CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 66: UNVEILING OF THE CHARTER

Delhi – Law Ministry Offices, South Block – 15th December 1948

Three days had passed since the quiet meeting in Arjun Mehra’s study, and now a thick leather folder sat open on K.M. Munshi’s desk.

The Law Minister pushed his glasses up his nose and rubbed his tired eyes. He had been reading and analysing for hours, and what he found in these pages was far more than he had expected.

The office smelled of old paper and strong tea. Outside, Delhi hummed with its usual energy, but inside, Munshi felt like he was looking at the future of India itself.

As a respected lawyer and constitution expert, he had expected Arjun’s draft to be a solid piece of work, maybe based on British or American models with some Indian touches. What he found was something entirely different.

This wasn’t just a constitution. It was a blueprint for power unlike anything he had ever seen.

Munshi picked up the first page, written in Arjun’s careful handwriting, and began to read the document that would soon change everything:

Constitution of Bharat

Preamble

We, the People of Bharat, having awakened to our ancient legacy and future destiny, solemnly resolve to constitute this nation into a Sovereign, Culturally-Rooted, Technologically Advanced, Militarily Secure, and Just Republic, determined to:

Secure Justice not merely in word, but through a system that is swift, incorruptible, and fearless, ensuring that delay shall never be a shield for the guilty and that the innocent shall never beg for justice.

Uphold Liberty : of thought, expression, faith, and livelihood, bound by responsibility and reverence for the social fabric of this nation.

Ensure Equality : of all citizens not only in law, but also in opportunity, responsibility, and civil duty, where no entitlement exists without equal accountability.

Promote Fraternity : based on shared sacrifice, mutual respect, and an undivided allegiance to the cultural, spiritual, and territorial unity of Bharat.

Article I: The Union and Its Sovereignty

Bharat shall be a Sovereign Republic, indivisible in its territorial integrity

The Union shall comprise all territories currently administered by Bharat, and such regions as may integrate lawfully hereafter

The national capital shall be Delhi

Article II: Citizenship

Every person born in Bharat or to Bharatiya parents shall be a citizen

Dual citizenship is not recognized unless approved by Parliament

Naturalization shall be subject to cultural integration and loyalty verification

Article III: Fundamental Rights

Right to Life and Liberty

Right to Free and Fair Justice

Right to Freedom of Thought, Faith, and Expression (except when endangering national unity or inciting violence)

Right to Education and Opportunity

Right to Property (subject to national development needs)

Right against Exploitation

Right to Constitutional Remedies

Article IV: Duties of Citizens

Duty to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of Bharat

Duty to pay taxes honestly and on time

Duty to report corruption or injustice witnessed

Duty to participate in community or civil volunteer work annually

Duty to serve the nation if called for in times of crisis

Article V: Executive

The President shall be the ceremonial head of the Republic

The Prime Minister shall be the Head of Government

Council of Ministers shall function under the leadership of the PM

No person under criminal conviction may hold public office

Article VI: Legislature

Parliament shall consist of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Laws passed shall not contradict this Constitution

Monthly Judicial Accountability Reviews shall be held

Emergency sessions can be called by PM during crises

Article VII: Judiciary

The Supreme Court shall be the highest court

High Courts shall function under the Nyayagati Yojana

Judges shall be appointed via transparent process under the Legal Corps of India

Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), under Home Ministry, will assist Judiciary in enforcing court verdicts

All courts shall follow Mandatory Justice Timeline Charter

Article VIII: Emergency Powers

Can be declared during war, internal trouble, or extreme disaster

Civil liberties may be limited under clear oversight

Duration shall not exceed 6 months without Lok Sabha approval

Article IX: Penal Code Structure

1. First Degree Crimes – Child labor, Theft, Minor assault, Civil fraud

· Max: 10 years imprisonment

· Min: 5 years + 10 lakh fine

2. Second Degree Crimes – Communal violence, Serious assault, Abuse of constitutional laws

· Max: 50 years imprisonment

· Min: 30 years + 50 lakh fine

3. Third Degree Crimes – Forced conversions, Murder, Rape, Terrorism, Sedition, Espionage, National sabotage

· Punishment: Death penalty or Life imprisonment without parole

4. Any citizen convicted of Second or Third Degree crimes permanently loses:

· Benefits from Government schemes

· Voting rights

· Eligibility to run for office

· Right to form any political, religious, or social organization

Article X: Amendment Process

Requires 2/3rd majority in both houses of Parliament

Cannot override core articles without public referendum and the majority in total number of states in the Republic that support the process.

Article XI:Law framework

· Constitution holds primacy over all legal frameworks, and any personal law that contradicts it shall be rendered invalid and unenforceable.

Article XII: Anti-Segregation law

Absolute Criminalization of Discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, region, or occupation

· The Constitution recognizes no classification of persons by caste, sub-caste, sect, or inherited status. No civil document, government record, legal filing, or institution shall include, reference, record, or consider caste-based identity.

[A/N: Caste-based identity meaning the categories that were allotted as per different caste will be removed, not removing the surname itself]

· The use, assertion, or enforcement of caste in any form - religious, social, or political - shall be a punishable offense under national law, carrying penalties equal to those of incitement and civil sabotage.

· Birth shall no longer determine any category of entitlement; only merit, verified hardship, or proven capability shall.

· A Caste Eradication Commission shall be formed with the sole authority to audit and investigate illegal caste practices, with power to prosecute violators.

Munshi closed the folder and sat back in his chair. His hands were steady, but his mind was spinning. This document was brilliant and terrifying at the same time.

It looked like a normal democratic constitution, rights, duties, separation of powers, all the things the world expected to see. But every single provision was designed to give the government enormous power while making it look completely legitimate.

The emergency powers could be used whenever the Prime Minister decided there was a crisis. The justice system would be fast, but it would also be completely controlled by the state.

The duties of citizens were so broad that almost anything could be called unpatriotic. And the criminal code was so harsh that anyone who opposed the government could be locked away for decades.

It was democracy in form, but something else entirely in practice.

Prime Minister’s Office, South Block – Later That Day

That afternoon, Arjun called two men to his office: V.D. Savarkar, the leader of the new Bharatiya Jana Dal party, and C. Rajagopalachari, the Information Minister. Both men entered to find Arjun standing by his window, looking out at the India Gate in the distance.

"Gentlemen," Arjun said, turning to greet them with a confident smile. "The moment we’ve been working toward is almost here. The draft constitution is complete, and is currently being reviewed by Munshi-ji.

We need to make sure its adoption shows everyone what a strong, vibrant democracy looks like."

He walked over to Savarkar first. "Sardar-ji tells me you’re excited about the Bharatiya Jana Dal’s role as the voice of nationalist principles. Your party will be central to this process. Parliament will conduct its first ever meet on January 5th, 1949 to debate the constitution.

Congress will present the draft, and your party will lead the opposition response. There are actually several issues that have not been included in the draft for now, I’m sure your party will be able to spot them."

Savarkar’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had been waiting for - a chance to put his party on the national stage as a legitimate opposition force.

"Prime Minister, the Bharatiya Jana Dal is ready for vigorous and constructive debate. We’ll make sure the public hears a clear alternative voice, one that is strongly in line with to India’s strength and cultural heritage."

"Perfect," Arjun replied. "And I want that debate to be truly robust. Questions about the balance of powers, the role of states, the emphasis on duties - these are all fair points for discussion. The world needs to see a genuine democratic process at work."

He paused, his gaze sharpening.

"But the final adoption needs to happen on January 26th, 1949. That date will mark India’s true rebirth as a Republic. Your party should debate with enough energy to build public support, but conclude decisively on that specific date. The image must be one of unity and purpose."

"Is there anything special about that date, Prime Minister?", Savarkar couldn’t help but ask it.

Arjun paused, he did this because he wanted to align it with the Republic day from his original timeline. After all, the date has become more than just a celebration day. It has become something similar to an emotion. Emotion of every patriot from his time.

He smiled a bit as he thought about it.

"Nothing especial, Savarkar-ji, I just think 3 weeks’ time is enough for such a major event. Neither too less, and nor too time taking."

Savarkar nodded, it made sense after all.

As Savarkar prepared to leave, he assured Arjun again, "Don’t worry, Prime Minister. The BJD will play its part. For us, National unity comes first."

Arjun then turned to Rajagopalachari. "Your role is just as important, Rajaji. Starting tomorrow, the press needs to begin extensive coverage of our cabinet’s work on the draft constitution. Not leaks, but carefully planned stories.

Show the thoughtful debates, the serious legal principles we’re considering. Make people feel the historical importance of this moment."

Rajagopalachari nodded, already thinking about headlines. "We’ll present it as a period of intense democratic discussions. The nation will feel like they’re part of this grand conversation."

"Exactly," Arjun confirmed. "The world expects democracy. We’ll give them a performance that convinces everyone. So compelling and natural that no one will question the final result."

After the two men left with their assignments, Arjun returned to his desk. The quiet room seemed to hum with possibility. Everything was falling into place—the plan was already drawn, the stage was set, and the actors knew their parts.

In just a few weeks, India would have a new constitution that looked like everything the world expected from a modern democracy.

But beneath that familiar surface, every gear would turn according to his design, every check would serve to strengthen rather than limit power, and every balance would tip toward the future he envisioned.

The constitutional clock was ticking toward a moment that would reshape not just India, but the very idea of what democratic governance could become in the hands of those who truly understood how to use it.

And in the growing confidence of his smile, Arjun Mehra knew that every thread of India’s destiny was being woven exactly as he intended.