Srinagar, Oct 13: Kashmir Law College, Nowshera, hosted a National Inter College Asian Parliamentary Debate Competition at its campus. Teams from the University of Kashmir, Central University of Kashmir, Vitasta School of Law and Humanities, and institutions from Jammu and Delhi, among others, participated in the day-long event.
The competition, as per a statement, followed the Asian Parliamentary format on the motion: “This House believes affirmative action should be based on economic criteria rather than other factors.” The topic is among the most significant constitutional questions in contemporary
Indian legal discourse.
The event was held under the patronage of Chairmen Altaf Ahmad Bazaz and Abdul Hamid Wani and the guidance of Principal Dr Saba Manzoor.
Tanvir Sadiq, MLA, Chief Guest at the occasion, spoke about the role of youth in strengthening democratic values and institutions, and urged students to engage fearlessly with questions of law, justice and public policy. He noted that platforms like these prepare the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the democratic fabric of the country.
Professor Shahnaz, Head and Dean, School of Law, University of Kashmir, worthy Guest of Honour, spoke about the centrality of debate in legal education and emphasised that the discipline of arguing both sides of a question is what separates a competent lawyer from an ordinary one. She also reflected on the rich tradition of academic and intellectual discourse in Kashmir and encouraged students to sharpen their analytical and argumentative abilities from the earliest stages of their legal careers.
The panel of judges, comprising Dr Mudasir Bhat, Senior Law Faculty, Rashtriya Raksha University, Hakim Yasir Abbas, Assistant Professor, University of Kashmir, and Dr Aneeda Jan, Assistant Professor, University of Kashmir, Shah Amir, Assistant Legal Remembrancer, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, J&K, Mr. Hasnain Khawaja, Advocate, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, provided valuable insights and feedback to the participants throughout the competition, guiding them on the finer points of legal argumentation, use of authority and courtroom demeanour.
The competition culminated in an Open Floor Session in which the top two teams debated before all participants and guests. Results were announced at the closing ceremony.
