Ashok Nadir’s New Book Released by Supreme Court Judge Justice George Masih, Constitutional Expert and One of the Country’s Senior-Most Lawyers Balram Gupta, War historian Major General Raj Mehta, and Motivational Speaker & Former IAS Officer Vivek Atray
Discourse Emerging from Ashok Nadir’s New Book “The Indian Constitution—A Confluence of Law, Art and History”:
Laws should be framed in such a way that, in the future, the artistic works included in the original Constitution cannot be removed from the copies of the Constitution available in the market through any amendment.
Tampering with the works included as part of India’s proud 5,000-year-old historical legacy is unjustified: Justice George Masih, Judge, Supreme Court of India
Chandigarh: The release ceremony of renowned litterateur Ashok Nadir’s new book, “The Indian Constitution—A Confluence of Law, Art and History,” was held today. The book brings to light an important fact: the removal from commonly available printed copies of the Constitution of the twenty-two artworks that were part of the original manuscript—works that convey India’s continuity and inner consciousness. Among these removed artworks, the seal of Mohenjo-daro reminds us of our civilizational depth; the Vedic ashram depicts ethical and educational balance; and the images of Buddha and Mahavira impart lessons of compassion and restraint in governance. Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata emphasize the timeless balance between rights and duties. Further panels portraying Ashoka, Akbar, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Tipu Sultan, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reflect the spirit of leadership, resistance, and sacrifice that shaped Indian nationhood. Images of India’s mountains, rivers, and seas symbolize tolerance, diversity, and unity.
The chief guest, Justice George Masih, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, explained these historical artworks, stating that they were included as part of India’s proud 5,000-year-old heritage and were meant to convey that rulers must govern with tolerance, foresight, and unity. He said that tampering with these historic works is wholly unjustified.
War historian Major General Raj Mehta, in his address, said that this book was the need of the hour and that Ashok Nadir had presented it to the world at exactly the right time. Calling the deletion of these artworks an act of tampering with the Constitution, he said that removing them shakes the very foundation of the Constitution, which is unforgivable. He added that these artworks were commissioned by Pandit Nehru himself and carried the spirit of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar; therefore, they must remain an integral part of the Constitution under all circumstances. The book, he said, is an important document asserting that these images are the soul of the Constitution and that no interference with them can be tolerated in the future.
Motivational speaker and former IAS officer Vivek Atray praised the book, stating that it is remarkable for an engineer like Nadir to have undertaken such deep research and earned appreciation from leading constitutional experts. He said that the book would awaken future generations to ancient India. Emphasizing that the Constitution is among the most sacred texts, he said that any affront to its sanctity is unacceptable.
Constitutional expert and one of the country’s senior-most lawyers, Balram Gupta, said that copies of the Constitution including these artworks must be prepared without delay, as the Constitution without them is akin to a soulless object; with their inclusion, it becomes a living document.
Author Ashok Nadir, in his address, said that through these artworks included in the “Made in India” Constitution, the framers harmonized antiquity with modernity. He expressed regret that artworks embodying 5,000 years of heritage were removed. He said that the Constitution is among the purest and most pious books, and tampering with it is akin to committing a sin.
The Constitution of India is a living reflection of the nation’s soul—a timeless document that weaves law, culture, history, and philosophy into a single thread. Every nation writes its future in its own way; India chose to write hers with courage and ideals. In this context, the Constitution—divided into 22 parts—features beautifully hand-illustrated artworks on the first page of each part. Sadly, these artworks are missing from the copies of the Constitution available across the country.
According to eminent constitutional expert Balram Gupta, who devoted 50 years of his life to the legal profession, when he learned of this unique feature of the Constitution, he sought to verify its authenticity. He discovered that not only the general public but also legal professionals—and even politicians who govern after taking oath on the Constitution—have for years been deprived of access to the authentic version of the Constitution.
Ashok Nadir said that this crucial fact came to light in February this year when Rajya Sabha MP Mohan Das Agrawal raised a question on the issue. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar clarified that the only authentic version of the Constitution is the one signed by its framers and containing the original artworks. This acknowledgment renewed national reverence for the Constitution, strengthening the view of it not merely as a legal instrument but as a cultural and spiritual heritage.
According to him, each of the twenty-two images conveys India’s continuity and inner consciousness. The seal of Mohenjo-daro recalls our civilizational depth; the Vedic ashram represents ethical and educational balance; images of Buddha and Mahavira teach compassion and restraint in governance. Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata underscore the eternal balance between rights and duties. Panels depicting Ashoka, Akbar, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Tipu Sultan, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose embody leadership, resistance, and sacrifice. Images of India’s mountains, rivers, and seas symbolize tolerance, diversity, and unity.
Beyond its political and legal significance, the Constitution is also a masterpiece of art and symbolism. Its original handwritten version, preserved in Parliament, is adorned with twenty-two hand-painted artworks created by the great artist Nandalal Bose and his students at Santiniketan. Each artwork depicts a defining chapter of India’s journey—from the Indus Valley and the Vedic era to the freedom movement and Independence. These images transform the Constitution from a legal manuscript into a living narrative of India’s soul. Yet for decades this artistic heritage remained hidden, as printed copies included only the text, omitting the visuals that give the document life.
They demanded that, respecting public sentiment, all future publications of the Constitution must include these artworks so that coming generations may draw inspiration from them.
Balram Gupta said that publishing these artworks is essential, as the inclusion of such works in the Constitution reflects the elevated thinking of the many eminent scholars who were part of the Constituent Assembly. Explaining their significance, he added that had he seen these artworks during his legal career, the outcomes of many cases he argued might have been different, as the images convey profound and holistic messages.
Balram Gupta and Ashok Nadir explained that when the Constituent Assembly convened in December 1946, it was not merely drafting a legal framework but weaving 5,000 years of civilizational experience into a shared vision. The resulting Constitution was neither borrowed nor copied; it was born from India’s soul—reflecting its culture, struggles, and core values of justice, equality, and harmony, while remaining adaptable to the dynamics of a new era.
Deeply rooted in India’s historical and spiritual soil, the Constitution draws inspiration from Vedic traditions of self-governance, Ashoka’s compassionate edicts, and the democratic ideals of the freedom struggle. Under the guidance of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the framers blended India’s moral traditions with modern principles of liberty and equality. For them, democracy was not merely a system of governance but a way of life—a moral commitment to human dignity, reason, and social justice. Thus, the Constitution became more than a legal text; it emerged as a civilizational charter—a declaration of faith in truth, tolerance, and dharma.
The Constituent Assembly, representing every region, religion, and language, worked with unparalleled dedication for nearly three years. Every debate, article, and amendment reflected the heartbeat of a newly awakened nation. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. With this, India entered a new dawn as a sovereign republic—free, confident, and united in purpose.
Without these twenty-two images, the Constitution feels incomplete, for they are not mere decorative illustrations but the essence of India’s civilizational identity. They remind us of who we are and what we stand for. Without them, the Constitution would lose the visual narrative of its unity, struggle, and soul. These artworks are as sacred as the words themselves, and their rightful place in the Constitution must always be preserved and honored. In truth, without these twenty-two images, even our existence within the Constitution would seem incomplete—for they give form, color, and soul to India’s living charter of freedom.
Together, these visuals offer a moral commentary on the Constitution, elevating it from a legal document to a sacred chronicle of India’s civilizational journey. They teach that law without culture is lifeless, and conscience without soul is hollow. The Constitution bridges governance and philosophy, rights and duties, tradition and modernity. Even after seventy-five years, it remains alive—evolving with time, yet eternal in essence. It is not merely the supreme law of the land, but India’s living conscience—ancient and modern, diverse and united. In both its words and its art, the Constitution continues to reflect the heart of the nation: a timeless promise of justice, compassion, and truth for all.
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