Harmonising the Trinity

The annual conference touched on many important concepts, including the “Separation of Powers” and the harmonious working of the three organs, with each one doing its job without interfering with the others.

- Vivek K Agnihotri

IT was a grand event, both in terms of conceptualisation and execution, especially in comparison with its predecessors, which used to be fairly routine and nondescript. Organised at various state headquarters by rotation, the annual All-India Presiding Officers’ Conference is attended by Speakers of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies as well as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and about half a dozen chairpersons of legislative councils, with their respective officials in tow.

The first conference was organised in 1921 and, therefore, the present conference was held in the centenary year, although it was the 80th event in the series as some had been skipped a few years in between. This time around, it was quite different. The venue itself was no humdrum urban conglomerate, but an exotic resort in Kevadia in Gujarat (200 km from Ahmedabad). It was in the vicinity of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest, to match the personality of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. He was credited with forging the post-independence unity of 562 princely states with the Indian Union. The event was held from November 25-26 to ensure that it concluded on Constitution Day (also known as Law Day).

Against the backdrop of the Statue of Unity, the theme of the Conference— Harmonious coordination between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary–Key to a Vibrant Democracy—sought to forge a unity of purpose and action among the three organs of the government. And rarely has a Conference been held which the president, vice-president and prime minister all attended like they did this one. Besides talking about the specific theme of the event, they touched upon a wide variety of topics. The concern for unity in diversity was sought to be underscored through recitals from the Vedas and various rich as (mantras) which enjoined us to seek harmony through a meeting of minds.