New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta said on Saturday that constructive dialogue remains the cornerstone of a healthy democracy and a harmonious society.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Seminar on “Vartaman Samay Mein Shastrarth”, Gupta added that the current times are dominated by social media that provides every individual a platform to express opinion but people must cultivate the ability to listen to differing viewpoints.

“Democracy is strengthened when debate is guided by dignity, logic and facts; ‘Shastrarth’ is not about defeating an opponent but discovering the truth,” the Delhi Assembly Speaker said.

The seminar was organised by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) in collaboration with Bharat Bodh Kendra at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

The Delhi Assembly Speaker emphasised that the revival of India’s ancient tradition of Shastrarth is not merely a philosophical imperative but a social and democratic necessity in contemporary times.

Addressing scholars, academicians and distinguished guests, Gupta described Shastrarth as the very soul of India’s knowledge tradition.

Referring to the dialogues of the Upanishads and the historic debate between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandana Mishra, he said that Indian civilisation has always accorded the highest place to reasoned dialogue, intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of truth.

He added that in the Indian tradition, truth was never imposed but tested through logic and debate, giving rise to the timeless principle, “Vade Vade Jayate Tattva Bodhah” — the realisation of truth emerges through discussion and deliberation.

Expressing concern over the contemporary discourse ecosystem, the Delhi Assembly Speaker remarked that while the present age is rich in information, it is increasingly witnessing a decline in patience, listening and meaningful dialogue.

Drawing parallels between Shastrarth and democratic institutions, Gupta said that legislative debates represent a modern manifestation of the ancient tradition of intellectual discourse.

He added that the objective of democracy is not fulfilled merely by the formation of a government through majority support, rather, it reaches its true essence when diverse viewpoints are expressed and deliberated upon in the Legislature.

Meaningful discussions, he noted, generate intellectual churning that ultimately leads to better governance and informed decision-making.

Gupta underscored the distinction between Shastrarth and mere argumentation, saying that the objective of Shastrarth is the search for truth rather than the defeat or humiliation of an opponent.

He said that India’s civilisational ethos values openness, fairness and impartiality, citing the role of Bharati, wife of Mandana Mishra, as the adjudicator in the celebrated debate between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandana Mishra.

He highlighted that values such as self-discipline, sacrifice, compassion and dialogue have been central to Indian culture and continue to offer guidance in addressing contemporary challenges.

Gupta expressed confidence that the deliberations over the two days would help explore ways to revive and contextualise the Shastrarth tradition for modern times.

–IANS

rch/khz