The IIDL Model Parliament was held at the RMP-KEC campus in Uttan, Thane. It was a simulation of the actual Indian Parliament and involved 30 students from the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership’s Post Graduate Programme in Leadership Politics and Governance. The students were divided into ruling and opposition parties for debates and speeches.
The event included parliamentary activities such as the oath-taking ceremony for new members, question hour, calling attention motion, and bills. This provided participants with a practical understanding of parliamentary functioning. During the calling attention motion, the students debated the renaming of Aligarh to Harigarh and the ongoing riots in Manipur. They also introduced two bills – the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the finance bill or budget.
Eatala Rajender chaired the model parliament and commended the quality of debates and preparation of the students. Devendra Pai, Course Director of IIDL, added that the event provided practical experience in parliamentary proceedings, drafting bills, and understanding and debating pressing issues.
Nayan Dwivedi, a participant from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, said it was special to present the budget in the presence of the former finance minister of Telangana. Anand Krishna Rapela, who was the Prime Minister of the Model Parliament, added that having Eatala Rajender as the speaker was a learning experience for all.
