NEW DELHI: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is set to host a Mock Legislative Session in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on November 26, aimed at nurturing leadership and political awareness among government school students.
Calling it a “nursery of democracy,” the Mann government intends to familiarize students with the real functioning of governance, law-making, and representation. The initiative seeks to encourage active participation in democracy and foster a sense of responsibility toward the nation among youth.
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan chaired a virtual meeting with district officials, directing them to select one student from each Assembly constituency for participation. The student representing Dhuri will play the role of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while the student from Qadian will assume the role of Leader of the Opposition. Students from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category will be selected for reserved seats. Those representing constituencies of AAP MLAs will sit on the treasury benches, while students from Cabinet Ministers’ constituencies will act as Ministers.
Sandhwan said students of classes 11 and 12 will participate in this day-long session, which will function exactly like a regular Assembly session. “Only when students understand politics and governance can they grow into responsible citizens and choose the right representatives,” he said.
So far, around 2,400–2,500 students from government schools have visited the Punjab Assembly. This upcoming Mock Session, however, marks the first full simulation of the Assembly for students, covering the budget process, law-making, and legislative debates.
The Mann government’s move is being hailed as a transformative step in civic education, ensuring that students not only gain classroom knowledge but also understand democratic functioning firsthand. “This government is not just making buildings smart, but also making minds smart,” said Speaker Sandhwan, emphasizing that such exposure would instill leadership qualities and democratic values in young participants.
When students occupy the very chairs where Punjab’s leaders sit, they will experience the essence of democracy — that governance belongs to the people. This initiative, therefore, represents an investment in the nation’s future, inspiring students to become informed, active citizens and future leaders.
With this Mock Session, the Mann government reinforces its vision of education beyond textbooks, shaping a generation ready to uphold and strengthen India’s democracy.
