PATNA, September 29, 2025 — The 16th Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) Parliamentary Debate concluded on September 28th, 2025, following three days of intense, high-quality intellectual discourse. Held from September 26th to 28th, 2025, the tournament brought together 20 teams from India’s most prestigious institutions to compete in the demanding 3v3 Asian Parliamentary Debate format.
The prestigious event commenced with an enthusiastic opening ceremony on September 26th. His Excellency, Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Bihar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his inspiring address, His Excellency reflected on the timeless wisdom of Indian culture, urging students to pursue knowledge, uphold righteousness, and respect diversity. Prof. Dr. Faizan Mustafa, the Vice-Chancellor of CNLU, warmly welcomed the Governor, acknowledging his principled political legacy and expressing gratitude for his historic visit.
Diverse Participation and Challenging Themes
The tournament saw active participation from leading institutions, including IIT Guwahati, Aligarh Muslim University, Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur, Army Institute of Law Mohali, Central University of South Bihar, Kirori Mal College, Indira Gandhi Open University (Delhi), Dharmashastra National Law University, and Himachal Pradesh National Law University, alongside teams from Amity University. This diverse roster ensured a rich mixture of perspectives throughout the preliminary rounds. Debaters tackled a wide array of motions centered on contemporary social, ethical, and political issues of national and international importance. Key themes discussed included:
Indigenous Rights and Ethics: Examining the sensitive question of whether official governmental efforts to contact the isolated Sentinelese tribe should be initiated.
Political Ideology: Engaging in spirited exchanges on the phenomenon termed as the “cult of personality,” specifically debated through the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew and the balance between authoritarian growth and civil liberties.
Social and Educational Policy: Debating whether institutions should prioritize teaching and encouraging emotional regulation over emotional expressiveness in educational and professional settings.
Philosophy and Identity: The later rounds focused on challenging philosophical decision-making, the ethics of memory and identity, and society’s responsibilities towards individuals.
Valedictory Ceremony and Prize Distribution
The tournament’s grand finale and valedictory ceremony were held on the final day, with Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, as the Chief Guest. In his address, Shri Yadav passionately underscored the supremacy and upholding of democracy, emphasizing the essential importance of giving space to disagreement and the opposition’s voice. He highlighted the profound value of debates as a fundamental exercise in democratic discourse, urging the participants to carry the spirit of reasoned argument and critical thinking into their professional lives. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Faizan Mustafa and the university’s Registrar Prof. Dr. S.P. Singh were also present, commending the participants for their composure, reasoned arguments, and exceptional team spirit.
The tournament featured an impressive total prize pool of ₹1,63,000. This included ₹60,000 for the tournament Winners and ₹32,000 for the Runners-up, in addition to the Shailesh Chandra Memorial Best Speaker Award worth ₹12,000 and a Best Adjudicator prize also valued at ₹12,000.
Tournament Winners and Honorees:
The Grand Finale witnessed an outstanding performance, with the cross-institutional team from Kirori Mal College and IGNOU emerging as the tournament Winners, claiming the top prize of ₹60,000. The award for Best Novice Team was secured by Central University of South Bihar (CUSB). Individually, the prestigious title of Best Speaker, recognized by the Shailesh Chandra Memorial Best Speaker Award, was conferred upon Aryan Khoker from Kirori Mal College, recognizing his exceptional oratory and analytical skills throughout the tournament. Furthermore, the dedication and fairness in judging were recognized by presenting the Best Adjudicator award to Nandinaey from Dayal Singh College.
The successful conclusion of the 16th CNLU Parliamentary Debate stands as a testament to the Chanakya National Law University’s commitment to fostering a vibrant debate culture and empowering the youth to thoughtfully address society’s most complex and challenging questions.
