The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Constitution of India was not drafted in a vacuum; it represented the culmination of principles, values, and consensus that evolved over decades of the nationalist struggle. The Constituent Assembly served as the body to formalize these pre-existing agreements into a legal framework.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct. The Constituent Assembly gave concrete shape and legal authority to principles that had been forged during the freedom struggle. Documents such as the Nehru Report (1928) and the Karachi Resolution (1931) had already established a consensus on core values like universal adult franchise, fundamental rights, and the protection of minorities long before the Assembly met.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect. The shape of the government was not decided instantly or without prior debate. The nationalist movement witnessed prolonged debates regarding the suitability of various systems (e.g., Parliamentary vs. Presidential, Unitary vs. Federal). The decision to adopt a parliamentary form of government was the result of years of deliberation and experience with the British colonial institutions (such as under the Acts of 1919 and 1935), rather than an instant decision.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946, defined the aims of the Assembly. It encapsulated the aspirations and values inherited from the nationalist movement-such as sovereignty, justice, equality, and liberty-and provided the underlying philosophy for the Constitution.
Key Takeaway:
The Indian Constitution is a product of the ideological continuity of the freedom struggle. The Objectives Resolution served as the bridge between the nationalist ideals and the constitutional text.