Populist politics ruining democratic process in state, says Khalsa University VC at Amritsar event
Scholars of political science and social science from different colleges and universities addressed challanges of Punjab at an ICSSR-sponsored national seminar organised by the PG Department of Political Science and Public Administration of Khalsa College (KC).
Dr Jagroop Singh Sekhon, a prominent social and political commentator, in his keynote address, stated that there was a trust deficit regarding the governing institutions and the political leadership. Dr Mehal Singh, Vice-Chancellor (VC), Khalsa University, in his address, also observed that there was a leadership vacuum in the state and pointed out that all populist statements of the political leaders should be legally documented to make them accountable later, as loose statements befool the masses.
“Populist politics is ruining the democratic process in the state,” he said. Principal Dr Atam Singh Randhawa, emphasised that the college was committed to rendering academic and practical knowledge to the students and this seminar was the result of that commitment. Dr Devender Singh introduced the theme of the seminar.
Dr Dawinder Kaur, convener of the seminar, said 27 research papers were presented in the seminar and social scientists like Dr Biswajit Mohanty, Dr Sukhdev Singh Sohal, Dr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Principal Dr Neeru Sharma, Dr Malkiat Singh, Dr Nirmal Singh, Dr Manjit Kaur participated in the seminar as resource persons.
Dr Satnam Singh, Dean Student Welfare and Head of the Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University, while presiding over the valedictory session, observed that the state of politics in Punjab was in a grave situation, but Punjab is known for its resilience and it is only the enlightened participation of the youth that can bring Punjab politics on the right track again.
