Pow woW 2023 Debate Preliminary Information

POW WOW 2023: DEBATE COMPETITION PRELIMINARY
To be held only if there are more than 12 Debaters registering
Date: 04.04.2023 Venue: Hall 1994, Tetso College

33% RESERVATION OF SEATS FOR WOMEN IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS OF NAGALAND

Concept Note

Several groups have protested and threatened to boycott the upcoming Municipal election in Nagaland owing to the reservation of 33% of seats for women, and this issue has greatly divided the society since 2017. While the issue of reservation of seats for women was initially the main issue of opposition by various tribal bodies in 2017, other issues in the Municipal Act, and even personal political issues seemed to soon dominate proceedings. This buried the issue of women reservation without it being given a befitting trial of reason and dialogue. The issue also brought forth the age-old conundrum of traditions against modernity. With the same reservation system in place for the 2023 ULB elections, it remains to see how smooth the process will be. 

For The Motion: There should be 33% reservation for women in municipal elections of Nagaland

In the days of hunting-gathering, the Naga woman’s role was confined to domestic chores. However, in an age where women are equally educated and occupying high posts, contributing all they can to the development of the society, denying them their right to leadership and public space seems wrong. In fact, even societies like those of the states of Bihar, where the education of women is scant and female infanticide high, have implemented 50% reservation for women in the municipalities. The Naga man today perhaps is still caught in the bygone era, and the society is definitely androcentric. Traditional rules belong to the past, the world is changing, and so much we. These customary laws are not handed down from heaven. Besides, elections in Nagaland being so male dominant, makes it practically difficult for women of great calibre to even contest them. 

Against The Motion: There should not be 33% reservation for women in municipal elections of Nagaland

While reserving 33% of seats for women in the municipalities may sound catchy on paper, it would have serious consequences for the public. Various Indian states would have already implemented such reservations, but we have to read between the lines as to why the Indian Government wants to implement such laws on us. While our special rights in Article 371A might not be completely hampered in its entirety, it would mark the beginning of its erosion, to make way for greater intrusions in the future. This can be proved by the fact that the present government at the centre wants to abolish whatever special rights Kashmir also has to make way for uniformity. What fits in New Delhi or New York need not necessarily fit well in the Naga cultural context. Besides, the social progress of every community is different and unique. 

RULES:

Constitution of the teams:

1. 1. The competition is open to all students of participating institutions in Pow woW 2023 (higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels). 
   2. Each institution can send only one debater.
   3. Last date for registration: 2nd April, 2023 (Sunday)

• Registration link: Click Here

1. The teams (for and against), and sequence of speakers will be decided on the 3rd of April (Monday), based on draw-of-lots. 
2. The top 12 debaters as per the final scores will go on to participate in the Pow woW debate finals to be held on April 5 in Lorin Hall. 
3. If there are fewer than 12 debaters registering for Debate, the preliminary round will be cancelled and all contestants will automatically move on to the finals..

The Flow of the Debate:

1. There will be only one round. The debate will open with the team supporting the motion, followed by a member of the opposing team.
2. The opening speaker (chosen by draw-of-lots) from each team, will get additional time (4+1: Warning bell at 4.5 minutes) to set the tone for the debate, in affirmation or negation of the motion as the case may be.
3. The duration given to each speaker will be 4 minutes (warning bell at 3.5 minutes).
4. At the end of the debate, the opening speakers will summarize their team’s views on the motion, beginning with the leader opposing the motion. The time allotted for this purpose shall be 3 minutes. The performance of the speakers, in this case, will not be evaluated for marks in the competition.

Other rules:

1. Negative points may be awarded for violating the established norms of the debate.
2. Use of props (paper chits, clipboards etc.) will not be permitted. Debaters MUST NOT read their arguments.
3. Exceeding the time limit will result in negative marking.
4. No heckling, harassment, or vulgarity is allowed at any time during the debate. The decorum of the house has to be maintained by all debaters.
5. Unparliamentary gestures, words, and actions will not be tolerated and will result in either disqualification or negative marking.
6. In case of dispute in judgement, the matter shall be referred to the honourable judges, whose decision shall be final and binding.

Pow-woW 2023 Debate Preliminary Information download