Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c7.s5.10

c7.s5.10

Kauṭilya in his *Arthaśāstra* describes the assemblies in which discussions on political, social or moral issues are held. He issues guidelines for the royal officer specifying the codes of conduct and maintaining decorum in such assemblies. He should enter the assembly after being permitted by the officer-in-command, should neither sit far away nor very near to his senior officer, should not sit on a seat higher than his senior; should avoid interruption, vulgarity, citations not attested by perception, propositions which are unbelievable or false; should not speak loudly; should not laugh without an occasion, should not break wind or spit. He should also avoid talking with the members, contradicting the view emerging out of consensus, should dress decently.⁷⁷