Tripura Minister Animesh Debbarma urges the Central Government to introduce Constitutional studies in school curricula. Speaking at “Constitution Murder Day” in Khowai, he emphasized civic education and recalled the 1975 Emergency, stressing the need to raise awareness about Constitutional rights among youth and marginalized communities.
Tripura’s State Minister Animesh Debbarma on Sunday appealed to the Central Government to incorporate Constitutional studies into the national school curriculum. The Minister made this appeal while addressing the public during the observance of “Constitution Murder Day” held at Khowai Town Hall.
Debbarma emphasized the urgent need for educating young minds about the Indian Constitution—its values, rights, and historical context—to foster an informed and responsible citizenry. He expressed concern that many citizens, particularly from marginalized communities, remain unaware of their Constitutional rights due to a lack of foundational legal education.
A Call for Constitutional Awareness
“In today’s political climate, it is imperative that students learn about the Constitution from an early age. Awareness of rights and democratic values must start in classrooms,” Debbarma said, while addressing the gathering.
The Minister stated that while the Constitution is a pillar of Indian democracy, it is often misunderstood or completely unknown to many citizens. He particularly highlighted that the rights granted to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and religious minorities are not widely known or effectively communicated to the public.
By including Constitutional studies in school syllabi, Debbarma believes the government can create a generation of aware, empowered individuals who understand their roles and responsibilities in a democracy.
Recalling the 1975 Emergency
As part of his address, Debbarma revisited the historical period of the 1975 Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Emergency, declared after the Allahabad High Court invalidated Gandhi’s election victory, remains one of the most controversial chapters in India’s democratic journey.
“During the Emergency, press freedom was crushed, opposition leaders were imprisoned, and civil liberties were severely curtailed. It was a dark period in India’s democracy,” Debbarma reminded the audience.
By recalling the Emergency, the Minister underlined the fragility of democratic institutions when Constitutional safeguards are not widely understood or defended by the public. He stressed that awareness and vigilance, which can be instilled through education, are the best protections against authoritarian overreach.
“Constitution Murder Day” Observance
The event, organized at Khowai Town Hall, was chaired by Khowai Municipal Council Chairman Debashish Nath Sharma. It drew the participation of several prominent local figures, including MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, Superintendent of Police Ranaditya Das, Additional District Magistrate Abhijit Chakraborty, and other dignitaries.
The observance of “Constitution Murder Day” served as a platform for open discussions about democratic erosion, Constitutional violations, and the need for civic literacy. Participants voiced concern about increasing threats to democratic values and supported Debbarma’s call for curriculum reforms.
Need for Civic Education in Schools
Experts and educators present at the event echoed Debbarma’s sentiments, stating that including Constitutional studies in school textbooks would help create a more informed electorate in the future. They noted that despite India being the world’s largest democracy, civic literacy remains alarmingly low.
“Teaching students about the Constitution is not just about legal knowledge—it is about shaping values, responsibility, and patriotism,” a participant remarked.
The proposal to introduce Constitutional education aligns with similar suggestions made by civil society and political leaders over the years. However, such recommendations have yet to be widely implemented across the Indian educational framework.
A Step Towards Inclusive Democracy
Animesh Debbarma’s appeal adds weight to the ongoing debate around educational reforms in India. His emphasis on reaching out to marginalized communities and equipping them with Constitutional knowledge highlights the inclusive nature of his vision.
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As the nation continues to grapple with complex socio-political challenges, many believe that instilling Constitutional values in the younger generation is a timely and necessary move.
Whether the Central Government will act on this proposal remains to be seen. However, the event at Khowai has certainly reignited the conversation about Constitutional literacy and the role of education in strengthening India’s democracy.
