Chandigarh: In a historic initiative to foster political awareness and leadership among youth, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will organise a ‘Mock Session’ of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on November 26, exclusively for students from government schools.

Described as a “nursery of democracy,” the event aims to introduce students to the workings of the legislative system, inspiring them to become active, responsible citizens and future leaders.

Students to Role-Play as CM, Ministers, and MLAs

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who is spearheading the initiative, said that one student from each Assembly constituency will participate in the Mock Session.

• The student representing Dhuri will play the role of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

• The student from Qadian will act as the Leader of the Opposition.

• Students from Scheduled Caste (SC) backgrounds will be selected for reserved seats.

• Participants from constituencies represented by AAP MLAs will sit on the treasury benches, while those from constituencies of Cabinet Ministers will play the roles of ministers.

First-Ever Mock Assembly for Govt School Students

Speaker Sandhwan said this is the first time such a session is being held in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
Students of Classes 11 and 12 from government schools will take part, and the session will run for the entire day, mirroring an actual Assembly sitting.

“Students can elect the right representatives only if they have proper knowledge of politics,”
Sandhwan stated, adding that over 2,400 government school students have already visited the Assembly to learn about its functioning.

The Mock Session will help students understand law-making, budget preparation, and parliamentary debate, offering them hands-on exposure to democracy in action.

Empowering Young Minds Through Political Education

Sandhwan emphasised that the initiative reflects the Mann government’s commitment to holistic education — focusing not only on academics but also on social and political awareness.

“We are not just making buildings ‘smart’; we are making our students’ minds ‘smart’ and politically aware,” he said.

The programme, he added, will ignite the passion for nation-building and instill leadership qualities among students, particularly those from remote and underprivileged backgrounds.

A New Chapter in Democratic Learning

During the Mock Session, students will take on active roles — asking questions, debating issues, and simulating law-making processes.
This experience, the government believes, will help them understand the importance of governance, accountability, and civic responsibility.

“When a government school student sits in the same chair where the leaders of Punjab sit, it will give them immense confidence,” Sandhwan said.
“It will make them feel that they are not just citizens but active participants in this democracy.”

Officials described the Mock Session as an investment in the nation’s future — a step that goes beyond symbolic engagement and aims to create informed, responsible, and ethical leaders.

On November 26, coinciding with Constitution Day, these young participants will not only witness democracy firsthand but also embody its spirit, marking a historic moment in Punjab’s educational and political landscape.

A Model for Other States

The initiative has been widely praised as a forward-looking reform in civic education. It highlights that true education is not confined to textbooks but extends to understanding one’s duty toward the nation and society.

The Mock Session, officials said, “will serve as a foundation stone for a golden tomorrow — one where India’s democracy is strengthened by aware, active, and empowered youth.”