Who among the following was not member of Drafting Committee ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

[Detailed explanation of why it is correct — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

The correct answer is K. Santhanam. The Drafting Committee was one of the most important committees established by the Constituent Assembly on August 29, 1947, with the crucial responsibility of preparing the draft of the new Constitution for India. This committee consisted of seven distinguished members, led by its Chairman, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. K. Santhanam, while a prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle and a member of the Constituent Assembly (he later served in the Lok Sabha and as Governor of Vindhya Pradesh), was not appointed as one of the seven members of this specific, crucial committee. His contributions to the constitutional process, particularly debates on finance and centre-state relations, were significant, but he did not hold the position of a Drafting Committee member responsible for reviewing and finalizing the structure of the draft Constitution itself. The committee's formal membership list, which included Dr. Ambedkar, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, K. M. Munshi, Mohammad Saadullah, B. L. Mitter (later replaced by N. Madhava Rau), and D. P. Khaitan (later replaced by T. T. Krishnamachari), confirms that K. Santhanam was not part of this core group. Therefore, he is the individual among the choices who was not a member.

The incorrect option is 1:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar was a highly distinguished member of the Drafting Committee. He was an administrative expert who later served as a cabinet minister in the Union government. His role in the committee was crucial, particularly in defending the draft Constitution's provisions during the Assembly debates. He is especially noted for being the architect of Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. His expertise in law and administration made him indispensable to Dr. Ambedkar's team. Therefore, stating that he was not a member is factually incorrect.

The incorrect option is 2:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer was a renowned lawyer and an integral member of the Drafting Committee. He brought immense legal wisdom and experience to the task of formulating the Constitution. He actively participated in the deliberations and contributed significantly to the committee's work, particularly concerning the judiciary and fundamental rights. His support was instrumental in the passage of several complex legal provisions. Along with N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar and Dr. K. M. Munshi, he formed the troika of legal experts supporting the Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar. Hence, he was definitively a member of the Drafting Committee.

The incorrect option is 3:

[Detailed explanation of why it is incorrect — include conceptual, or contextual depth.]

Dr. K. M. Munshi (Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi) was a distinguished lawyer, educationist, and politician who served as a core member of the Drafting Committee. His unique contribution came from his being the only Congress member on the Committee, ensuring effective coordination between the Congress leadership in the Assembly and the Drafting Committee itself. He played a vital role in drafting various provisions and successfully navigated the political nuances involved in constitution-making. His inclusion was essential for balancing the political and legal expertise within the committee, confirming his membership status.