BOL - The Debating Society

Jamia has an illustrious tradition in university debating, winning several inter-university competitions over several years. ‘Bol’ is one of the most active student societies on the campus.

The motto of ‘Bol’ has been taken from a famous couplet ‘Bol ke lab azaad hein terey’, [Do Speak up, for your Lips and thoughts are Free] by, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

The society has organised a large number of debate competitions, the last one being the National Inter-University Debate Competition on the topic ‘Absolute Freedom Leads to Anarchy’ in 2012. Around 40 teams from across the universities of the country took part in the same. Teams from IIT Mumbai, St Xaviers, Jaipur, GB Pant University, Jammu University, Aligarh Muslim University, MCU Bhopal, Banaras Hindu University, and several colleges of Delhi University including St Stephens College, Zakir Hussain College, and Lady Sri Ram College etc gathered at Jamia to debate on this topical issue. The prizes were distributed by Mr Ravish Kumar, Executive Editor, NDTV India. The event received extensive print and electronic media coverage including national newspapers like the Hindu and the regional language press.

With the firm foundation of the legacy of BOL, the Debating Society is ready once again to prove their metal. Convener, Dr. Sheema Aleem and the Co-Conveners Dr. Asmat Jahan and Dr. Naseeb Ahmad, leave no stone unturned to make the coming INTER-UNIVERSITY TRI-LINGUAL DEBATE COMPETITION a bigger success.

Come 26th February, 2013, and the Best Debaters in the country take on each other on the podium. The rules of the competition are as under:

1.   The Debate will be conducted in three languages – Urdu, Hindi and English separately.

2.   Each participating college is entitled to send not more than three teams of two      participants each, in either of the three languages, one member speaking for and the other against the motion.

3.   There will be a winner’s trophy in each language category. In addition, cash prizes will be awarded to FIRST, SECOND & THIRD position in each language category. Participation certificate shall be given to all participants.

4.   Each participant will be given 3+1 minutes to speak. There will be no question / answer session or interjections.

5.   Participants with written speeches will not be eligible for prizes. However, participants will be allowed to consult short notes, if any.

6.   No travel allowance/reimbursement shall be given to the participants. However the organizers shall provide lunch and light refreshments to all participants.

7.   The decision of the judges shall be final and binding. No appeals will be entertained. 

* NOTE: Participants can mail the duly filled scanned copies of their Registration Forms at boljamia@gmail.com
The teams are to submit the original hard copies of the forms on the day of the event.