The 71st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on May 31, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Constitutional Literacy for Social Cohesion”.
The speakers believed that only by having knowledge and awareness about the constitution, can citizens play a constructive role in the development of the country.
The first guest on show, Dr. Jamil Chitrali, Head of the Department of Anthropology, University of Peshawar, while elaborating the concept of the constitution, said that the constitution of a state usually evolves and is influenced by religion, culture, society, values etc. The difference between authority and power is that the former comes with laws whereas the latter comes with one’s will.
Constitution guides and empowers state, government and citizens and deviation from constitution holds them accountable and subject to law. Public’s literacy in the core constitutional values; their rights and responsibilities enshrined in there, is paramount to strengthen democracy, social cohesion and peace. Compliance with the constitution is the most essential prerequisite for egalitarian democracy as the constitution considers all members of the society as equal citizens and makes no discrimination on the basis of color, cast or creed.
It is the responsibility of state to give opportunities of development to the youth given their potential, talents, energies and significant percentage in the total population.
The second guest on show, Ms. Kiran Arshad, CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon Youth Workshop’s alumni and student of Iqra University, shared her experience before and after participation in the capacity building workshops organized by CRSS. She said that she got to know about her rights as well as responsibilities as an equal citizen of Pakistan after getting education on constitution. Constitutional awareness is critical to be able to participate in the community development process and make one’s contribution as a youth leader. Compliance with the constitution serves as a lifeline for a country’s stability, peace and progress and that is only possible through constitutional awareness.
It is the responsibility of the youth to learn and spread awareness about constitution, besides adopting the core constitutional values. Constitutional awareness can delegitimize and dispel the extremist ideologies and perspectives – respectively – from the society. Only abiding by the constitution and adherence to rule of law can help ensure smooth functioning of the state and its relationship with the citizens.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.