Delhi-based professor Niranjan Kumar on 30 October 2026 said that organising a Mock Parliament before a general public audience — rather than limiting it to university campuses — could significantly widen political awareness among ordinary citizens. He was speaking at an event held at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi, organised by Citizens for Democracy under its 'Voice of Today's Youth' initiative.

What the Mock Parliament Involved

Young participants simulated parliamentary proceedings by taking on the roles of prominent political leaders from both the ruling party and the Opposition. Kumar confirmed that representations of senior figures — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi — were among those being portrayed. Kumar described the exercise as 'a progressive act' that is common practice in leading universities worldwide, but argued its impact multiplies when taken to public spaces.

Electoral Roll Revision on the Agenda

Kumar said the Mock Parliament could also serve as a platform to inform citizens about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its significance. 'I believe that people should be made aware of SIR's functioning. SIR is important to remove the names of people who have died or moved to some other place. This is an important exercise,' he said. The SIR is a periodic process conducted by election authorities to ensure the accuracy of voter lists ahead of elections.

Claims About External Forces and the 'Deep State'

Kumar also urged participants to engage with what he described as the challenge posed by external forces to India's stability. 'I want the participants who will be part of this Mock Parliament to tell people how external forces are working to debilitate the Indian state,' he alleged, without naming specific countries or actors. He further alleged that certain nations did not want India to advance economically, attributing some domestic developments to what he characterised as the functioning of a 'deep state' — claims he offered without presenting supporting evidence.

India's Economic Rise and Democratic Credentials

Highlighting India's economic trajectory, Kumar said the country had moved from relative economic weakness to becoming one of the world's leading economies, expressing confidence that India would soon become the world's third-largest economy. He described India as the world's largest democracy and noted that its electoral process had attracted international attention, including a reported reference by a US president to India's voting system. He criticised the Opposition's stance alleging irregularities in India's electoral process, arguing it should be viewed against the backdrop of the country's democratic achievements. 'The American president cited our voting system, and the Opposition is fighting against that,' he said.

Broader Goal: Political Education Beyond Campuses

The event sought to immerse young participants in a simulated legislative setting, enabling them to engage directly with issues shaping public debate. Kumar framed the exercise as a form of civic and political education — one that gains additional value when it moves beyond academic institutions and reaches citizens who may have limited direct engagement with parliamentary processes. Organisers have not announced whether similar events are planned in other cities, but the initiative underscores a growing interest in experiential civic education among youth groups in India.