What Is a Constitution and Why It Matters

By Gunjan Handa

February 28, 2026

What is a Constitution, and why must every citizen understand it? In this episode of We the People by Newsreel Asia, we explain the meaning of a Constitution, how constitutionalism evolved from ancient law codes to modern democracy, and why the Indian Constitution remains central to protecting our rights, liberty and equality. From Aristotle and the Magna Carta to John Locke, Montesquieu and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, this video traces the philosophical foundations of limited government, separation of powers, rule of law and social contract theory.

If you want to understand democracy, governance, fundamental rights and the role of citizens in holding power accountable, this explainer is for you. The Indian Constitution is not just a legal document — it defines who holds authority, how power is exercised, and what limits exist on government. It safeguards fundamental rights, promotes justice and equality, and reflects core values such as secularism, democracy and fraternity.

But a Constitution cannot defend itself. Constitutionalism survives only when informed citizens remain vigilant. Watch this video to understand why knowing the Constitution is a civic responsibility and how it protects you from arbitrary power in a democracy.