Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities

History glossary

Also called: Advisory Committee · Topic: Framing the Indian Constitution · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Framing the Constitution"

Meaning

This was one of the most important committees of the Constituent Assembly. Vallabhbhai Patel was its president. It looked at three big questions: citizens' fundamental rights, the protection of minorities, and the tribal and "excluded" areas. Most of its work was done by sub-committees, which are smaller groups that report to the main committee. Its reports decided how the Constitution would protect both individuals and communities.

Example

Under this committee, J.B. Kripalani led the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee and H.C. Mookerjee led the Minorities Sub-Committee. After Partition, the committee's work led to the end of separate electorates for religious minorities. In their place came reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Don't confuse with

  • Drafting Committee: this was chaired by B.R. Ambedkar. It turned all the decisions into the actual written text of the Constitution. It did not decide rights policy on its own.

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