr. K. M. Munshi was a respected member of the Constituent Assembly, known for his instrumental role in various committees, including the Drafting Committee and the Order of Business Committee. He was also one of the key authors of the "Munshi-Ayyangar Formula," which resolved the dispute over the Official Language of the Union. Munshi's contributions were central to shaping several key provisions and he was a notable intellectual force during the debates. However, the powerful statement in question—underscoring that good governance is dependent on good people, regardless of the text of the Constitution—is specifically recorded as belonging to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, marking the conclusion of the constitutional process.