NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

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Why were the Socialists initially unwilling to join the Constituent Assembly?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThey believed the Assembly was a creation of the British and lacked autonomy.
BThey demanded universal adult franchise first.
CThey wanted a separate constitution for workers.
DThey were boycotting in support of the Muslim League.

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is They believed the Assembly was a creation of the British and lacked autonomy..

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly of India was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan. While the Indian National Congress agreed to join the Assembly, the Congress Socialist Party (CSP), a radical faction within the Congress, initially opposed participation based on ideological grounds regarding the Assembly's origin and authority.

Detailed Analysis:

They wanted a separate constitution for workers. is Incorrect: While the Socialists advocated for workers' rights and a socialist state, their refusal to join was not based on a demand for a separate constitution for workers, but rather on the political nature of the Assembly itself.
They believed the Assembly was a creation of the British and lacked autonomy. is Correct: The Socialists, led by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, argued that the Constituent Assembly was a creation of the British Government and not a sovereign body. They believed its composition and functioning were restricted by the framework of the Cabinet Mission Plan and that it would be unable to draft a truly independent constitution free from British influence. They maintained that true independence could only be achieved through a revolutionary struggle, not through a British-sponsored assembly.
They were boycotting in support of the Muslim League. is Incorrect: The Socialists were secular nationalists and did not boycott the Assembly to support the Muslim League. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly for its own demand for Pakistan.
They demanded universal adult franchise first. is Incorrect: Although the Socialists criticized the Constituent Assembly for being elected indirectly by provincial assemblies (based on limited franchise) rather than by universal adult franchise, their primary and immediate reason for the boycott was the lack of sovereignty and the belief that the Assembly was a tool of British imperialism.

Key Takeaway:
The Socialists initially boycotted the Constituent Assembly because they viewed it as a non-sovereign body created by British imperialism, lacking the autonomy to bring about genuine independence or radical social change.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

With reference to the "Objectives Resolution" introduced in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. It was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. 2. It proclaimed India to be an "Independent Sovereign Republic". 3. It promised adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes. 4. It explicitly declared that India would follow the American model of democracy. How many of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and nature of the Constituent Assembly of India: 1. The members were elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. 2. The Muslim League chose to boycott the Assembly to press for a separate Pakistan. 3. Initially, the Socialists kept away from the Assembly, believing it was a British creation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the debates on separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. B. Pocker Bahadur argued that separate electorates were necessary to ensure Muslims had a meaningful voice. 2. Govind Ballabh Pant supported separate electorates as a mechanism to integrate minorities into the nation. 3. Sardar Patel argued that separate electorates were the only way to ensure minority representation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the language controversy in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for Hindustani as the national language. 2. R.V. Dhulekar argued that English should be the sole language of constitution-making. 3. The Language Committee decided that English would continue to be used for official purposes for fifteen years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following events occurred during the years immediately preceding the making of the Constitution 1945-1947? 1. The Rising of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy occurred in 1942. 2. The Great Calcutta Killings. 3. The Workers' movements and strikes in various cities. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

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The correct option is They believed the Assembly was a creation of the British and lacked autonomy..

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

They wanted a separate constitution for workers. is Incorrect: While the Socialists advocated for workers' rights and a socialist state, their refusal to join was not based on a demand for a separate constitution for workers, but rather on the political nature of the Assembly itself.
They believed the Assembly was a creation of the British and lacked autonomy. is Correct: The Socialists, led by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, argued that the Constituent Assembly was a creation of the British Government and not a sovereign body. They believed its composition and functioning were restricted by the framework of the Cabinet Mission Plan and that it would be unable to draft a truly independent constitution free from British influence. They maintained that true independence could only be achieved through a revolutionary struggle, not through a British-sponsored assembly.
They were boycotting in support of the Muslim League. is Incorrect: The Socialists were secular nationalists and did not boycott the Assembly to support the Muslim League. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly for its own demand for Pakistan.
They demanded universal adult franchise first. is Incorrect: Although the Socialists criticized the Constituent Assembly for being elected indirectly by provincial assemblies (based on limited franchise) rather than by universal adult franchise, their primary and immediate reason for the boycott was the lack of sovereignty and the belief that the Assembly was a tool of British imperialism.