In a bid to restore what they saw as growing ignorance of principled justifications to policy and falling civil society consciousness and engagement, and promote greater engagement between teachers, students, practitioners and the rest of the legal fraternity, the Law and Society Committee and the Literary & Debating Society of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore came together to organise the NLS Union Debates. The success of the first edition, debating the legitimacy of hunger strikes, featuring Justice Santosh Hegde and Prof. (Dr.) Hargopal, pre-empted many of the legitimacy concerns that were eventually associated with the Lokpal Movement and prompted the organizers to make the event a regular affair open to the public.
Modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge Union Debates, this form of parliamentary debating features three speakers on each team – an expert in the field, a faculty member, and a student of the National Law School. After six speeches, each lasting approximately ten minutes, the floor is thrown open for questions and comments from the audience, after which each team nominates one speaker to deliver the closing remarks for their side. The audience or the “members of the house”, as they are referred to, then vote to decide the outcome of the debate.
Modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge Union Debates, this form of parliamentary debating features three speakers on each team – an expert in the field, a faculty member, and a student of the National Law School. After six speeches, each lasting approximately ten minutes, the floor is thrown open for questions and comments from the audience, after which each team nominates one speaker to deliver the closing remarks for their side. The audience or the “members of the house”, as they are referred to, then vote to decide the outcome of the debate.
The motion for the second edition of the NLS Union Debate is that "Intelligence Agencies in India ought to be regulated by legislation”. In the recent past, the operations of intelligence agencies worldwide are being questioned on the grounds of violating fundamental rights under the official garb of 'higher considerations'. On the other hand, it may be possible to suggest that the public and their political representatives are not competent to understand and take decisions on some matters, especially terrorism and national security. This is made especially confusing as these agencies suggest the need for absolute secrecy for their operations.
This edition features as expert speakers Aditya Sondhi, a practicing advocate and NLSIU alumnus, who is appearing in a PIL before the Karnataka High Court, arguing that the lack thereof is unconstitutional, and in opposition, Dr. S.T. Ramesh, retired DG & IG, as well as former Assistant Director of the Intelligence Bureau in New Delhi. Faculty members Prof. S.V. Joga Rao and Sidharth Chauhan shall be their respective second speakers.
The event will take place on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Opening remarks and clarifications will begin at 5 pm and after a short break around 6 pm, the debate will commence at 6:30 pm.
Date: September 15, 2011
Time: 5 pm
Venue: NLSIU Campus, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore
No comments:
Post a Comment