Baijayant Jay Panda and Shashi Tharoor shed light on their idea of India, the constitution and a diverse India on the third and final day of Arth – A Culture Fest Season 4
The two dignitaries in conversation with journalist Aarti Tikoo, spoke about uniform civil code, individual rights, minorities, secularism and much more in a session titled – Whose Idea of India is it Anyway?
INVC NEWS
Mumbai,
After two terrific days of sessions revolving around the rich history, culture, heritage, art, music and more of India, the country that we love and adore, Day 3 of Arth – A Culture Fest Season 4 got off to a great start. National Vice President for Bharatiya Janata Party – Shri Baijayant Jay Panda alongside author and Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram –Shashi Tharoor delighted one and all the in a session titled – Whose Idea of India is it Anyway? that was moderated by journalist Aarti Tikoo.
Sharing his perspective on what must be done, Shri Baijayant Jay Panda, said, “When we say that we believe in the constitution, we also believe in its directive principles. There is an unfinished part of the constitution – the directive principles of implementing the Uniform Civil Code that grants equal rights to all individuals. In a democracy, everyone has the same rights. But there are groups who put forward this idea that India does not want a uniform civil code. They believe in group rights rather than individual rights. That must not exist in the world’s largest democracy.”
Taking a deep dive into what his idea of India represents, Shashi Tharoor commented, “My idea of India is the one that’s embedded in the Indian constitution. It left people in no doubt that what had been created was an inclusive India. That a country where citizenship would be amongst equals. It wouldn’t matter what your caste, religion, language at home or region of birth was. None of these considerations would impede your rights and opportunities. It was a country built on institutions and a constitution. That’s the idea of India that we’ve always celebrated. It embraces our diversity as a gift of life and something to be joyful about.”
In addition to this session, the third and final day of Arth – A Culture Fest Season 4 witnessed distinguished speakers and panelists from all walks of life come together and speak on a host of diverse topics such as India’s 75 Years’ Journey Through the Lens of a Bureaucrat, Politicians and Beyond, How the Revolutionary Movement and British Responses Still Define India, India’s Soft Power: An Advantage Waiting to be Harnessed?, Revisiting India’s Constitution, Looking Inward: Meditating to Survive A Changing World, The Rise of the BJP: The Making of the World’s Largest Political Party, Is Hinduphobia for Real?: Global Responses, Whither India’s Opposition: Are we Staring at a Political Vacuum? and a Shatabdi Kavi Sammelan: Kaviyon Ka Bharat along with the event culminating in a headline act by B Praak.
