Researchers, academicians, students attend a national seminar on ‘One Nation One Election’

The School of Social Sciences at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA) in Jalandhar recently organised a national seminar on ‘One Nation One Election’. This one-day event was hosted in collaboration with Indian Council of Social Sciences Research North West Region Chandigarh’ (ICSSR). 

The national seminar was presided over by Dr. Sanjay Kaushik, Director of the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research, who was the Chief Guest. Warmly welcoming the Chief Guest,  Dr. Neerja Dhingra, Principal at ACFA, along with other guests she emphasised that Apeejay College is based on the principles of its founder chairman late Dr. Stya Paul ji and Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairman, Apeejay Education and Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University. 

Dr Dhingra also shared the glorious history of the college with the august gathering and added, “Our college is soaring high and leaving no stones unturned to reach new heights while adopting the mantra of moral values and preserving the art and culture amongst the youth in this modern era.” She also mentioned that with this seminar being organised here at ACFA on such a relevant topic, I hope that all of us learn something from each other’s research work and perceptions and make sure to use this knowledge effectively in our classrooms with our students. 

Further, she read out the message shared by honourable Chairman Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia. She also added that this seminar will be, “a unique platform for the researchers, academicians and students as the discussion on this concept has garnered significant importance in recent times”.

The inaugural ceremony featured the address by the keynote speaker Professor Dr. M. Rajeev Lochan, Department of History, Punjab University, Chandigarh. Addressing the galaxy of researchers and scholars, Dr. Lochan talked about consensual decision making, the idea of federalism in India and the possibility of one election and also the light on the possibilities that can make the country better. He added, “The purpose of this research work of academicians and scholars is to put forth an opinion before the government in order to make an informed decision.” He finally mentioned, ”Sovereignty in India resides in the people of country and it is perpetual.”

This was followed by the address of the second keynote speaker; Dr. Rajeev Bansal, former Joint Director of Training and Research State Institute of Rural Development, Training Manager, Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, Shimla. Expressing his views on the topic, he said, “We can’t sell anything to the government.” He, in detail, talked about the process of elections and also talked about the challenges, budget, legal concerns of holding the same.

The one-day seminar also featured technical sessions. Speakers for the first one was Dr. Ratan Singh, Professor, Faculty of Law, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur, Professor from the Department of Economics, Institute of Legal Studies, Punjab University, Chandigarh.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Ratan Singh started his speech by praising the Indian constitution and stated that it is one of  the healthiest, strongest, greatest and living constitutions in the entire world. “It is organic and transformative. It imbibes with itself all the issues of the society which in itself is an ever changing concept.”  He asserted the society is moving fast and along with it the constitution also evolves and is always working in order to protect the society and everyone living in it. He also added that democratic process of our country provides everyone the freedom to put forth their opinion even if sometimes its structure seems to be distant from the welfare of the country where the votes are bought and social upheaval could be seen over the time. He also talked about the advantages and limitations of actually implementing one election in one nation.

Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur putting forth her opinion on the said topic talked about economic implementations of one nation one election and added there shall certainly be some challenges of this concept like problem of cost, economic stability and administrative stability. and also some legal amendments and  consensus of all the political parties. She also put forth some suggestions to overcome the same. In the first technical session 23 researchers presented their papers defining their objectives and findings.

The second technical session was presided over by Dr. Satnam Deol, Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University and Dr. Rupam Jagota, Professor and Associate Dean, Department of Law, GNDU as Chairman and co-chairman respectively.

Dr. Roopam Jagota drew the audience’s attention by raising the question whether the notion of One Nation One Election actually leads to the unification of the entire country or is actually threatening the idea of democracy.  She added on the surface level, the idea of one nation one election is quite pleasing but in reality, it is not the path of roses and to actually implement is quite a herculean task. This raises many questions like how shall it affect the political parties and are people of the nation literate enough to understand the motive behind this and thus exercise their right to vote accordingly. She added understanding all the challenges before actually making attempts to implement it is crucial or else it can threaten the very core of peace and democracy in the country. She also raised the questions of the actual electoral process which in itself is a challenging task and then to conduct it corruption free and the financial assistance required to achieve it. She also talked of the eligibility criteria and the basis on which the disqualifications of the political parties can be made.

Dr. Satnam Deol opened his address first by expressing his pleasure for being invited at Apeejay College which is one of the best colleges of North India. Putting forth his views on the topic – One Nation One Election, he asserted in reality it is impractical or nearly impossible. He supports his viewpoint by making the audience reflect on the first General Elections that were conducted in 1952. There were so many challenges due to the right of democracy that can be exercised by all. Dr. Deol also raised the questions on the Structural challenges of the electoral process. He also questioned how with the increasing  population, the number of seats in the government has still remained the same and how even in this modern 21st techno savvy era, till date there has not been any qualification stated or made compulsory for the people that makes them eligible to stand in the elections. He inferred that till these structural and functional challenges are resolved; one nation one election shall remain a dream.

The invigorating one-day national seminar hosted a third technical session which was on virtual mode and that was Chaired by Dr. Rupam Jagota and Co-chaired by Dr. Supreet Talwar, Head of Department of Economics at Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar.

In this national seminar, research papers were presented on topics like impact of social media and electronic and print media on elections, Women Reservation Bill, need and challenges of One Nation One Election, religion and politics, impact of One Nation One Election on the economy etc. All the paper presenters were honoured with the certificates.

Dr. Sanjay Kaushik while expressing his views at the closing ceremony of the National Seminar expressed his pleasure for being present at the college and praised the efforts of the college which it makes for the holistic development of the students who turn to be responsible citizens in the future. He also mentioned that on the path of moving forward, undoubtedly challenges come and that stands true in the case of our today’s motion as well that is One Nation One Election as it shall definitely be the challenging to implement this shall in real. 

Lastly, he congratulated Dr. Neerja Dhingra for successfully organising the seminar. Further, Dr. Dhingra praised the efforts of the seminar coordinators Mr. Vishwa bandhu Verma and Dr. Simki Dev and the in-charges of this seminar, Dr. Monica Anand and Dr. Gagan Gambhir for the immense success of this national seminar.