AIPPM Agenda Overview for S-IMUN'24
AIPPM Agenda Overview for S-IMUN'24
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
LL T
A
Agenda:
“Evaluating the Implications and Reforms of the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)”
Executive Board:-
Yoghan Faria (Head Chair)
Ritvik Jack (Vice- Chair)
Jessica John (Moderator)
CONTENTS
Letter From The Executive Board
Rules Of Procedures
Introduction
Issues To Disscuss
Summary
Terms To Know
2
Recommended Topics To Read
Terms To Know
Questions To Consider
Tips To Research
3
LETTER FROM
THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD
Honorable Delegates,
Welcome to the All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM) at the Stanes: International
Model United Nations (S-IMUN)! We’re excited to have you join us for what promises to
be a day filled with intense discussions, innovative solutions, and memorable
experiences.
As your Head Chair, I, Yoghan Faria, along with our Vice Chair, D Ritvik Jack, and our
Moderator, Jessica John are here to make this conference as rewarding and enjoyable
as possible. We’re not just here to lead; we’re here to support you, challenge you, and
watch you thrive.
In this committee, you’ll have the chance to step into the shoes of political figures,
navigating the landscape of policy and public opinion. Representing a political party is
not easy—you’ll be balancing principles with practicalities, handling opposing views, and
working toward solutions that can truly impact people’s lives. And while it may seem
daunting at times, remember that growth often comes from the toughest challenges.
Regardless of your prior experience as a parliamentarian, we assure you that the agenda
at hand can be picked up and discussed by those who haven’t participated in an MUN
before, and those who live and breathe conferences.
We’re all here to learn from one another. So ask questions, take risks, and most
importantly, be yourselves. Bring your passion, your curiosity, and your ideas into this
room. Don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts or listen with empathy. Every opinion
matters, and every contribution counts.
This guide is a very simple overview of the agenda at hand. We encourage all of you to
research further and present your arguments in a dignified manner.
We can’t wait to see what each of you brings to the table, and we’re honoured to be part
of your MUN journey. Let’s make this AIPPM session one to remember!
Yoghan Faria - Head Chair D Ritvik Jack - Vice Chair Jessica John - Moderator
4
ABOUT THE
COMMITTEE
All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM)
In the AIPPM, you will step into the shoes of real Indian political
leaders, speaking their words, representing their ideologies, and
defending their decisions. It’s a space where different opinions
collide, where heated debates are not just expected but celebrated.
This is the essence of democracy—where every voice matters, and
every perspective has a place.
So, buckle up and bring your best arguments to the table. Welcome
to the AIPPM—where the politics is real, the debates are lively, and
the decisions are yours to make.
5
RULES OF
PROCEDURES
1) Roll Call -
At the beginning of the committee and before documentation,
the EB shall be taking a roll call. During this time, a parliamentarian is expected to
raise their placard and confirm their presence with “Present” or “Present And
Voting”. Based upon the roll call, there shall be three kinds of majority decided
upon by the EB:
2/3 Majority = ⅔ of the total number of committee members present. This shall be
the minimum number of parliamentarians required to pass one of the following
motions: Motion to Adjourn Committee, Motion to Table a Bill, Motion to Move into
Voting on a Bill, Motion to move into a Question and Answer session on a bill. This
will also be the minimum number of votes required to pass a bill.
2) Opening Statements -
These shall be 60 seconds ( 1 Minute ) speeches given by parliamentarians to
present their views on the agenda. We shall be recognizing points of
information on these speeches to promote debate. This speech shall only take
place once for each delegate.
We encourage all of you to have your opening statements ready as a priority.
3) Address -
First person pronouns are strictly Prohibited in this committee by the Parliamentarians you
represent.
6
4) Bills
Regarding the bills, we expect the ruling party and their allies to submit the
bill as a Bloc or an Alliance to show their unity. However, members of the
opposition may submit bills individually, or as an Alliance or a Bloc based
upon their stance.
5) Press Release
Press Releases shall be marked and must be based upon actual committee
proceedings. No fictional evidence will be tolerated. These releases will be sent to the
WhatsApp group AIPPM after review and can be used as supplements during
debate.
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
LL T
A
8) Position Papers
Position Papers are mandatory for this committee and will be carried out a good
amount of marks if submitted and papers containing AI plagiarised content more
than 20% will be immediately scraped off by the Executive Board.
Further instructions regarding ROP will be disseminated through specific committee
orientation classes or on the day of committee [Link]
7
INTRODUCTION
India’s identity is rooted in justice, equality, and freedom—values intricately woven
into our Constitution, which serves as both a symbol of our shared ideals and the
foundation of our rights. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA),
established as a safeguard against terrorism and unlawful activities, underscores
our nation’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and unity. Yet, like any powerful law,
the UAPA has sparked a lively debate around where we should draw the line
between necessary security measures and the preservation of individual rights.
At the heart of this debate lies the balance between state security and fundamental
rights.
The UAPA grants authorities the power to detain individuals without bail for
extended periods, challenging the constitutional guarantees of life and liberty
enshrined in Articles 21 and 22, which protect individuals from arbitrary detention.
The Act’s expansive definitions, particularlyOLITICAaround
L PAR
“unlawful activities,” intersect
A P TIE
DI SM
IN EE
with freedoms protected by Article A
LL 19—the right to free T expression—and Article 25—
the right to religious freedom. Over time, the UAPA has not only addressed violent
extremism but has also been invoked in cases involving activists, journalists, and
dissenters, raising questions about its scope and application.
This conversation brings to the forefront essential legal protections found in India’s
Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which traditionally prioritises fair procedures,
access to legal recourse, and the right to bail under ordinary circumstances. The
UAPA, however, departs from these principles in favour of security, granting
considerable authority to bodies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with
limited judicial oversight. Such broad powers, although vital for combating
terrorism, can sometimes blur the line between securing the state and protecting
individual liberties.
As we begin this discussion, we are called upon to consider whether the UAPA
should be reformed to introduce clearer definitions and stronger safeguards,
ensuring that the rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 32—the rights to equality
before the law and constitutional remedies—remain fully protected. Would judicial
oversight mechanisms, for instance, allow the UAPA to operate as a more focused
tool, targeting genuine threats without casting an overly wide net?
8
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
( UAPA)
The law gives authorities the power to arrest and detain people for longer
periods without regular bail, which is meant to help fight terrorism and
serious crimes. However, it has been OLITICcriticized
AL PAR for being too harsh and
A P TIE
DI SM
sometimes misused to target A
LL activists, journalists,
IN EE
T or those with opposing
views. While it aims to keep the country safe, many feel it needs better
safeguards to ensure innocent people aren’t wrongfully punished.
Supporters of the UAPA, mostly from the ruling BJP and other security-
focused parties, argue that the law is important to protect India from
terrorism and violence. They believe it is necessary to have strong laws to
deal with dangerous groups and individuals that threaten the country’s
safety.
9
However, the law has been criticized by opposition parties like the Indian
National Congress, CPI(M), and other regional groups. These critics feel
that the UAPA gives the government too much power, which could be
misused to target political opponents, activists, and people who speak
out against the government. They worry it limits freedom of speech and
could silence dissent.
Human rights groups, like Amnesty International and People’s Union for
Civil Liberties, also argue that the law is too vague and often misused.
They say it violates basic rights, like the right to a fair trial and free
expression. Since the law allows people to be detained for long periods
without a charge, critics argue that it can lead to wrongful arrests and
unjust treatment. ITICAL P
OL ART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
LL T
A
The main debate around UAPA is finding a balance between keeping
the country safe and protecting individual rights. While the law aims to
tackle real security threats, many believe it needs stronger safeguards to
prevent its misuse and protect the freedoms of ordinary citizens.
10
ISSUES RAISED IN
JUDGEMENT
Several Supreme Court rulings have highlighted key issues in
the application of UAPA:
11
ISSUES TO DISCUSS
The major problems surrounding UAPA today include:
1. Abuse of Power:
The law can be used to target political opponents, activists, and anyone critical of
the government. There’s a concern that it’s often applied more for political reasons
than for actual national security.
12
SUMMARY
Today, UAPA is seen by some as a necessary tool to keep the country safe from
terrorism. However, its wide scope and ability to detain people without trial have
led to serious concerns.
Many believe that UAPA violates human rights and that its provisions are too
broad, allowing the government to useITIit for political repression rather than
OL CAL PART
A P
protecting the country from realL terrorist
IN
DI threats.
IES
M
E
L ET
A
While the government argues that UAPA is essential for national security, critics
believe the law often targets innocent people and undermines democracy by
silencing dissent.
There is a growing call for reforms to ensure that UAPA is only used in cases
where real threats exist, and that individuals' rights are protected.
13
TERMS TO KNOW
Here are some terms that are central to understanding the
debate on UAPA:
Preventive Detention:
Holding someone in custody without trial based on suspicion, even before
charges are filed against them.
Terrorism: POLI
TICAL PAR
TIE
IA S
The use of violence or threats toLLachieve
IN
D
political
M
EEor ideological goals, often
T
A
targeting civilians.
Unlawful Organizations:
Groups that are banned by the government due to their involvement in
promoting violence or terrorism.
Burden of Proof:
The requirement for the accused to prove they are not guilty under UAPA, even
though the usual legal principle is that people are innocent until proven guilty.
National Security:
The protection of the nation from threats like terrorism and external aggression.
14
QUESTIONS TO
CONSIDER
[Link] UAPA too broad in its application? Is it being used more for political reasons
than to fight terrorism?
[Link] can UAPA be reformed to ensure it’s not used to suppress political voices or
target vulnerable communities?
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
LL T
A
[Link] can we ensure that UAPA respects human rights while also addressing real
threats to national security?
[Link] UAPA comply with international human rights standards, and shewhat
reforms are needed to bring it in line?
15
RECOMMENDED
TOPICS TO READ
To further understand the issues surrounding UAPA, delegates should explore these
sources:
16
ABOUT THE
PARLIAMENTARIANS
AND THEIR STANCE
Below is a list of the most relevant political figures, organized by their political
influence and importance in shaping the debate on the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act (UAPA):
1. Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister of India and leader of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), Modi’s
stance on national security and policiesIAsurrounding
POLI
TICAL PAR
TIE
SM
laws like UAPA will drive much
D
IN
of the conversation regarding counter-terrorism
A
LL measures.
EE
T
2. Amit Shah
The Home Minister of India, Shah is instrumental in shaping policies related to
internal security, including the implementation of UAPA. His leadership will
significantly influence discussions about the law's role in national security.
3. Nirmala Sitharaman
The Finance Minister of India is crucial in shaping how national security laws like
UAPA intersect with economic policies, including financial monitoring of unlawful
activities related to terrorism.
4. JP Nadda
The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nadda plays a critical role in
determining the political direction of the ruling party, especially regarding the
application of security laws.
5. Yogi Adityanath
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has been an advocate for using UAPA to curb
violence and separatism in his state. His views will be central to debates on how the
law affects state-level governance.
6. Dr. S. Jaishankar
The Foreign Minister of India will bring a broader perspective to the table,
especially regarding how UAPA aligns with international human rights standards
and India’s foreign relations.
17
7. Subramanian Swamy
A senior BJP leader, Swamy has expressed strong views on national security and
is likely to advocate for the effective use of UAPA as a tool to fight terrorism.
8. Maneka Gandhi
A prominent BJP leader, she has been an advocate for human rights and will
provide insights on the balance between national security and civil liberties.
9. Mamata Banerjee
The Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress, Mamata
Banerjee has frequently criticized UAPA, especially concerning its use against
political opposition.
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
LL T
A
14. P. Chidambaram
A former Home Minister and Finance Minister, Chidambaram has often questioned
the application of UAPA, especially its impact on civil liberties.
18
16. Eknath Sambhaji Shinde
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shinde’s views on the use of UAPA will be
critical in understanding how the law affects larger, multi-ethnic states.
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI M
IN EE
19. Chandrababu Naidu A
LL T
The Leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Naidu’s views on UAPA’s impact on
regional autonomy and the use of national security laws will be significant in the
dialogue.
21. MK Stalin
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the DMK, Stalin has been a vocal
critic of the law, especially regarding its use against political dissent.
23. DK Shivakumar
The President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Shivakumar’s role
in opposition politics makes him an important voice on how UAPA is being used at
the state level.
19
TIPS TO RESEARCH
20
5. Identify Key Stakeholders and Their Interests
Recognize the political parties, leaders, and groups involved. Understand
how they are affected by the issue and what their political objectives are.
OLITICAL PART
A P IES
DI
7. Use Diverse Sources A
LL
IN M
EE
T
Don’t rely on just one or two websites. Look for a variety of perspectives,
including news outlets, academic journals, party manifestos, and reports from
NGOs and government bodies.
21
SUGGESTED MOD CAUC
TOPICS
1. The Legality and Constitutionality of Preventive Detention under
UAPA:
22