Constitutional Perspectives on Democracy and Development: A Transformative Workshop

By Niharika Negi

‘Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people’, was a phrase that once held little meaning for me until I embarked on a transformative five-day workshop at the School of Politics, hosted by Dialogues on Democracy and Development, a collaboration between Azim Premji University and Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) in Bengaluru. This immersive experience redefined my perspectives on democracy, development, the role of the state, and my responsibility as a citizen.

The mission of the Dialogues on Democracy and Development group, founded by Anjor Bhaskar, faculty at Azim Premji University and Sushant Kumar, Social Impact Communicator, Mantra4Change, is to foster discussions around the foundational values of democracy, recognising that diverse interpretations and applications of these values often lead to conflicts and polarisation. With a focus on the principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, democracy, environment, and sustainability, the group aims to equip participants with a deep understanding of the Indian Constitution, its Preamble, democratic principles, and their implications for addressing developmental challenges, both, locally and globally.

Participants of the five-day workshop

The participants of this workshop included people from diverse professions, including lawyers, professors, accountants and citizen movement activists.

In his inaugural address, Father Dr Sham P Thomas, Director of ECC, elaborated on the vision of the School of Politics and its commitment to nurturing constitutional literacy. Father Thomas emphasised humanity’s inherent unity that transcends divisions, advocating for an acceptance of diversity while maintaining the essential unity of all individuals. PSS Thomas (Retd, IAS) in his keynote address, shed light on the significance of the Constitution and highlighted the work of the Constitutional Conduct Group,¹ which promotes democratic ideals. His words underscored the importance of upholding human rights within a liberal democratic framework.

 Father Dr Sham P Thomas delivered the opening speech, followed by the lighting of the lamb by the day's chief guests, Mr and Mrs P.S.S.Thomas

 
P S S Thomas delivered the Keynote Lecture on the Constitution and Sushant Kumar presented the booklet on Fraternity, published by Dialogues on Democracy and Development to Mr and Mrs P S S Thomas.

As a 19-year-old economics undergraduate, I felt slightly overwhelmed among older, more experienced participants. However, my trepidation dissolved as the workshop commenced. The facilitators created an inclusive environment that encouraged active engagement, dispelling my initial apprehensions. Rather than passive listeners, we became active contributors, sharing ideas and experiences that showcased the essence of democratic dialogue. The traditional lecture format gave way to dynamic discussions, revealing the true spirit of democracy.

Before attending this workshop, my understanding of a democracy centred on voting rights. Through a thoughtful activity led by Indira Belde, a Core Working Group Member of the Bengaluru Navanirmana Party, I delved into the intricate processes and challenges of Indian elections, urging the participants to think about the importance of being aware and participating in a democracy. The activity included a voting procedure in which groups were divided and asked to conduct an election campaign and consider the difficulties they encountered. The diverse perspectives of participants illuminated the complexities of our polity, expanding my comprehension beyond the surface.

Indira Belde facilitating a session on electoral challenges.

A session on the principle and practice of democracy traced democracy’s evolution, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘The Hind Swaraj’ to foster critical reflections on our political system was conducted by Sandeep Anirudhan, Founder, Citizens’ Agenda for Bengaluru, Coalition for Water Security, and Bengaluru Agenda for Mobility. This exploration extended beyond the workshop as many of us delved further into the ideas in the book.

Sandeep Anirudhan, Founder, Citizens' Agenda for Bengaluru, Coalition for Water Security, and Bengaluru Agenda for Mobility, taking the session, The Principle and Practice of Democracy.

Sessions on liberty, fraternity, and equality, led by Sushant Kumar, highlighted the nuanced aspects of these principles. We understood the crucial difference between substantive and formal equality – a difference that is extremely critical to understand but is understood by very few. The group exercises helped participants deepen their understanding of these concepts and be able to apply them in their daily lives. The concept of substantive equality, which acknowledges the struggles of the marginalised, resonated with me. We explored economic inequality’s role in shaping social injustice, recognising the intricate connections between societal dynamics and justice.

Sessions on liberty, equality, and fraternity

The session on fraternity introduced us to the concept of social endosmosis, emphasising the positive impact of inter-community interactions. In the session on liberty, we learnt about the fascinating ‘harm principle’ – a principle that underscores individual freedom within limits that prevent harm to others. Throughout the workshop, these principles found expression in respectful and open exchanges of ideas.

Diving into India’s development landscape, we delved into topics, such as health and nutrition, gender, tribal rights, and environment and sustainability. Discussions unveiled the often-overlooked challenges that society faces.

The concept of speciesism left a lasting impression on most of us, prompting us to reconsider the unequal treatment and discrimination against other species. A thought-provoking documentary called ‘A Prayer for Compassion,’ was shown to us. The film raised awareness about animal agriculture and its ethical implications. The film was followed by a discussion facilitated by Krish Kurva, a passionate climate change activist, who stressed the value of traditional foods and a compassionate lifestyle. He spoke about the need to give voice to the voiceless, including both plants and animals. He mentioned how individual actions can instigate significant change by giving reference to the Khadi movement. I was moved by the film and the discussion and was impressed by how Krish had changed his lifestyle to adopt a non-violent existence. The discussions around the documentary sparked intense conversations beyond the learning room.

Krish Kurva facilitating the discussion on the documentary, 'A Prayer for Compassion'.

Dr Sarasu Esther Thomas, Professor of Law and Coordinator, Centre for Women and the Law, highlighted lingering gender disparities in public and private spheres. She also unveiled the impact of patriarchy on women’s lives. Her emphasis on increased female representation in parliament for better decision-making resonated with me.

 
Ester Thomas presenting the session on gender discrimination in Indian politics.

Sukirti Pant, Creative Director of Programmes, Via News Didi, conducted an eye-opening session on the impact of social media on our thoughts and behaviour. She spoke about the dangers of fake news, which floods our feeds and how it can threaten the foundations of our democracy. Through participatory activities, we learned how misleading news is spread through social media and how we can engage in fact-checking to prevent the spread of fake news. As participants, we learned a valuable lesson: never believe sensational, eye-catching headlines; look beyond the headlines.

Sukiriti Pant discussed the dangers of fake news (misleading information) for our democracy and how we can protect ourselves from it.

This intense, five-day experience left me profoundly transformed. I strengthened both my theoretical and practical grasp of Indian democracy. Experts guided us through diverse subjects, from health, environmental sustainability, and youth leadership to democratic challenges. The facilitators imparted knowledge, tools, and networks, nurturing our potential as agents of change. Most importantly, I saw how respectful, substantive dialogue provides a model for engaged citizenship. Our conversations reaffirmed that democracy fosters participation and it also depends upon people’s participation. Armed with fresh perspectives, we left with a renewed commitment to democratic values and driving positive transformation in our spheres of influence. The workshop proved that democracy is not just a concept but a living, breathing dialogue that shapes the present and future of our society. I emerged from this workshop with renewed motivation to promote informed dialogues around constitutional values in my community.

AUTHOR
Niharika Negi, Student BA Economics II Year, Azim Premji University