Mock Assembly comes alive

kiranmai tutika I amaravati

On Wednesday, the usually orderly premises of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature transformed into a vibrant learning arena as a full-fledged mock Assembly sprang to life on a specially created set that resembled the real House.

Against the backdrop of this carefully crafted replica, with its Speaker’s chair, member rows, and buzzing corridors, schoolchildren from across the state stepped confidently into the roles of lawmakers in a spirited mock assembly held to mark Constitution Day. What unfolded was not just a simulation, but a vibrant demonstration of democratic curiosity, responsibility, and youthful imagination.

From early morning, the campus buzzed with excitement. Students arrived from all 175 constituencies, many dressed in traditional attire that added a touch of cultural pride to the proceedings. Girls draped in graceful sarees walked confidently beside boys in neatly pressed formals, the attire reflecting their sense of occasion. For many, it was their first time stepping into the citadel of law making they had only watched on live telecasts and the influence of those real sessions was vividly apparent.

Inside the Assembly, the children carried themselves with striking seriousness, mirroring gestures, tone, and decorum akin to seasoned legislators. The mock session began with the election of the Speaker, where consensus, process, and respect were visibly upheld. As Swathi was unanimously elected and escorted to the Speaker’s chair by the student Chief Minister Leela Gautam and Leader of Opposition Soumya, the young participants seemed to grasp what many adults often forget, that the dignity of the House rests on shared respect.

Throughout the session, the students displayed remarkable poise and preparedness. Their debates were crisp, often fiery, but rooted in issues that mattered, especially on mobile addiction among students, agricultural concerns, safety, education reforms, and urban development. The Q&A and Zero Hour were among the liveliest segments, with the student ministers responding with confidence while the Opposition pressed hard for clarity and accountability. At times, the hall echoed with humour, interruptions, and spirited retorts, the essence of a functioning democracy.

When the discussion on the two bills, the Andhra Pradesh Children’s Online Safety & Social Media Regulation Bill, 2025, and the Student Environmental Protection Act, 2025, turned heated, even marshals had to be summoned to restore order. This moment, though staged, gave students an immersive experience of real politics, the conflicts, the disruptions, and ultimately, the passage of legislation by voice vote.

The atmosphere softened again when students gathered for the launch of a special edition of the Indian Constitution designed for children. Later, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh interacted freely with the young lawmakers, fielding their questions, and sharing photographs and lunch, a gesture that left the students thrilled and deeply motivated.

For many of these children, the mock assembly was more than an academic activity; it was a day of belonging. A chance to walk, speak, and think like the leaders they often see on screens. A day where governance felt accessible, and democracy felt personal. And for one remarkable day, these young citizens showed that they understood this better than most.